Thanks for reviews, and I'm sorry it took so long to update!! But it's here now and that's all that matters...We learn more about Emma now, and a kinda first step towards a bren/shal relationship, yay!!
~ Brennan's apartment ~
'So..um...what d'you wanna do today? I've gotta see someone about 6ish, so if ya want I can hang around with you until then' *I don't want to leave you here by yourself...*
'Well...I was actually thinking that I should make my way home. There's no doubt that they'll be worried about me.' Shalimar cringed inside thinking of how worried she made the other two men. *Let's hope their not too worried. I mean, they know I can handle myself...*
'They?' Brennan was intrigued. This was the first time that the two of them had a conversation worth having. Her family.
'Yeh, Adam's sorta like a father figure, and Jesse's like a little brother to me, ya know?'
'Yeh, I guess...so, your gonna be leaving today?'
'Well, yeh. I mean, I am soo grateful for everything, but I've gotta get back home. I've got some things I need to do...' She detected a little hint of sadness. She couldn't help but feel just a little bit guilty. It wasn't as if she wanted to leave...she just had to.
'Are they coming to get you? Or are you expecting to ride your bike? You'll know how reluctant I'll be about that...right?' He really didn't want her to ride by herself, especially after last night's events. He didn't think she could recover after a heavy beating like that.
Brennan watched the woman in front of him. For the first time since last night, he noticed the marks on her face, and all the cuts. Every now and then she winced from the pain coming from her ribs. She hoped he hadn't noticed, but unfortunately for her, he had. And he wasn't so enthusiastic about letting her ride home.
'Hey listen, like I said...I'm a big girl. Besides, I can stay for a while, I like it here.' She was trying so hard not to smile, but at that last comment she made she couldn't help herself. She had never flirted so obviously before, she was usually more subtle than this.
*What am I doing? I must be so transparent! I hope he doesn't think I'm easy...*
He couldn't help blush at her last remark.
*Was she just flirting with me? Well two can play that game...*
Ever since Shalimar had woken up, the pair of them avoided eye contact. Brennan in particular didn't want her to make eye contact, he felt that if they had, then he'd just feel more for her than he already did. But he had to keep telling himself that the relationship could not work...she didn't know what he was, and he was sure she wouldn't like it.
Shalimar had realised that Brennan avoided eye contact at any point of the morning. She was kind of relieved in a way, because she didn't want to tell him everything about her just yet. But she was, in a way, disappointed. It gave her the feeling that nothing serious would happen between the two of them.
~ Adam's Car ~
'So she's missing?'
'Well, not so much as missing...We just haven't spoken to her since last night. And well, we're worried about her.'
'Listen Adam, from what you've told me, she's a strong mutant and can look after herself...you know? Sometimes you males seem to underestimate us women. Especially mutants.' As soon as she said it, the pair of them couldn't help but laugh and somehow, Adam seemed less worried about Shalimar.
The words kept repeating in his head...'can look after herself...' He knew this already, but for some reason, Emma saying it made him realise how true it was. He also decided that from that point on, he wouldn't treat the women as if they weren't as experienced. Especially mutants!
'Thanks Emma, believe it or not, that makes me feel better.'
'I know...I have that gift!' She couldn't help it. Everything she was saying seemed funny and humourous to the both of them. Adam couldn't believe he was actually laughing considering he was still worried about his other mutant child.
'But seriously though Adam, I am sure she'll find her way back, and all will be better again!'
'I know...but still, I can't help but worry-'
'Adam...keep repeating in you mind...'She's fine, she's fine, she's fine.' Trust me!'
'I know...I do trust you! Don't think for a second I don't trust you...I've been watching your training lately, and I really think that you're ready. I've made up my mind...Emma, I want you to be in Mutant X. What do you think?'
'Are you kidding? Like you even have to ask me!! I'd love to!!'
'Great...because I need to introduce you to Jesse later after our training...I just hope he's in a good mood...you know, since the whole thing with Shal-'
'Don't worry Adam...if he's not enthusiastic later, I'll understand.'
'Yeah, but you know what they say...first impressions are the most lasting...'
'Well, I guess with these first impressions, I'll have to make it not so lasting!'
Adam knew he had made the right decision. He could see that Shalimar and Emma would immediately click, and that Shalimar would finally be happy having some female company around Sanctuary. As for Jesse, he just hoped that he wouldn't be as down about Shalimar. He just knew in the back of his mind that she was okay and in no trouble.
Emma could feel what Adam was feeling and was relieved when he was more relaxed. She never did like him tense, he wasn't as good as a teacher when he was stressed.
