Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the characters.
~*Shadows of Darkness*~
Shalimar's heart beat furiously as she impatiently waited for the elevator to make its decent into the basement. "We should have known he would try and get away. With everything he did while he was here we should have known how powerful he is." Shalimar paced waiting for the doors to open.
"We'll find him. I just hope we can convince him to..." Jesse's words were cut short by a sudden explosion that rocked the elevator car. The shaking sent them both reaching for the rails as they lost their balance.
"Oh, no. We're too late," Shalimar whispered.
"We've got more problems," Jesse stated as he went to the control panel and began pushing buttons. "The car's stopped."
Lexa had been waiting in the hall for Brennan to say goodbye to his friend. Just as he came out the door the emergency alarms began to peal. Hospital personnel were scurrying about. Just then a voice announced over the intercom, "The fire alarms have been sounded. All guests are instructed to follow emergency exit signs and leave the premises immediately. All personnel follow emergency procedures."
"Jesse, Shalimar, what's going on?" Brennan called.
"Brennan, it was Johnny, he never left the basement." Shalimar replied.
"We have to help get these people put of here." He told her.
Jesse huffed. "We're a little stuck right now."
Lexa creased her brow wondering what he meant. "Come again?"
"When we realized the guards were holding an illusion, we tried to get back down to the basement, but we didn't make it. The car stopped before it got into position to open the doors." Jesse put his hand to the door. "They're hot though. The fire is probably right outside."
"We're on our way." Brennan led and headed for the stairs.
"No, wait!" Jesse's voice stopped him in his tracks. "The emergency system probably automatically shut down the elevator's power generator. If you can get to the generator and give it a little power it should probably allow the car to run again." Jesse looked over at Shalimar who was now backed into a corner with her eyes tightly closed and her hands balled into fists. "And Brennan," he added in a whisper, "hurry. Shalimar's beginning to feel trapped.
"Generator's on the top floor," Lexa stated as she looked into Brennan's worried face.
"Look, Jess, you have to talk to her. Keep her calm and focused on you. If she loses her focus and the feral takes over, her fear will be uncontrollable."
They both turned and bolted up the stairs as they made their way through everyone who was being escorted out of the building to safety.
Jesse turned and gently laid his hands on Shalimar's shoulders. At his touch she jumped in shock. "Shalimar, it's ok. You have to keep focused on me."
"Jess," she gritted through clenched teeth, "I...I've to get...get out of here."
"I know, Shal. Now listen. Brennan and Lexa are on their way to the generator."
"Brennan," she breathed raggedly.
"Yes, he's gonna to get us out. He has to power up the generator and the car will start moving again. We'll be out in a little while."
"I can't hold out...much longer."
"I know. Shalimar you have to stay focused. You have to control your fear. When the power goes back on again, the door will open." Jesse's heart broke to see the fear in her face as she realized what that meant. "I'll be right here." As he watched, her eyes began to turn feral. He gently took her face in his hands. "Shalimar, look at me!"
She turned her glowing eyes on him. "Shalimar!" He stared into the golden orbs as he tried to get her to refocus on him. "Shalimar, I won't leave you! Do you hear me?" After only a second her eyes returned to their normal coloring and tears began to form. He pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you," he whispered.
Brennan and Lexa reached the service door which led to the uppermost floor of the hospital used for equipment and storage. Quickly, they searched the open floor and found the elevator servicing area. "Hey, Jess, we're at the elevator generator. It's reading, 'Emergency Shut Down.' How is she?" Brennan knew what would happen and felt awful not being able to get to her.
"She's trying to hang in," Jesse smiled at her. "Find the generator's power converter. If you give it enough power, it should run the system. Start out low so it doesn't blow out and then kick it up. You'll have to keep it charging until we get to a clear floor and the doors open to let us out or it'll just stop again."
"Here's the converter," Lexa offered. "Can you keep it charged until they reach here?"
"No," Jesse called back. "The doors have to open in the basement and re- close. After that, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to keep her calm."
"Stand back," Brennan told Lexa. "Jesse, just hold her and keep talking to her." He charged his hands and began to power the system.
"Shal, close your eyes and keep your head down. I'm going to mass around you. Everything will be ok."
They felt the car shake as the power began to kick in. As it settle into position the chime signaled the arrival at the previously requested destination. Shalimar whimpered and curled herself into Jesse's chest as he took a deep breath and shielded her. His solidified body allowed her little movement but her senses were screaming as she could feel the heat and flames rush into the newly opened area.
He could hear her growl as they waited the seemingly endless time for the automatic cycle to complete. As soon as the doors closed Jesse exhaled and fell away as Shalimar pushed out of his hold. She screamed as she turned and began pounding on the sides of the car.
"Shalimar!" Jesse forced his breathless body to function as he stood and pushed the controls to direct the elevator to the second floor. He knew the lobby would still be crowded and she needed space. "Shal, stop!" She needed more than him at this point and he knew it. "Brennan, we're going to the 2nd floor. I've lost her. Hurry!"
