Disclaimer—See Chapter One

A/N: I'm worried that the ending of this chapter might have the same feel as House of Dreams, but please be patient with me, I promise it won't be the same.  Thank you so much for your feedback!  Please continue to let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions.  The last few chapters are written, but I'm still working on revisions!  Thank you again so much for taking the time to read this story!! 

Of Wind and Wood—Chapter Thirteen

Night fell quietly over the small camp as the sun gave one final wink before disappearing behind a shadowy mountain. A hooting owl sent chilling shivers down the backs of many as they huddled close together around the fire. The little group was loathe to break apart for the night; it seemed like whenever they parted, something else happened.  Brennan's long legs were stretched out toward the fire as he leaned back against a tree, absentmindedly scratching at the fading rash on his arm.

Shalimar automatically lifted a hand to still his movements, not even bothering to open her eyes as she lay with her head in his lap. Ana had insisted on giving her painkillers for her shoulder, and she was pleasantly drowsy, dozing fitfully between bouts of nervous laughter from the group.  They were telling ghost stories. Probably not the best form of activity right now, Shalimar mused to herself, loving the pull of muscle against her cheek every time Brennan chuckled under his breath. Although his body was relaxed, Shalimar could feel the tension in his fingers as he studiously wound a curl around his index finger, stretching it tight and then releasing it in a springy bounce. Over and over, his finger swirled around, and over and over again he released it, until Shalimar was fairly purring in contentment.

Denise sat across the other side of the fire, taking breaks from her furious whispering to occasionally glare at Brennan.  Amy would shake her head and Denise would return to her muttering, complaints and fears rising louder and louder until they could be heard by all and the current storyteller paused, unsure what to do.  Amy clutched at her friend's arm and quickly gestured for the story to continue, but Denise would not have it. Her shrill voice rose again, cursing them all as her eyes wildly darted around the group.  

"Hey, Shal?" Brennan leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"Hmm?"

"Would you think me a terrible person if I told you I wanted to hit her again?"  

Shalimar snickered, earning another glare from Denise.

Horrified, Amy finally managed to quiet her friend, and after an awkward pause, the storytelling resumed.   Long moments passed before Ana reluctantly advised the group they should turn in and heads nodded in agreement, but no one moved.  Another story was started, but it fell on deaf ears as Shalimar suddenly tuned in to a cracking sound in the brush beyond their fire, and prickling fingers of awareness skimmed up and down her neck. They were being watched again. Her senses felt drugged, but she forced tired eyes to focus.

"Shal?" Brennan saw her eyes glowing as she turned her face away from the fire and towards the forest.  

She didn't answer immediately, but continued to scan the surrounding area.  Twigs cracked again and this time Brennan heard it as well. He gently pushed her head off his lap and casually stood up, feigning a yawning stretch before meandering toward the designated latrine area and looping back around. Shalimar saw his shadow move silently through the forest, a tiny bead of light flickering in and out. Confused, she pushed herself up into a sitting position and openly stared until he eventually returned back to her side.

"Shal," he whispered excitedly as he settled himself against the tree and pulled her between his outstretched legs, wrapping his arms around her as she pressed her back into his chest. "I found footprints!" His voice was barely a whisper, lips pressed against her ear. 

Her eyes widened in response as they both automatically turned their heads toward the group. Brian was there, lying pale beside the fire with his splinted leg propped up on a pack. Denise and Amy were still there as well, staring sullenly into the fire as another couple took turns telling a story to another young couple, huddled in each other's arms. Only Ana was missing from their small group.

"No," Brennan shook his head as the thought struck them both at the same time. "Not Ana, the prints were too large."

"How could you even see them?"

Brennan grinned into her hair as he held out a small penlight still clutched in his fingers. "Ana gave it to me after our first night here. In case I ever needed to make another midnight trip to the latrine."

Shalimar let a tiny giggle escape at the memory of Brennan blindly patting his way through the forest. "That explains the light I saw."

"But anyway," Brennan continued, "someone was definitely out there."

The laughter died in the back of Shalimar's throat as she absorbed his meaning. "Someone is following us."

"Yeah," Brennan breathed into her neck, "but who, and why?"

"I can find him, Brennan."  

"No!" he fiercely whispered, pausing as Denise glanced towards him with another glare, "Shal, it's too dangerous. You're not yourself right now."

She stiffened in his arms, "How many times do I have to tell you I'm fine," she gritted back.

