While All Was Still
Summary: A new mission brings Brennan and Shalimar back undercover as newlyweds…if only it was with each other. A sequel to "House of Dreams." Bren/Shal.
Gender: Action/Romance
Disclaimer: Not mine! Mutant X belongs to Tribune and Marvel.
Rating: PG
A/N: While it is not necessary to read "House of Dreams" prior to this one, I would sure appreciate it if you did! There will be slight references here and there to "House of Dreams" throughout the story, but you would be able to follow along just fine even without having read it. This first chapter is more of an epilogue. Please let me know what you think! Thank you!!
While All Was Still—Chapter One
Shalimar paced back and forth in agitation, her footfalls quiet in the stillness of the night. It was a perfect evening, and yet she could not shake the disquiet feeling that haunted her and kept her awake. She paused in her pacing and cocked her head, taking stock of the night. The steady beeping of computers continually on watch echoed softly in the air and mingled with the distant hum of the scattered appliances and clicking of the furnace as it kicked into action. She flashed yellow eyes into the soft darkness and further heard the slow, deep rise and fall of three bodies breathing in sleep. Comforted by the customary sounds of sanctuary, her eyes slid back to normal, and she resumed her random stroll through the halls. A while later she found herself staring into the pond, each trickling drop of water that splashed from the fountain mesmerizing her, heightening her uneasiness.
"Out hunting again?" Brennan's voice murmured from the shadows where he leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he watched her.
Shalimar forced herself to turn away from the water and smiled softly as Brennan approached her, attempting to read her mood.
"Relax, I'm just wandering around," she chuckled at his relieved expression, knowing his dislike of her nightly prowls.
He grinned and lightly kissed her forehead as he came to a stop in front of her.
"Hey," he greeted softly.
'Hi," she returned his kiss, seeking comfort in his familiarity.
Brennan sensed her uneasiness and rubbed his hands up and down her arms.
"Shal, you're freezing, come back to bed," he gently coaxed. She said nothing, but only snuggled further into his embrace, desperate to shake her apprehension.
He welcomed her hug, but pulled back and cupped her cheeks, concerned as she shivered slightly.
"Shal, what's wrong?"
She shook her head, slightly smiling. "It's nothing. I just have this strange feeling, like something is about to happen."
His thumb gently stroked her cheeks in a soothing caress. "Do you want to talk about it?"
She shook her head, "No, no I'm fine." She pulled his hands down away from her face and clasping her fingers into his, tugging him gently forward, back to his room. "What are we doing out here anyway, it's freezing." She flashed him a smile over her shoulder as she led him through the doorway. Brennan just laughed and rolled his eyes, wrapping his arms around her and pushing her forward onto the bed, tumbling into it behind her. Their laughter rolled softly through the air before settling back into the conversant hush of sanctuary at night.
Shalimar woke up early the next morning, aware of Brennan still sleeping beside her, the warmth of his bare thigh touching her own, the even rise and fall of his chest disturbing the blankets. She was aware of him, and smiled in delight that she finally lay beside him, waiting in the cold dawn of morning for him to wake. He slept with his cheek turned towards her, pressed into the pillow, left arm flung over his head. She watched his face, the way his eyes twitched even in sleep, the dusty stubble of beard, the sleek line of his nose. He was hers. She sighed and slid deeper under the comforter, smiling triumphantly. Despite the obstacles, the endless flirting, the fears of ruined friendship, the scheming of Lexa, and poison ivy, and kidnappings, he was hers.
"What do you see?" He was awake, watching her, both arms clasped behind his head. "You were smiling, what did you see?"
She felt the bed move, and then he was leaning over her, looking down. Lifting her hand behind his neck and bringing his mouth down to hers, she murmured, "I was seeing us being together despite the odds."
He chuckled; she could feel it deep in his chest. "Oh Shal," he whispered tenderly. "How I love you."
She clung to him, her face pressed tight to his shoulder, smelling the sweet scent of his skin. With a groan, he cupped her face in his hands, running his fingers over her eyes and cheeks. She smiled up as him as he caught her hair behind her neck and lifted it clear so he could kiss behind her ears. "I wanted to do this for so long," he huskily whispered.
"No one's stopping you now," she careened her neck to give him better access when he stopped and pulled back, staring tenderly at her. "Kiss me," she scolded impatiently. The room spun around, tipping, sliding away from her. He whispered things as he kissed tiny trails all over her face, but she only felt his warm breath. It was just them, and she tuned the rest of the world out. Simultaneously, both their comlink rings went off, but she shrugged the sound away. Her eyes flew open when Brennan started to roll away, and she threw her arms around his neck, bringing him back down to her.
"Ignore it," she demanded.
"Shal," he teased, "We can't stay in bed all day."
She pulled back to see his eyes. "Brennan."
Her face was so intense, so full of love for him. His eyes flickered and deepened. "I changed my mind," he breathed, reaching for her. She laughed and rolled away, but he caught her wrist just as she was about to toss a plump pillow at him. The sheets tangled and twisted as they wrestled in the cold, giggling and fighting for control. Their rings chimed again, but went unheard. They continued their play, and then she was pinned to the mattress, her arms held flat against the sheet. "You're beautiful," he enthused, ducking his head to hers, and it took her breath away. She clasped her hands behind his neck, and he sank into her arms.
"I love you," she whispered, "My heart is so full—"
"Hey, Brennan!"
Brennan jerked up as the door suddenly flew open. Shalimar screamed and dove for the tangled sheets, clutching frantically, missing, hearing a tear somewhere. Brennan threw her a blanket, and she pulled it quickly over herself, cheeks flaming red. Lexa stood in the doorway, and behind her stood Jesse, mouth gaping open.