Her feral side was wild with fear. She couldn't control it any longer. Being trapped in the car was bad enough. The fire being so close took the last of her resolve. Trapped in Jesse's massed arms was the thing that pushed the feral in her over the edge. She had to get out. 'Break free' was all that ran through her now incoherent mind. As if struck she stopped suddenly. Deep in the back of her mind she was registering something else. "Shalimar ..." A voice was echoing from deep within. "Shalimar, it's ok. I'm coming."
Jesse noticed her distraction and knew what was happening. The car came to a stop at the 2nd floor and the chime rang again. He watched as she jumped back and cowered in the corner expecting the flames to return. "Shalimar," Jesse slowly approached, "Shalimar, it's ok. There's no fire. Do you understand? There is no fire." He watched her eyes changed back again and reached out to touch her arms. As the doors opened she screamed and dropped into a ball in the corner covering her head with her arms. "Shal, no. Look, there's no fire." He knelt in front of her and lifted her to her feet.
After the car was in place and the door was reading 'open' on the control panel, Brennan stopped what he was doing and raced for the steps. He knew Shalimar was in trouble and had to get to her quickly. He dropped down the steps jumping many at a time as Lexa followed as best she could.
As he approached the elevator opening he could see Shalimar struggling against Jesse's hold. Sliding to a stop on the freshly polished floor Brennan began to try to focus her attention on him. "Shalimar...Shalimar" He moved into the elevator car and took Shalimar from Jesse's arms. As she struggled against him he held her tightly in an embrace softly talking to her and letting her hear his voice. After a few more moments of struggling he could feel her begin to relax in his hold. "That's it. It's ok now. I'm here. You're safe. I've got you," he whispered as he gently stroked her hair.
"Brennan?" Shalimar's voice was thick and scratchy.
"Yeah, Baby. It's all over now."
"Jesse...where's Jesse?" A worried look began to cross her face.
"I'm right here," he answered as he stepped up to Brennan's side.
Shalimar released Brennan and moved to put her hands on Jesse's shoulders. "Jess, are you ok? I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"I'm fine. I wasn't worried. I know you could never hurt me." His charming smile always melted her heart. She hugged him, relieved that she hadn't lost total control.
"I think the emergency crews will be able to handle everything here. We should get home." Lexa stated as she began to walk down the hall. Jesse followed her after Shalimar moved back into Brennan's arms and they all headed home.
~*~*Thanks for all the reviews! They were great!*~*~
~*Shadows of Darkness*~
Shalimar's heart beat furiously as she impatiently waited for the elevator to make its decent into the basement. "We should have known he would try and get away. With everything he did while he was here we should have known how powerful he is." Shalimar paced waiting for the doors to open.
"We'll find him. I just hope we can convince him to..." Jesse's words were cut short by a sudden explosion that rocked the elevator car. The shaking sent them both reaching for the rails as they lost their balance.
"Oh, no. We're too late," Shalimar whispered.
"We've got more problems," Jesse stated as he went to the control panel and began pushing buttons. "The car's stopped."
Lexa had been waiting in the hall for Brennan to say goodbye to his friend. Just as he came out the door the emergency alarms began to peal. Hospital personnel were scurrying about. Just then a voice announced over the intercom, "The fire alarms have been sounded. All guests are instructed to follow emergency exit signs and leave the premises immediately. All personnel follow emergency procedures."
"Jesse, Shalimar, what's going on?" Brennan called.
"Brennan, it was Johnny, he never left the basement." Shalimar replied.
"We have to help get these people put of here." He told her.
Jesse huffed. "We're a little stuck right now."
Lexa creased her brow wondering what he meant. "Come again?"
"When we realized the guards were holding an illusion, we tried to get back down to the basement, but we didn't make it. The car stopped before it got into position to open the doors." Jesse put his hand to the door. "They're hot though. The fire is probably right outside."
"We're on our way." Brennan led and headed for the stairs.
"No, wait!" Jesse's voice stopped him in his tracks. "The emergency system probably automatically shut down the elevator's power generator. If you can get to the generator and give it a little power it should probably allow the car to run again." Jesse looked over at Shalimar who was now backed into a corner with her eyes tightly closed and her hands balled into fists. "And Brennan," he added in a whisper, "hurry. Shalimar's beginning to feel trapped.
"Generator's on the top floor," Lexa stated as she looked into Brennan's worried face.
"Look, Jess, you have to talk to her. Keep her calm and focused on you. If she loses her focus and the feral takes over, her fear will be uncontrollable."
They both turned and bolted up the stairs as they made their way through everyone who was being escorted out of the building to safety.
Jesse turned and gently laid his hands on Shalimar's shoulders. At his touch she jumped in shock. "Shalimar, it's ok. You have to keep focused on me."
"Jess," she gritted through clenched teeth, "I...I've to get...get out of here."
"I know, Shal. Now listen. Brennan and Lexa are on their way to the generator."
