Chapter 20: Underneath it all
Shalimar woke up, the sun shining through the drapes and into the room. She found her head on top of Brennan's chest and her hand still tangled up with his. Shalimar glanced over at the clock it was almost noon. She knew they had to get up and contact Adam but she was too comfortable to move. The sun was shining too brightly for her to fall back to sleep, so she just laid there on top of Brennan's chest.
She slowly lifted her head off of his chest when she saw the clock hit noon. She knelt on her knees beside Brennan and nudged him gentle. "Brennan, you got to get up," she whispered, nudging him gently.
Brennan didn't stir, Shalimar watched him closely, he looked extremely pale and his chest wasn't rising with the breath he should be taken. "Brennan!" Shalimar was getting nervous. She nudged him harder, he didn't move. Shalimar was beginning to get frantic; she was yelling for him to get up and finally decided to check his pulse. Her hand moved towards his neck, she began sobbing when she found nothing.
"You're not going to die on me again," Shalimar demanded, as she pulled back the covers preparing to do CPR on him.
Shalimar tilted Brennan's head back and pinched the bridge of his nose. She slowly bent down and covered her mouth with his to give him a breath of air. Her eyes widened when she suddenly felt Brennan's tongue in her mouth. She let go of his nose as his hand came up around her head pulling her into a deep passionate kiss.
Brennan slowly propped himself up on his free elbow. He carefully flipped Shalimar on her back so he was now on top of her. He moved his hand across her skin, while he went on with his kiss.
Shalimar let him continue his fun until she had to push him of to get some air. "What do you think you were doing?" Shalimar asked with a pissed off tone in her voice.
"What?" Brennan asked a little confused.
Shalimar smiled, "you scared me half to death. I thought you died again." Shalimar explained as her eyes began watering up with tears.
Brennan just stroked her cheek, "sorry I just wanted to have a lil' fun."
"I thought I lost you again," Shalimar told him looking straight in the eye, trying not to let the tears fall from her eyes.
"Aww Shal, I didn't mean to scare you," Brennan explained mentally kicking him self for pulling that little trick. "I promise never to do that again or leave you for that matter."
"Double promise?" Shalimar asked softly with a huge grin spread across her face.
"Double promise," Brennan repeated leaning down lightly brushing his lips against hers.
"I'm holding you to that," Shalimar told him when he pulled away.
Brennan just smiled and kissed her again. He broke away and Shalimar spoke again, "you know we really should contact Adam, they're probably worried about us."
"They can wait a couple more hours," Brennan explained giving her another brief kiss.
"Brennan, we have to have Adam look at your wounds." Shalimar told him.
Brennan sighed, "Ya I know, but lets just stay here a little longer." Shalimar just looked at him as he began giving her an irresistible puppy dogface that she couldn't refuse; she finally shook her head yes in agreement.
"Good," Brennan gave her a small kiss, then struggled to get off of her, as his ribs were beginning to hurt once again in the position he was in. Brennan closed his eyes once he was off, something wasn't feeling right but he didn't want to tell Shalimar about it not wanting to worry her more than she already was.
Shalimar turned and looked at Brennan who was lying next to her. His whole body was pale and Shalimar could see sweat dripping from his forehead. She reached over placing the back of her hand over his forehead, "Brennan you're burning up." Shalimar told him feeling the immense heat coming from him.
"Na I'm fine, Shal," Brennan tried to comfort her as he tried to sit him self up. "Ahh…" His ribs were starting to press into something.
"You're not fine, look at you…" Shalimar explained showing him all her concern for him.
"Shal trust me I'm fine," Brennan said once again.
Shalimar shook her head, he was being so stubborn and he knew it. "Can I contact Adam now?" Giving him a piercing look, showing him that she wasn't going to give up until he said yes.
Brennan huffed, "ya go ahead."
"You know, you can be very stubborn sometimes," Shalimar said with a grin as she reached over and grabbed her comring.
Brennan just chuckled "well I learned from the best," he immediately braced himself for a swat from Shalimar. Instead he felt a quick brush from Shalimar's lips come across his. He turned his head and looked at her a little shocked, "what was that for?"
Shalimar just bit her bottom lip, "you're just too cute that's all." Brennan smiled at her comment.
She finally glanced down at her palm, which held her comring. Shalimar slowly slipped on her ring and placed near her lips. "Adam, can you hear me?"
* * *
Adam was half asleep when he thought he was hearing Shalimar voice.
"Adam!" He heard again, this time almost falling out of his chair, "Adam!" His eyes widened, beginning to wake up from his almost sleep. "Adam you there?" Her voice rang out again.
Adam quickly brought up his ring, "SHAL? Is that you?"
"Ya it's me," Shalimar's voice replied.
Adam gave a sigh of relief, "thank god! Are you and Brennan okay?"
