Disclaimer—see Chapter One

A/N: I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone for the encouraging words.  I am so relieved to know that people are still interested—I got scared for a moment there!  I know it's rather silly of me, and maybe it's just because I am new to writing stories, but I get nervous every time I post a new chapter, so I cannot thank you enough for reviewing!!  I am now in the middle of writing chapter 13, and I think there will be 14 chapters total with this story, so with this update, we're about half-way done!  Thank you again--I appreciate each and every one of you!!

While All Was Still—Chapter Seven

It was a beautiful afternoon.  The ship was docked to allow passengers to explore the island, but as David was on duty at the ship's pool, Shalimar had stayed aboard as well.  Stretching out a toned leg, she saw him watching her and waved.  Music rang gaily across the breeze and the large umbrella overhead shaded her from the heat of the midday sun.  So far, watching David had been easy.  If not for the beauty around her, she would have been almost bored.  In theory, lounging around a sun-drenched pool for a week sounded so relaxing, but it was only day three and already she was feeling restless.  She envied Brennan, who had gone on a shore excursion with Laura.  The sound of a large splash drew her eyes upward and she grinned.  David was in the midst of supervising a pool game and passengers were jumping into the pool to stuff as many pieces of fake fruit into their swimsuits as they possibly could.  The one with the most fruit after the timer buzzed was the winner.  She watched him as he bent down to comfort a small child as her mother splashed around the pool.  At times like this, it was hard to imagine he was part of Avenger Di Notte and their crusade to eliminate mutants.  A shiver ran down her body as she watched him lift the child up into his arms.  Harmless as he seemed, she thought she had seen a flash of something deep simmering beneath his eyes from time to time, but it was always gone before she could be sure.  From what Jesse told her, the group was extremely dangerous, and from their past experiences, she knew all too well that not everything was at it seemed.   It was because of this she sat here this lazy afternoon, watching people stuff fruit down their suits; she shook her head in wry amusement. 

The persistent beep of her comlink broke her out of her reverie.

"Shal," Lexa's voice rang out, "Can you talk right now?"

"Ah, kind of," Shalimar casually lifted her drink to her mouth as she spoke into her ring. 

"Just calling in for an update," Lexa explained.  "Have you noticed anything at all yet?"

"Still pretty quiet," she murmured back.  "Although we did stumble upon some kind of meeting between David and Laura.  Are you sure Laura's the victim?"

"Yes."  Lexa's voice was firm; boding no argument. 

Shalimar hesitated, "Lexa, what's your connection to her?"

"That's not important."

"I think it is."

"Listen, Shalimar, she's not involved with David, ok.  It's your job to protect her, that's all you need to know."  The connection was cut suddenly.  Shalimar lifted her eyebrows, intrigued. 

"Hey," a deep voice in her ear startled her.  She looked up to see dark eyes watching her intently.  "Who were you talking to?"

"David," she forced a cheerful tone into her voice.  "I was just thinking aloud," she excused.  "Are you finished with your shift?"

"Yeah," he studied her for a moment more; a chill ran down her neck.  Just as suddenly, his lips lifted into a wide smile, and he was transformed into a different man.  "Walk with me?" he charmingly inquired. 

For two hours, they strolled around the upper and lower decks, admiring the blueness of water further out and the clear green of the inland water.  He took her on a tour of the promenade and bought her a drink at one of the many restaurants.  Shalimar studied his face under downcast lashes, trying to read the man next to her, but he remained evasive.  Eventually, they came to a stop in one of several lounges.  He pulled out a chair for her and settled in next to her, arm lightly around her shoulders.  A Latin band was just finishing a number, and she politely clapped along with the rest of the crowd.  As another sultry song began, his finger traced his way lightly up her bare arm and shoulder, tracing unknown patterns.  She turned towards him, only to find his lips inches from her.  Her eyes widened as he clamped onto her mouth, and she forced back a gag reflect and lifted her hand to his cheek.  As he tried to deepen the kiss, she pulled back and feigned a shy smile.  His jaw clenched tightly and then slowly relaxed, and he nodded.  

"Let's enjoy the music for a while," he drew her back against his chest and wrapped his arms possessively around her body. 

Shalimar scanned the crowd, vaguely wondering how much longer she should endure his company, when she felt a familiar presence.  Brennan was nearby.  She eagerly scanned the crowd until she saw him.  He and Laura were just walking into the lounge.  Her eyes narrowed as she watched Laura's arm cling tightly to Brennan's as she daintily tripped along in impossibly high heels.  Even then, her head barely reached Brennan's shoulder.  The lights glimmered off her red highlights, and emphasized her creamy skin.  Her blouse took a daring plunge in front, and she used it to her best advantage.  Shalimar smirked proudly when she recognized the stiff awkwardness in Brennan's stance; good boy.  As they approached the main floor, Laura twirled herself around in front of Brennan and twined both arms around his neck, whispering in his ear and laughing at his chagrined expression as she led him onto the dance floor.