"Brennan," she breathed raggedly.
"Yes, he's gonna to get us out. He has to power up the generator and the car will start moving again. We'll be out in a little while."
"I can't hold out...much longer."
"I know. Shalimar you have to stay focused. You have to control your fear. When the power goes back on again, the door will open." Jesse's heart broke to see the fear in her face as she realized what that meant. "I'll be right here." As he watched, her eyes began to turn feral. He gently took her face in his hands. "Shalimar, look at me!"
She turned her glowing eyes on him. "Shalimar!" He stared into the golden orbs as he tried to get her to refocus on him. "Shalimar, I won't leave you! Do you hear me?" After only a second her eyes returned to their normal coloring and tears began to form. He pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you," he whispered.
Brennan and Lexa reached the service door which led to the uppermost floor of the hospital used for equipment and storage. Quickly, they searched the open floor and found the elevator servicing area. "Hey, Jess, we're at the elevator generator. It's reading, 'Emergency Shut Down.' How is she?" Brennan knew what would happen and felt awful not being able to get to her.
"She's trying to hang in," Jesse smiled at her. "Find the generator's power converter. If you give it enough power, it should run the system. Start out low so it doesn't blow out and then kick it up. You'll have to keep it charging until we get to a clear floor and the doors open to let us out or it'll just stop again."
"Here's the converter," Lexa offered. "Can you keep it charged until they reach here?"
"No," Jesse called back. "The doors have to open in the basement and re- close. After that, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to keep her calm."
"Stand back," Brennan told Lexa. "Jesse, just hold her and keep talking to her." He charged his hands and began to power the system.
"Shal, close your eyes and keep your head down. I'm going to mass around you. Everything will be ok."
They felt the car shake as the power began to kick in. As it settle into position the chime signaled the arrival at the previously requested destination. Shalimar whimpered and curled herself into Jesse's chest as he took a deep breath and shielded her. His solidified body allowed her little movement but her senses were screaming as she could feel the heat and flames rush into the newly opened area.
He could hear her growl as they waited the seemingly endless time for the automatic cycle to complete. As soon as the doors closed Jesse exhaled and fell away as Shalimar pushed out of his hold. She screamed as she turned and began pounding on the sides of the car.
"Shalimar!" Jesse forced his breathless body to function as he stood and pushed the controls to direct the elevator to the second floor. He knew the lobby would still be crowded and she needed space. "Shal, stop!" She needed more than him at this point and he knew it. "Brennan, we're going to the 2nd floor. I've lost her. Hurry!"
Her feral side was wild with fear. She couldn't control it any longer. Being trapped in the car was bad enough. The fire being so close took the last of her resolve. Trapped in Jesse's massed arms was the thing that pushed the feral in her over the edge. She had to get out. 'Break free' was all that ran through her now incoherent mind. As if struck she stopped suddenly. Deep in the back of her mind she was registering something else. "Shalimar ..." A voice was echoing from deep within. "Shalimar, it's ok. I'm coming."
Jesse noticed her distraction and knew what was happening. The car came to a stop at the 2nd floor and the chime rang again. He watched as she jumped back and cowered in the corner expecting the flames to return. "Shalimar," Jesse slowly approached, "Shalimar, it's ok. There's no fire. Do you understand? There is no fire." He watched her eyes changed back again and reached out to touch her arms. As the doors opened she screamed and dropped into a ball in the corner covering her head with her arms. "Shal, no. Look, there's no fire." He knelt in front of her and lifted her to her feet.
After the car was in place and the door was reading 'open' on the control panel, Brennan stopped what he was doing and raced for the steps. He knew Shalimar was in trouble and had to get to her quickly. He dropped down the steps jumping many at a time as Lexa followed as best she could.
As he approached the elevator opening he could see Shalimar struggling against Jesse's hold. Sliding to a stop on the freshly polished floor Brennan began to try to focus her attention on him. "Shalimar...Shalimar" He moved into the elevator car and took Shalimar from Jesse's arms. As she struggled against him he held her tightly in an embrace softly talking to her and letting her hear his voice. After a few more moments of struggling he could feel her begin to relax in his hold. "That's it. It's ok now. I'm here. You're safe. I've got you," he whispered as he gently stroked her hair.
"Brennan?" Shalimar's voice was thick and scratchy.
"Yeah, Baby. It's all over now."
"Jesse...where's Jesse?" A worried look began to cross her face.
"I'm right here," he answered as he stepped up to Brennan's side.
Shalimar released Brennan and moved to put her hands on Jesse's shoulders. "Jess, are you ok? I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"I'm fine. I wasn't worried. I know you could never hurt me." His charming smile always melted her heart. She hugged him, relieved that she hadn't lost total control.
"I think the emergency crews will be able to handle everything here. We should get home." Lexa stated as she began to walk down the hall. Jesse followed her after Shalimar moved back into Brennan's arms and they all headed home.
~*~*Thanks for all the reviews! They were great!*~*~