Disclaimer—see Chapter One

A/N: Thank you again so much for all your encouraging words!!  Please keep on reviewing and letting me know what you think!!  Thank you so much!!!

While All Was Still—Chapter Eleven

A pair of solemn eyes regarded Brennan with unwavering interest. A bit uncomfortable under the intense scrutiny of a five-year old, he shifted restlessly in his chair, willing Shalimar to come back and rescue him.  After leaving the neighbor's house, they had split up; she to resume the hunt for David and Laura, and he to try and find Liza.  Little did he know when he walked into the office for Child Services that they would be open and that they would have the girl right there with them.  He squirmed again and took a sip of the lukewarm coffee that had been offered to him.

"Are you my real daddy?" 

Brennan spit out his coffee in a heated rush.  "What?" 

Little hands reached tentatively for his knee as she rose up and stood beside him.  "When the lady took me here, she said she was going to find my real daddy."  The little voice wavered.

Brennan's heart constricted, he couldn't help it.  "No, I'm sorry, I'm not." 

How do you talk to children? He frantically searched his brain for any previous experience to rely upon; he came up blank.  Connor had been easy, he was just like himself as a teen, but this tiny girl in front of him was an enigma. 

Eyes blinked and her little mouth formed into a quivering oval.  "Oh."  Great tears sprang into deep violet eyes and hovered for a moment before slowly sliding down dusty cheeks. 

Brennan panicked.  "Shalimar!" he hissed into his ring, "Where are you?" 

"I'm on my way," she called back, amused at the terror in his voice. 

A tear landed on his knee. 

His eyes widened in horror. 

A sniffle sounded in the room.

He bit his lip in anxiety.

Wobbly fingers clenched his jeans. 

He shot up straight in his chair.

"Are you ah, ok?" he finally ventured to ask.

"I'm scared."  Her small voice echoed back. 

Brennan awkwardly slipped out of his chair and knelt down beside her on one knee.  "Of what?"

"I'm alone."  She tightened her hold on his jeans. 

"Oh sweetie, you're not alone," he carefully circled an arm around her.  "You've got people here helping you, looking for your mom and dad."

"I don't like it here," she covered her mouth, afraid she would be in trouble.

He winked at her.  "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." 

She granted him a small smile.  Her fingers slightly relaxed their death grip on his pant leg.

"You know what," he tried to reassure her, "My name is Brennan, and I'll help you, ok?" 

Grubby arms suddenly shot out and launched themselves around his neck.  He stiffened in shock for a moment, before slowly raising his arms and patting her back.  He sensed Shalimar's presence at the same time and raised his eyes to see her looking at him with an expression of tender surprise.  He tried to stand up, but little arms refused to budge, so he brought her up with him; she smiled.

It was already two o'clock in the afternoon, and the ship was scheduled to leave port at seven o'clock that evening.  Time was against them on this day as they continued their search for their missing targets.  Brennan had reluctantly left Liza at the office after Shalimar discreetly reminded him of their potentially dangerous hunt.  Shalimar paused as they turned a street corner, nose lifted into the air.  Brennan smiled; he loved watching her work, she was fluid in her movement and sensual in her intensity.  A finger beckoned him and off she went.  He followed, unable to keep his eyes off her.  She set a fast pace for half an hour before pausing yet again.

"David went that way," she pointed down a side street, "and Laura is down here," she pointed in the opposite direction. 

"Well, at least we know he doesn't have her," Brennan blew out his breath, hands resting on his knees.  Shalimar placed a hand on his heaving back. 

"I think you need a bit more exercise," she teased. 

"Oh yeah?" he challenged, shooting back up and grasping her, hiking her over his shoulder and whirling her around in his arms.  Laughter floated around her as she squealed and clutched at his shoulders as he pivoted in mad circles until sinking to the ground.  Tourists smiled and veered a wide path around them as Shalimar landed in his lap and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug as the world swirled by in glorious colors.  He buried his nose in her hair as she flashed him a wide smile. 

"What was that for?" 

He pulled back and grinned, not caring that they were drawing curious stares in their present position.  "Do I need a reason?" he huskily intoned. 

She searched his face, eyes aglow, "Never."  She trailed a finger on his cheek, teasingly pulling back when he tried to seize her lips.  "Brennan, we're in the middle of the road." 

"I don't care," he leaned in again, moaning into her mouth when she suddenly shifted closer on his lap.  Time froze for seemingly endless moments until sound came crashing back upon her, and she reluctantly broke away, drawing him back up with her, brushing the dust off her pants and smiling devilishly at him as she rotated around and continued back down the street in the direction of Laura.  Brennan tried unsuccessfully not to look affected as he trailed slowly after her. 

