Disclaimer—see Chapter One
A/N: Thank you again to those that reviewed—it means so much to me to get feedback as I spend so much time on these things…! So thank you so much, I appreciate all of you more than you can know!! Here's a bit of angst for you now…I promise it won't last too long!
While All Was Still—Chapter Four
Shalimar restlessly stirred under the sticky cotton sheets that had felt so cool when she first slipped into them. She drew a shallow breath, choking on the stifling heat that clogged the air with dampness. She refused to admit it to herself, but she was waiting. Brennan hadn't come back yet. Go. Go. Go. The giant clock on the wall whispered to her with every measured tick of its sweeping second hand, reverberating incessantly in her ears. Sighing, she flung the sheet off her heated body and kicked her legs in frustration, wanting to rip the hand off the uncaring clock and still its mocking echoes. She sat up, intent on going to find him, but then forced herself back down. He would come back, he had to eventually. She just had to wait. Two hours later, she sat back up again and got as far as putting her shoes on before again, groaning, removed them, and lay back down. She stared at the ceiling, drumming her fingers on either side of her; waiting. An hour later, she had finally drifted off to sleep, when motion on the other side of the wall drew her fully awake. Her heart pounded as she finally heard him. Now he would come to her. She waited and listened as he moaned and stretched, working out invisible knots somewhere. A few push-ups, a quick shower; she waited. Sheets rustled as he slid into them and sighed, and still, she waited.
The call of a lone seagull sweeping by her window jerked her upright, and she looked around in dazed confusion. Sunlight streamed in through the window, and she realized day had come without her realization. She was in bed alone. She cocked her head to the side and heard Brennan's faint breathing through the wall. He had finally returned, but he had not come to her. Angry, she threw the covers off and paced the room. She felt nervous, restless. Deciding she needed to get out of the suffocating room, she threw on sweats and a tank top and made her way to the upper deck's running track. The morning was early and the ship offered a cooling breeze that immediately refreshed her. The track was empty, and she ran in peace. An hour later, she paused and rested her hands on her knees, drawing deep breaths to calm her racing heart. The track was filling fast, so she decided to head back to her room and shower. She hesitated at her door for a moment, wiping the sweat from her brow and thinking. She paused a moment more before taking the few more steps to Brennan's door. She laid her ear against the door and listened. Hearing nothing, she pried the door open and peeked through; the room was empty. He was gone again. She slammed the door shut and marched back to her own room.
David's eyes lit up when he saw the blonde beauty he met yesterday approach. He was here on a mission, but couldn't see the harm in having a little fun on the side.
Shalimar saw her target sitting in the dining room, waiting for her. He politely stood up as she came near and pulled her chair out for her.
"Good morning, David," she smiled at him, taking note of his avid interest. Her heart felt bruised this morning, and she was glad for the distraction the man in front of her provided.
He eagerly returned her smile. "So how was your first night aboard ship? No seasickness I hope?"
"No, no sickness, although I was a bit warm," she confessed, offering him an enticing shrug.
"There is a thermostat in each room, perhaps it was set high," he suggested. "I could come take a look at it for you."
'Oh, that's ok," she hastily declined, "I think I can figure it out." She waved around the dining room. "The ship is absolutely beautiful. How long have you been working here?"
His hand waved dismissively in the air, "Oh a few years," he vaguely replied.
Shalimar took a sip of orange juice, almost choking when she saw Brennan and the woman from the night before enter the dining room and sit at a nearby table. He nodded to her, before helping the woman she recognized as Laura sit and then take a seat himself. Shalimar swept her eyes over Laura in a quick study. The woman was beautiful--strikingly so. Her picture had not done her justice. She was a diminutive woman, with an impossibly small waist and delicate air. She had rather exotic features with the largest violet eyes she had ever seen. Thick lashes swept demurely down as she blushed at whatever comment Brennan made to her. Dark auburn hair hung long down her back in large bouncy curls, framing tiny, shapely shoulders. Shalimar forced her eyes away as Brennan gallantly lifted her hand to his lips. She slammed her orange juice down on the table and turned determinedly back to David. Two could play at this game. She found him staring intently at the woman, hatred rolling off him in waves. She cleared her throat and his brows instantly smoothed back into pleasant lines as he turned to her.