After a half hour of watching Laura throw herself all over Brennan, Shalimar knew she had to get out before her feral side took over and ruined their cover.  She made her excuses to a disappointed David and forced herself to smile politely to Laura on her way out.  She closed the door to her room and leaned against the door, muttering threats under her breath until she felt herself calm down.  She plopped down on the bed, frustrated until she heard the unmistakable sounds of someone moving next door in Brennan's room.  On alert, she tiptoed over to the adjoining door and leaned forward to press her ear against the door just as it flew open and hit her right in the face.  
"Argh!" she screamed, hands flying up to her throbbing nose as Brennan halted in shocked surprise.

"Shalimar!"  He squeaked, horrified as he tried to tug her hands down, "Are you ok?  Let me see."

She allowed him to lower her hands, wincing as he gently prodded at her nose.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were standing right there," Brennan bit his lip as she flinched again as he continued his examination.  "Well, it's not too bad, but I think you'll be sore for a few days." 

"Oh great," she pouted, until she suddenly noticed what he was wearing.  Her lips twitched as she tried in vain to hide her smirk.  "Brennan, what are you wearing?"

Brennan glanced down at the gaudy souvenir t-shirt he wore and shrugged sheepishly.  "Laura bought it for me." 

She couldn't help but laugh as the sight, even as Brennan shot her a glare.  "Why on earth are you wearing it?"

He held up a shirt grasped loosely in his hands; she hadn't noticed it before.  "Well, I started out wearing mine, but it got stained, so she insisted I put on this one," he gestured helplessly at the pathetic t-shirt, but Shalimar's eyes were studying the shirt in his hands. 

"Is that lipstick?" She arched a brow.

"Yeah," Brennan replied matter-of-factly, "And you know I'm having the worst trouble getting it out, I thought maybe you—" His voice trailed away as he noticed her pointed look.  "I mean it wasn't a big deal, she just, ah—"

"Never mind," Shalimar shook her head, "I'd rather not know.  How'd it go today?  Did you find anything out?"

"Not really, she's very vague whenever I try to probe for details."  He tossed the shirt onto the bed.  "You know Shal, I've only known her for three days, and already she was hinting about the wedding ceremony taking place at the end of the week.  I mean who does that?"

Shalimar raises her hands in an open gesture.  "Almost everyone on this ship?" 

He smiled, "No, it was more than just loneliness like it seems to be for most of the people around here." He chewed his lip in thought.  "She seems too desperate, almost like she has to get married for a reason." 

Shalimar cocked her head, "Maybe she does have her own motivation in this thing after all.  Lexa insists she's innocent, but I don't know."  Her brow wrinkled, "I just don't trust that woman."

"I couldn't tell," Brennan sarcastically teased, then shook his head, "But really, how are you doing?"

"I'm going be fine," her hand rose to her nose.

"No, Shal," he sobered a bit as he gently clasped her upper arms, "I mean how are you doing with all this."  He bent down to catch her eye.  "It couldn't have been easy today." 

She sighed as she raised her arms up around his neck, "I hate this Bren, but we'll make it." She paused as she pursed her lips in thought.  "As long as Laura behaves that is, I couldn't believe her in there tonight, prancing around half-dressed, flinging parts from one end of the room to the other."

Brennan snorted in laughter, "It wasn't quite that bad."  He lightly kissed her nose, eyes narrowing in thought, "Although, I had to force myself back when I saw him touching you tonight."  She nodded as he bent down and traced his knuckles down her cheek, emotion flickering deep in his eyes. "I'll be so glad when this assignment is over."  He pressed his lips to her forehead and then found himself wanting more so he moved down to her lips, tasting her and finding comfort in her response, in her familiarity. 

Her eyes sank closed as she tightened her hold around him, wanting to only feel him close to her.  She breathed him in and her nose wrinkled, catching a whiff of a foreign perfume mixed in with Brennan's scent and felt the need to replace it.  She pulled slightly away and slipped her hands under his shirt, stroking them sensually up his chest and around his back for a few moments, before grasping the edge and pulling it up over his head, carelessly tossing it to the floor with a huff.  Brennan arched as she practically rubbed against him, circling around him, kissing every place she could reach.  He moaned and stilled her movements, bringing her back to his mouth in a crushing kiss; the room tilted and swirled as long moments intensified.  She winced slightly as he bumped her nose, and breaking apart, they both chuckled, breathing deeply, leaning foreheads together. 

"I love you, Shalimar," Brennan murmured quietly.  "You know that, right?"

She pulled back, eyes searching his face.  "I don't know if you'll ever know how much it means to hear you say that," she whispered tenderly.  "It's like--like all goes still, and for a moment, it's just you and me and nothing else."

His eyes softened, and he wrapped her in a fierce hug.  "Then that's all that matters." 

Outside, a silent ear pressed against the door, listening; fists clenching in fury and eyes darkening in slow burning rage.

Inside, they were too distracted to notice.