~~~

Emma didn't have to go far to find Brennan. Because soon as she focused in on him she realized he was just a few feet beyond the entrance door.

"Brennan" she said in order to gain his attention

"Go away Emma. I am not going to let her die"

"She may die anyway" was all she said but it was more than enough to get his attention

"What do you mean?" he asked quickly turning around

"Staying like this will kill the two of you. Adam thinks he can heal Shalimar once you are separated but he can't be sure of that unless you agree to let her mind return to her body. You hold the cards Brennan"

"You said yourself that Adam is not sure he can heal her. I'm sorry Emma I can't...I'd rather die than live without her"

"Don't do this Brennan" pleaded Emma but he remained silent. Realizing he was not going to change his mind she broke the link and returned to the real world.

~~~

[Sanctuary]

Once the link was broken Emma explained Brennan's refusal to willingly let Shalimar's mind separate from his. Holland once again reiterated that while the physical separation is tricky the mental separation hinges on Brennan's approval to let go.

"If we do separate them successfully and he holds on to her mentally then her mind could be trapped within his forever. It could drive him insane"

"Don't you think I tried to explain that to him? He doesn't want to listen" countered Emma

"And when Brennan sets his mind to something he can be more stubborn than Shalimar" added Jesse

"Where are we on the recreation of the machine?" asked Adam

"Just about done, all we need to do is bring it in here and connect it to a power source" replied Jesse

"Alright Jesse, take Dr. Holland and prepare the machine. We have to at least try" ordered Adam. Jesse nodded and led Holland out of the lab while he got things ready

After making sure Jesse and Holland were out of hearing range, Emma approached Adam. "Shalimar asked me to promise her that no matter what happens I would make sure Brennan wakes up"

"Can you do that?" wondered Adam

"I think so but I don't know what affect it could have on him"

"Emma I can't tell you what you do. You need to decide, for yourself, whether or not you want to honor Shalimar's wishes"

Emma remained silent while she contemplated his words

~~~

[Brennan and Shalimar's mind]

Shalimar had gotten fed with Brennan's refusal to return so she went in search of him. She found him in the same place Emma had- right outside the door. At first she thought maybe he overheard her and Emma's conversation but when he didn't confront her on what she made Emma promise she realized otherwise.

"You have to do this" she said in a low undemanding tone

"How can you ask me to?"

"Because it is in my nature and I want you to live"

"Well it is not in mine and I don't want to live a life if you're not in it. I meant what I said earlier that before I met you there was no one I ever really cared about. Shalimar I have never loved anyone the way I love you and I don't want to lose that"

Tears began to well up in her eyes "I don't either but no matter what happens I will always be with you" she replied as she slowly approached him "and I will always love you"

In any other situation he would have been ecstatic to hear those words come out of her mouth but now it only made the knife within his gut twist deeper. If she loved him then how could she ask him to do something like this?

"I.I can't" was all he muttered before backing away from her and taking off

He didn't get very far before he appeared back in the safe house with Shalimar right in front of him and Emma off to the side.

"It's time" was all she said

~~~

TBC.....Thanks for all the reviews they were great. No worries to those out there who want me to finish this because I am going to. We are almost to the end so keep those reviews coming.