"Forgive me, I must get to my station now," he stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Meet me later at the pool?" he requested.
She smiled back up at him, "Of course." When he disappeared from sight, her lips flattened into a straight line and she picked at her breakfast. Across the table, she could see Brennan and Laura finishing their meal and then standing to leave. She raised her glass to her lips again, but spit out a choking gasp when Brennan leaned down and gave Laura a gentle kiss on the lips. Lukewarm juice ran down her white blouse, and she coughed loudly, fighting for breath. Her eyes watered as her coughing grew more desperate; her fingers clenched the napkin in front of her. Brennan whirled around and drew Laura over, kneeling down and lightly pounding on her back.
"Shal, are you ok?" he anxiously studied her face. Finally she was able to draw a clear, shuddering breath, and she raised her napkin to her lips, humiliated as the beauty looked on with delicate concern.
"I'm ok," she rasped out.
Brennan watched her for a few more moments before nodding in relief. He stood back up and held a hand out to the waiting woman, drawing her to his side.
"Laura," he smiled down at her, "I'd like you to meet my sister, Shalimar."
Shalimar dabbed at her ruined blouse in horrified embarrassment as she forced a dull smile to her lips. "Nice—nice to meet you," she waved a flustered hand, now sticky with drying orange juice.
Laura graciously smiled back and then turned to Brennan. "I think I should like to go for a walk," she entreated him. She turned back to Shalimar. "Your brother has been keeping me very busy," she explained with a laugh.
"Why don't you go on," Brennan clasped her hands, "I'll catch up with you in a little bit."
"Alright," Laura graced him with a generous smile before turning and leaving.
Brennan watched her leave before blowing out a breath and sinking down into the chair next to Shalimar.
"Hey," he smiled at her, leaning in to kiss her, surprised when she jerked back. "Shal?" he questioned in confusion.
"Don't 'Shal' me," she hissed, angrily standing up and stomping out of the dining room, suddenly wanting nothing more but to be alone. Brennan sat and stared after her in shock for a moment before jumping to his feet and running after her, catching up with her in an empty middle deck. Thunder rolled in the distance, announcing an approaching summer storm.
"Shal, wait up," he grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop. "What's wrong?"
She wrenched her arm free and stared up at him in disbelief. "The first time I see you since we leave port and you're kissing that—that woman," she flung her arm into the air, "And you have to ask me what's wrong?"
"What?" Brennan grabbed both her arms and leaned towards her, eyes deep with intensity. "Shal, you know I'm just playing a cover, same as you. Why are you getting so mad?"
She glared back at him, not answering. Thunder cracked again, and rain drops splattered down in large drops. She knew he was right, but she still felt unbelievably angry.
In desperation, Brennan wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug, pulling back and cupping her cheeks, eyes pleading. "Shal, I love you. You. I kissed that woman because I had to, not because I wanted to."
She snorted. "If you even try to tell me you were thinking about me while kissing her, I'll hurt you," her eyes glittered back at him. Rain pounded heavily around them.
Brennan's brows shot up. "Who me?" he tried teasing, smiling slipping when she still failed to respond. He tenderly pushed a wet strand of her hair behind her ear. "Actually, I was thinking about how bored I was," he tried again.
She stood stiffly, eyes narrowed. "Brennan, please, just leave me alone right now."
"Shal, I—"
"Please."
His dark hair was plastered to his head in wet clumps as he stared at her. Finally, he bit his lip and nodded, eyes showing his hurt. Her heart wrenched in her chest, but she only wanted to be alone. She needed time to think. He slowly, painfully turned around, walking away.
The deck was empty. The rain blew in sweeping curves against the wind, pounding a steady beat on the metal railing. The giant ship groaned as it gently rolled in the storm, and she clutched the slippery railing, struggling for footing, staring out at the churning gray waters. Rain rolled down her face in great drops, pausing on the bridge of her nose before dripping down. She was by herself as she had wanted.