Wot did you think then?
~ Brennan's apartment ~
'So..um...what d'you wanna do today? I've gotta see someone about 6ish, so if ya want I can hang around with you until then' *I don't want to leave you here by yourself...*
'Well...I was actually thinking that I should make my way home. There's no doubt that they'll be worried about me.' Shalimar cringed inside thinking of how worried she made the other two men. *Let's hope their not too worried. I mean, they know I can handle myself...*
'They?' Brennan was intrigued. This was the first time that the two of them had a conversation worth having. Her family.
'Yeh, Adam's sorta like a father figure, and Jesse's like a little brother to me, ya know?'
'Yeh, I guess...so, your gonna be leaving today?'
'Well, yeh. I mean, I am soo grateful for everything, but I've gotta get back home. I've got some things I need to do...' She detected a little hint of sadness. She couldn't help but feel just a little bit guilty. It wasn't as if she wanted to leave...she just had to.
'Are they coming to get you? Or are you expecting to ride your bike? You'll know how reluctant I'll be about that...right?' He really didn't want her to ride by herself, especially after last night's events. He didn't think she could recover after a heavy beating like that.
Brennan watched the woman in front of him. For the first time since last night, he noticed the marks on her face, and all the cuts. Every now and then she winced from the pain coming from her ribs. She hoped he hadn't noticed, but unfortunately for her, he had. And he wasn't so enthusiastic about letting her ride home.
'Hey listen, like I said...I'm a big girl. Besides, I can stay for a while, I like it here.' She was trying so hard not to smile, but at that last comment she made she couldn't help herself. She had never flirted so obviously before, she was usually more subtle than this.
*What am I doing? I must be so transparent! I hope he doesn't think I'm easy...*
He couldn't help blush at her last remark.
*Was she just flirting with me? Well two can play that game...*
Ever since Shalimar had woken up, the pair of them avoided eye contact. Brennan in particular didn't want her to make eye contact, he felt that if they had, then he'd just feel more for her than he already did. But he had to keep telling himself that the relationship could not work...she didn't know what he was, and he was sure she wouldn't like it.
Shalimar had realised that Brennan avoided eye contact at any point of the morning. She was kind of relieved in a way, because she didn't want to tell him everything about her just yet. But she was, in a way, disappointed. It gave her the feeling that nothing serious would happen between the two of them.
~ Adam's Car ~
'So she's missing?'
'Well, not so much as missing...We just haven't spoken to her since last night. And well, we're worried about her.'
'Listen Adam, from what you've told me, she's a strong mutant and can look after herself...you know? Sometimes you males seem to underestimate us women. Especially mutants.' As soon as she said it, the pair of them couldn't help but laugh and somehow, Adam seemed less worried about Shalimar.
The words kept repeating in his head...'can look after herself...' He knew this already, but for some reason, Emma saying it made him realise how true it was. He also decided that from that point on, he wouldn't treat the women as if they weren't as experienced. Especially mutants!
'Thanks Emma, believe it or not, that makes me feel better.'
'I know...I have that gift!' She couldn't help it. Everything she was saying seemed funny and humourous to the both of them. Adam couldn't believe he was actually laughing considering he was still worried about his other mutant child.
'But seriously though Adam, I am sure she'll find her way back, and all will be better again!'
'I know...but still, I can't help but worry-'
'Adam...keep repeating in you mind...'She's fine, she's fine, she's fine.' Trust me!'
'I know...I do trust you! Don't think for a second I don't trust you...I've been watching your training lately, and I really think that you're ready. I've made up my mind...Emma, I want you to be in Mutant X. What do you think?'
'Are you kidding? Like you even have to ask me!! I'd love to!!'
'Great...because I need to introduce you to Jesse later after our training...I just hope he's in a good mood...you know, since the whole thing with Shal-'
'Don't worry Adam...if he's not enthusiastic later, I'll understand.'
'Yeah, but you know what they say...first impressions are the most lasting...'
'Well, I guess with these first impressions, I'll have to make it not so lasting!'
Adam knew he had made the right decision. He could see that Shalimar and Emma would immediately click, and that Shalimar would finally be happy having some female company around Sanctuary. As for Jesse, he just hoped that he wouldn't be as down about Shalimar. He just knew in the back of his mind that she was okay and in no trouble.
Emma could feel what Adam was feeling and was relieved when he was more relaxed. She never did like him tense, he wasn't as good as a teacher when he was stressed.
Wot did you think then?