Half an hour later, Shalimar stopped abruptly.  "She's near." 

Brennan glanced around just as a whirlwind of flowery perfume and tittering laugher attacked him from behind.  He stiffened as the voice hit his ears; Laura.  He turned around just as she hurled herself into his arms and kissed his surprised mouth.  He hastily pulled back and tugged her arms down from around his neck as she giggled and tried again to kiss him.  Her smile dropped as she took in his serious expression.

"Brenny," she whined, "What's wrong?" 

Shalimar stepped up beside him, loudly clearing her throat.  Laura's eyes darted back and forth between Brennan and Shalimar, her mouth suddenly falling into a hard line at Brennan's next words.

"Let's cut the act, shall we?" he arched an eyebrow.

"We know the truth about you, Laura," Shalimar added, arm sliding around Brennan's waist, a move not lost on Laura's angry eyes. 

"You're not his sister," she grated flatly.

Shalimar couldn't help herself, she smiled triumphantly. 

Brennan rolled his eyes at both of them.  "Ah ladies, if you're through, I think we have more important things to discuss."  He turned back toward Laura.  "We know you're a mutant, and we know about your past relationship with David," he paused, ticking the list off his fingers, "we also know about your daughter, and we know about the Porter's and the inheritance." 

She crossed her arms.  "Tell me something I don't know."

Shalimar's eyes narrowed.  "We also know where to find Liza."

After a moment, Brennan was able to convince them to take seats at an open café, ordering drinks for them all.  He pinched his nose in tired frustration, smiling in appreciation as Shalimar slipped a hand under the table to rest on his thigh.  His own hand darted down and clasped hers tightly. 

Laura watched them both for a while, before breaking the silence.  "Look," she frowned, "I don't know what you want with me, but that money is mine."

Shalimar's eyes widened in astonishment, "You don't even care about your daughter, do you?"  Brennan squeezed her hand in calming comfort.

"I'll take her," she shrugged defensively. 

"Only because you have to for the money," Shalimar gritted. 

"I said I'll take her," Laura growled, "That's all you need to know." 

"What about David?"  Brennan finally spoke up.

She hesitated before shaking her head in dismissal.  "He's harmless, just throwing around meaningless threats."

"They can't be that meaningless," Brennan countered, "We were sent to protect you from him."

"He's a part of a group that's marked you for a hit," Shalimar tapped her free hand on the table. 

Laura paused in surprise, brows furrowed.  "I wondered," she mused aloud.  "But I can handle myself." 

Shalimar released Brennan's hand and leaned forward.  "So why Brennan," she bluntly asked, "Where does he fit into all your plans?" 

Laura had the grace to look embarrassed for a moment.  "I needed to be married to gain custody over David, Brennan was just convenient."  

Shalimar eyed her in disgust.  "So you disregard threats against your life, plan to seduce an innocent man, and plot to use your own daughter to steal an inheritance." 

"You make it sound cheap," Laura indifferently picked invisible lint off her sleeve.   

Brennan's hand shot out, stopping Shalimar from jumping out of her chair.  "Do you know where David is?" he tried to regain control of the conversation. 

Worry marred her face for a moment.  "No, when you both disappeared into the restrooms, he followed you, so I took the opportunity to disappear.  You don't think he'll find Liza before me do you?"

"Don't worry," Brennan soothed, "We'll keep her safe." 

Laura bit her lip.  "I have to find her first, without being married, I won't have leverage over David anymore."   She abruptly stood up, pushing back her chair with a loud scrape, "I want that money."  He eyes glittered before walking away.  "Take me to her," she hollered over her slender shoulder. 

Brennan and Shalimar exchanged glances of disbelief before pushing up.  Brennan stilled her for a moment, hand cupping her cheek.  "We're almost done here," he whispered in reassurance, "We'll do what we can to help Liza and then we'll go home."

Shalimar's look softened, and she raised up on tiptoe to reach his mouth, "Home," she repeated in promise, brushing a lingering kiss against his lips before turning back around and following after Laura.

They reached the office just as the wind picked up, arching the palms into a bowing dance.  A troop of Green monkeys screeched in warning as waves pounded the shore in the backdrop.  Shalimar shivered as she was hit with a feeling of unease while she stood waiting outside the office Brennan had entered a few minutes before. Something was wrong.  A moment later, Brennan came running out, chest pulsing in anger.  Shalimar knew before he even told her; they were already too late.