"I have some cuts and bruises, but Brennan I think something is wrong with him," Shalimar explained.
"What happened?" Adam asked worried about them.
He heard Shalimar huff, "he got beat up pretty bad, and he might have an internal infection or something. I'm not quite sure you better hurry."
"All right I'll get Jesse and Emma up. Where are you two?"
"Ahh… I'm not really sure, some small town in Canada. You'll have to trace my comring," Shalimar told him.
"All right we'll contact you when we get close," Adam explained to her as he began the trace on her ring.
"Okay," Shalimar answered before ending the transmission.
Adam couldn't believe it, that they had actually. Even though he didn't want to admit it he was almost sure that they were dead or on the verge of it. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed the back of his neck before lifting up is ring close to his lips.
"Jesse, Emma!" Adam said then waited.
Jesse and Emma were asleep in bed when Jesse jumped at Adam's voice coming from his comring, "what the hell?" Jesse mumbled angrily to himself.
"Jesse, Emma!" Adam said once more.
Jesse rubbed his eyes and looked over at Emma who was still fast asleep not even hearing Adam. "This better be good Adam," Jesse said with a hint of anger in his voice.
"Shalimar just contacted me," Adam told him.
"WHAT? REALLY? Are you sure?" Jesse started asking a million questions.
"Yes I'm sure; I just got a trace from her comring. So meet me down in the hanger in five minutes," Adam ordered.
"Okay we'll be right down," Jesse replied then looked over at Emma; she looked so peaceful he hated to wake her up. He knew that she would be even more pissed if he didn't do so.
Jesse slowly shook her gently, "Emma hon' wake up."
She stirred for a second but then fell back to sleep, so he repeated it again. "Em you have to get up!"
Emma moaned, "what the hell?" Jesse laughed as she used the same words that he did when Adam woke him up.
He rolled out of bed and Emma sat up slowly watching him put on some pants then hunt for a shirt. "Why are you waking me up?"
"Adam…Shal contacted…him," Jesse said putting on his shirt.
"WHAT?" Emma was a little surprised.
"Adam wants up down in the hanger in less then five minutes," Jesse explained hunting around for his shoes.
"Oh my god!" Emma happily jumped out of bed and started getting dress. By the time Jesse had his shoes; Emma was already at the door waiting for him to hurry up. "Are you ready?" She asked a little impatiently.
"Ya I'm coming," Jesse replied slipping on his shoes and heading over to her. "Let's go!" The two left Emma's room and ran down the hall to the hanger.
The two hurried on to the Helix and found Adam at the controls already programming their destination. "Good for you two to join me," Adam said with out turning around.
"Sorry Adam," Emma said out of breath as the both headed to their own places.
Adam just smiled and started the Helix; they all sat in silence before Jesse finally broke. "Where are we going?"
"Canada," Adam replied.
"Canada?" The two asked simultaneously.
"Yup," Adam answered.
Emma and Jesse just looked at each other shrugging at his answer, both wondering what Shalimar and Brennan were doing in Canada.
* * *
Shalimar just stared at Brennan, "they're coming for us."
"Good, cuz my ribs are starting to hurt now," Brennan replied unable to give Shalimar an encouraging smiled.
Shalimar bit her bottom lip, trying not to show Brennan her dreadful concern for him. But Brennan could see right through her; he reached up and brushed some strands of hair that had fallen in front of her eyes.
"I'll be fine Shal," Brennan told her, finally getting him to smile.
Shalimar hung her head into Brennan's had that was up against her cheek. "I know," she sighed.
Brennan dropped his hand and propped himself up in a higher sitting position. Shalimar could see the sweat sliding down his forehead, and finally pushed herself off the bed and headed towards the bathroom.
"Where are you going?" Brennan asked watching her.
Shalimar didn't reply she just entered the bathroom grabbing a small face cloth from the hanger. Brennan could hear the water begin to run from the bathroom, and Shalimar then appeared holding something in her hand.
Brennan watched her intensely, loving the way she crawled over to him across the bed like a cat on the prowl looking for her pray. Brennan gulped wondering what she was going to do or what she was holding for that matter.
She sat on her knees right beside him, and just grinned holding the cloth behind her back. "What do you have behind your back?" Brennan questioned.
"Oh you mean this," Shalimar pulled out the drenched cloth.
Brennan just raised his eyebrow in question. "I figured cold water would help keep your fever down," Shalimar explained.
She suddenly ran the cloth along his bare chest, sending shivers up Brennan's spine as the cold water hit his body. Slowly moving the cloth up Brennan's body up to his forehead where she held it there.
"This should help keep your temperature down," Shalimar whispered in a nurturing tone.
Brennan sighed and shut his eyes. Shalimar wasn't quite sure that she wanted him to close his eyes. "Hey Brennan?"
"Ya," he mumbled.
