Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the characters. Rating: PG

~* Where Evil Dwells *~

Brennan knocked softly on Shal's door before stepping in. "You ok," he asked as he walked over to her. She looked over her shoulder, but then turned her head again and rested it on her pillow.

"She spent her whole life trying to save people from monsters like Marker...and she ends up becoming one." Tears rolled down her cheeks and dripped onto her pillow.

Brennan leaned against her bed. "Andrea..." His voice cracked. He hated to see Shalimar hurting. She was always so strong and to see her cry was painful. "She opened up the door, he just walked right through it."

"I never suspected her for a minute," she sobbed.

There was a moment of silence before Brennan spoke. "Think about it, Shal. She called you because she knew that you were the only one that could make it stop."

She bit back another sob. "Yeah, well, at the moment that doesn't make me feel a whole lot better."

Brennan sighed and placed a gentle hand on her arm. "She was an amazing woman and she did a lot of good. That's gonna be her legacy," he said softly as he rubbed her arm and shoulder.

"Yeah," She felt warm lips press tenderly against her temple and then leave. "Brennan, wait," she called as he started to leave. He turned to face her wondering what she needed. He would give her anything right now and do everything he possibly could for her. "Stay with me," she asked softly.

Brennan was a little shocked. He would have thought that she would want to be left alone right now, but nodding he took his shoes off and climbed up onto her bed.

Shalimar moved over and waited for him to lie down before snuggling into his arms. "I feel like if I let you leave something is gonna happen and I'll never see you again," she said as a few tears trickled down her face.

Brennan pulled her closer and held her. "Shalimar, nothing is going to happen."

"You don't know that."

Brennan kissed her head. "You're right, I don't." He gently started to rub her back. "I do know that you feel like everyone you care about is being taken away from you. First Emma, and Adam, now one of your best friends, and that's hard. I'm going to do everything I can to help you through this and do everything I can to keep this team together so none of us have to lose anyone else we love."

"I thought you wanted to leave."

"Huh?"

"Remember, after Eckhart took the chip with the cure? When we got back you blew up and said you wanted out."

Brennan could hear the insecurity in her voice as she spoke. He closed his eyes and sighed remembering that day. Apparently it had made quite an impact on her. He couldn't believe that she still thought he would leave. "I don't think I wanted to leave so much as just get away for a little while. I was angry at the time and frustrated. I didn't mean everything I said. I need to be here for you... and... I need to keep things straight around here. You, Jesse and Lexa can be slobs sometimes," he joked trying to lighten the mood a little.

Shalimar chuckled and smiled up at him. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For listening to me and being my shoulder to cry on."

Brennan lifted her chin and placed a gentile kiss on her lips. "I'll always be here for you."

She smiled and wrapped her arms around him as she closed her eyes and fell asleep. "I love you," Brennan whispered to the beautiful sleeping feral. He pulled her closer and kissed her head before drifting off beside her.

~*~*Sorry it took so long to get this one up. Hope you liked it! Please review!*~*~