"I only meant you're on painkillers right now," he attempted to soothe her, "And you can barely stay awake. We'd be better off staying here and watching over the others, at least for now."

Reluctantly, Shalimar nodded, settling back against his chest. "I suppose."

Brennan buried his nose into her hair, remembering the sensual experience of washing it for her earlier that evening. When they were back in civilization with real running water, he wanted to try that again. He sighed and kissed the top of her head, willing her to rest while they were able.

"Hey, Shal?"

"Hmm?"

"Did I ever tell you about the first time I ever saw your face?"

Her eyebrows quirked up, "Ah, Brennan, isn't that the line from a song?"  She started to giggle.

"Hey," Brennan swatted her leg, "I'm trying to be serious here."

"Sorry," she cleared her throat, composing her face into a more serious expression, smirking as she turned her head away from his gaze.  Who knew he would turn into romantic nature boy?

"Anyway," Brennan continued, "The first time I ever saw you," he pressed a kiss to her forehead, "You were walking towards me, even as Thorne was running away from me." 

"Uh-uh," she agreed, "I remember."   

"Well, that moment has always struck me as one of the most pivotal moments of my life.  Right before my eyes, my past was disappearing and my future was approaching." 

Shalimar suddenly blinked moist eyes as Brennan bent down and gave her a gentle kiss.  "You are my future, Shalimar Fox," he whispered against her lips.  All thoughts of teasing flew from her mind as she twisted in his arms and sought his lips again. Oh yeah, my romantic nature boy.  Her fingers tangled into his hair. 

Eventually the pull of sleep was too much for the weary travelers to ignore, and they slowly broke up, heading into their tents one-by-one. Brennan rose and half-lifted Shalimar as she let out a mild protest at being disturbed.

He was glad he had insisted she take a double dose of the drug, for even that was only partially effective as she walked when she should have been out cold. He led her sleepy form to their small tent and helped her lay down, smiling tenderly as she immediately curled into a tight ball and fell fast asleep. He quickly shed his clothes and lay down beside her, pulling the thick sleeping bag over them both and spooning around her, careful not to jostle her sore shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

Hours later, as the moon shone high in the dark night sky, Shalimar forced gritty eyes open and groaned as she realized she had drunk way too much water before going to bed. She closed her eyes again, but her body was tense with need and she squirmed, deciding she couldn't wait until morning. Brennan's arm lay heavy across her side, and he snored lightly in her ear.  She debated waking him, before deciding she would rather risk his ire than give up her privacy. Carefully wiggling forward, she eased herself out of his protective clasp and pulled on her shoes, grimacing as pain shot through her shoulder at the movement. She struggled to her feet and snuck out of the tent, staggering to the area marked for women.

Feeling much better, she paused on her way back to the tent, lifting her face to the night sky, breathing deep the cool air. The refreshing breeze did wonders to her senses as she felt her body resisting the drug in her system.

So distracted was she by the wondrous feeling of returning to normal that she failed to hear the distinctive click of a gun hammer pulling back until it was too late and the cold barrel was pressed into her neck. She tensed, prepared to whirl and fight when a sharp prick stabbed her upper arm and her body immediately betrayed her, folding in upon itself as she sank bonelessly into waiting arms.

The shrill cry of an osprey jolted Brennan awake from deep, dreamless sleep.  His arm pressed instinctively around Shalimar's waist, frowning as instead of her slender curves, his arm sunk heavy into softness. He squinted one eye open and grumbled as he realized he was cuddling with her pillow.

"Shal," he groaned, scrubbing his hands across his gruff face, pausing as the emptiness of the tent struck him. Fear coursed through him before sounds of talking outside the tent relaxed him and he pulled on some clothes, poking his head outside the half-zippered door.  Storm clouds hovered over the mountains, threatening to block the sun shining down on the camp. He saw Ana and a few others working to make breakfast, and he made his way towards them, stretching sore muscles along the way.

"Hey," he nodded to Ana as he squirreled a piece of bread from the stack she was toasting and took a large bite, "You seen Shalimar around here?"

Ana's head tilted to the side as she thought for a moment. "No, I don't think so. Check that way," her hand waved in the direction of the makeshift latrines.

Brennan shook his head and wandered down the trail, suddenly pausing mid-step as the bread in his mouth turned dry and crumbly and his stomach soured with numbing dread. 

Sunlight glinted off gold as a delicate chain lay tangled in the muddy underbrush; it was Shalimar's necklace.