"You have to keep your eyes open," Shalimar ordered. Brennan slowly opened up one eyes, but then shut it really wanting to sleep right now. "Please, for me?" She pleaded.
Brennan opened up his eyes hearing the tone in her voice, "all right but only for you." Brennan replied making Shalimar smile.
"Thanks," Shalimar giggled softly then leaned down giving him a small kiss on the lips.
Shalimar just sat by Brennan's side for a half an hour, getting up only a few times to run the cloth under cold water and to turn on the TV for them to watch while they waited.
"How long do you think it'll be?" Brennan finally asked taking off the cloth and placing it next to the bed.
"I don't know maybe a half an hour to an hour," Shalimar replied. "Why?"
Brennan thought for a second, "no reason, just wondered."
Shalimar gave him a weird look, "are you sure?"
"Yup," Brennan said turning his attention from the TV to Shalimar.
"All right," Shalimar replied not satisfied with Brennan's answer.
She looked back over at the TV, as well as Brennan, but when he did he couldn't hold back the painful face as he felt something press up against his lung. Shalimar looked over at him hearing his shortened breath, she only found him giving her a huge smile trying to cover it up. Her heart was tearing apart for him; given her the feeling that she had caused him when she announced that she didn't want to be with him. Shalimar reached over and took Brennan's hand in her own holding it tight.
For the next hour the sat in a romantic type of silence with only a few words about the movie they had been watching. Shalimar let go of Brennan's hand and out up off the bed. "I'm guessing they'll be contacting us soon, we should get ready."
"You're right," Brennan nodded.
"Ok I'll go change, then help you ok?" Shalimar asked him rummaging through the drawers to find some decent looking clothes to wear.
Brennan stared at her, "you're gonna help me?" He was a little surprised.
Shalimar stopped what she was doing, running her hand through her hair getting it out of her face so she could get a better look at him at the angle she was at. "So you're gonna do it yourself huh? Cause you can actually move right?" She asked him sarcastically.
Brennan mumbled to himself looking away from her gaze. "Well no," Brennan returned back to her showing her is sly smile across his face. "I actually thought that you'd be helping me take off my clothes…you know instead of putting them on."
Shalimar glared at him literally daring him to go on, but Brennan just put up his hands in defense really thinking he pissed her off. Causing Shalimar to burst out laughing, "I'll be right back." She grabbed some clothes and headed towards the bathroom.
"Aww, come on Shal you can get dress right here…I promise I won't look," Brennan begged at her retreating form.
Shalimar shook her head no, "in your dreams rocket boy." She then entered the bathroom shutting the door.
"It's not like I haven't seen you naked!" He yelled at her.
The bathroom door flew open, Shalimar's head stuck out and she looked pissed. "You're dead meat!"
Brennan eyes widened wondering what she might do to get him back, but he noticed the corner of her lips curl up into a small smile before she shut the door again. He just laughed and put his hands behind his head and waited for her to return.
Shalimar soon came out dressed in a tight black turtleneck and low cut jeans. Brennan glanced at the clock, "that was quick, only fifteen minutes."
Shalimar grinned with pride, "I think I just set a record for myself."
She walked over grabbing some clothes for Brennan, and then headed over to his side of the bed. Laying the clothes at the end of the bed, she moved over to Brennan slowly helping him to sit up. Shalimar grabbed the black silky button up shirt for him to wear, knowing it would be easier for him to put on.
Brennan really didn't mind having Shalimar help him put his shirt on, especially when he felt her hands run against his arms or chest as she buttoned his shirt for him. "All right now for the pants," Shalimar said standing back.
He raised his eyebrows and swung his legs around the edge of the bed so he could stand. "I bet you've been wanting to help me take off my pants for a long time," Brennan joked.
"Don't make me hit you Brennan," Shalimar replied with a laugh, as she held out her hands for Brennan to take.
He slowly stood up and kept one of his arms around Shalimar's shoulders to keep his balance. Shalimar looked up and him smiling, "I hope you're wearing something under these or are you going commando on me?" Shalimar asked before she tempted to pull down his pants.
"No need to worry, Shal I'm not going commando on you," Brennan grinned.
"Aww… too bad," Shalimar teased.
Brennan just looked surprised at her comment, before she untied his pants and dropped them. Brennan just gulped, causing Shalimar to look up at him. "Getting a little nervous?" Shalimar laughed.
"Na, never," Brennan took in a shaky breath.
"Sure," Shalimar said sarcastically as she helped Brennan sit down on the edge of the bed.
She reached over and grabbed the jeans and carefully slid the pant legs on one by one. Shalimar held out her hand for him to stand up again so she could finish putting them on for him. Slowly pulling them up for him, she looked at him biting her bottom lip as she zipped up the jeans.
Brennan never moved, even thought they both knew that he could have done that himself. "Did you enjoy that?" Brennan couldn't help but ask her.
Shalimar just shook her head narrowing her eyebrows at him, "you're pushin' it mister!"
"I would never want to piss off a feral," Brennan began to joke.
"Oh I'm pretty sure you've already accomplished that," Shalimar huffed.
Brennan just smiled as Shalimar tightened up his belt causing him to give a small yelp. "Aww…did I hurt you? I'm sorry!" Shalimar said innocently.
"Ok I guess I deserved that. But still I'm INJURIED!" Brennan whined.
Shalimar grinned at his cute expression, and quickly wrapped her arm around the back of his head brining him into a kiss. Brennan finally broke it so he could get some air into his lungs and brought her into a hug. "I love you Shal," he told her giving the top of her head a kiss.
Her heart fluttered when she heard his words, she tightened her grip around him trying not to hurt him even more. "I love you too." She still worried about him, even though he seemed better, she could feel the intense of body heat coming from him.
Shalimar pulled away from Brennan for a second looking up at him, she smiled really getting a good look at him. His face was a hell of a lot better with out all the blood gushing from the cuts. Shalimar laughed finally noticing his big black eye.
"What?" Brennan gave her a strange look.
"Your black eye," she giggled.
"Well what about your nice cheek bruise," he slowly traced it with his thumb, "and your lovely cuts," he said tracing those as well.
Shalimar smiled and leaned into his hand giving a slight low purr. Brennan grinned and lifted Shalimar's chin with his fingers placing him lips over hers, giving her a soft gentle kiss. The two broke apart and brought them selves into a hug holding each other close.
They stood in a bear hug embrace, until Adam's voice suddenly came form Shalimar's comring. "Shal? Brennan?"
Shalimar pulled away from Brennan, "ya Adam?"
"We are getting close to your location, so can you meet us outside of town?" Adam asked. "Or is Brennan too hurt?"
Shalimar looked at Brennan, "na I think he's fine to move."
"Alright we'll be there in fifteen minutes," Adam replied.
"See you then," Shalimar said.
Brennan pulled Shalimar noticing tears in her eyes when she looked up. "We're going home," she sobbed into his chest.
He didn't reply, but only held her until her sobs softened. She took in a shaky breath and took her head off of his chest. Brennan just took her hand, "come on lets go."
Shalimar shook her head yes and helped Brennan over to get his jacket. She left him lean up against the door after putting on his jacket for him, so she could get her own stuff. Shalimar went over to one of the chairs and grabbed their winter jackets, gloves, and snowmobile helmet.
She put on his winter jacket for him along with the gloves, and then managed to do the same for herself. Brennan just grinned at her as she placed her arm around his waist and nodded for him to open the door, since her hands were holding the snowmobile helmets.
They slowly made it down the stairs and into the lobby. Mrs. Hill was leaning over her paper work at the desk, when the two came down the stairs. She noticed that they were ready to leave.
"Leaving so soon?" She asked looking up from her work.
"Ya our friends will be picking us up, Brennan needs some medical attention." Shalimar told her, stopping as she came around the front.
"You know we have a doctor here," Mrs. Hill explained.
"That's all right, our friends are waiting for us," Shalimar lied as Mrs. Hill started moving around the desk.
"Thank you for letting us stay here the night," Shalimar said when she approached.
"It was my pleasure," she replied with a smile.
"Well thank you again," Shalimar told her and began walking Brennan towards the door.
"It was no problem, and Brennan…" the two stopped and turned around. "I'm sure you'll be just fine," she said in a reassuring voice.
Brennan smiled in return, "thank you" he said softly.
Mrs. Hill nodded and walked back to her desk, as Shalimar and Brennan left her bed n' breakfast. Shalimar eased Brennan on to the back of the sled and handed him is helmet, then climbed on the front. She put on her helmet and started the sled.
She felt Brennan's arms wrap around her waist and she took off turning the sled around heading out of town. It took them less than five minutes to get out far beyond the town where Adam could easily pick them up with out any detection.
Shalimar slowly pulled the sled to a stop on top of a hill and shut it down. She turned around and faced Brennan, she flipped open his visor. His skin was pale and his eyes were barely open.
"They'll be here soon," Shalimar explained, but all Brennan could was nodded his head yes and continued to sit there waiting for Adam to pick them up.
"Where are they Adam?" Emma asked impatiently.
"They should be right in front of us," Adam said pointing to Shalimar's signal.
Adam slowly pressed the controls as they reached the top of the hill. Shalimar looked up when the Helix showed it's self over them.
'Finally time to go home,' Shalimar sighed to herself.
TBC
A/N: Well ff.net has been funky for a couple of days SO I could not post. At least this was defiantly a longer chapter, and hope everyone is happy with the story so far cuz there is only 2 more chapters left. Don't forget to drop a review!!!