Disclaimer—See Chapter One
A/N: I'm now working on chapter 11, so am getting a better idea of the direction of the story now. (Thanks Redhead2, for your advice in your review!) But here is chapter 5 for you in any event! Thank you everyone for your comments and feedback, it means the world to me! Also, just a side note, this chapter and the little shower scene, were written before I saw the finale! I hope you continue to read and enjoy! Thank you!
Things Best Known—Chapter Five
He smiled at her as she dug through his suitcase, looking for something to borrow. He smiled at her as she held up an oversized t-shirt and shot him a triumphant grin. He smiled at her as she breezed through the bathroom, fingers waving at him before disappearing behind the closed door. He held his smile until he heard the shower turn on, then he frowned. What was he going to do? He ran his hand through his hair, thinking, before knocking on the bathroom door.
"Hey Shal?"
"Yeah?" Her voice floated back to him above the sound of pulsating water. He shivered as the sound of falling water changed to the distinct sound of water hitting naked flesh. A naked Shalimar stood just beyond that door. If only that was all he had to worry about. He shook his head.
"Want me to wash your clothes for you?" She had been lamenting about how dusty and sweaty they were.
"Yeah, thanks!"
He hesitated a moment, then turned the door handle and entered the already steamy room. He tried in vain not to stare at the figure faintly visible through the frosty glass shower door. He hastily bent down and picked up her jeans and shirt, hesitating again as her undergarments tumbled out from the pile.
"Uh, Shal?"
"Yeah?"
"You ah, you want me to have them wash everything?"
Her head poked out from behind the glass, grinning at his eyes instantly bounced around, looking everywhere but at her. He was trying so hard to be a gentleman.
"It's ok, Bren," She spoke soothingly. "I promise not to jump out naked in front of you. You can look."
His eyebrows shot up as she laughed brazenly at his expression. He focused his eyes on her, deliberately sweeping them down her creamy neck and shoulders. "Too bad."
"Brennan!" Her voice came out in a squeak as she ducked back behind the door.
It was his turn to laugh at her. "Seriously Shal," He poked his boot at the lacy bit of material lying on the floor in front of him, "What do you want washed?"
Her head popped back out, laughing again as she saw him cautiously nudging her underwear with his foot. "You can leave that for now. I'll take care of it later."
"Ok," He paused to throw her one more smile before backing out of the room. He blew out his breath, collapsing against the other side of the closed door. There was no way he could keep this up if she stayed here. He had to find a way to get her to leave. He gripped the clothing in his arms and crossed to the phone, ringing for laundry service, forehead creased in deep thought.
Seven o'clock. Shalimar's eyes shot open as she jerked upright from her lazy position on her bed. It was already seven. She was supposed to give Brennan some message from Lexa about something happening at eight o'clock. She had completely forgotten. She clicked off the TV she had been watching out of boredom, and sank back to the edge of the bed, chewing her thumb in thought. Brennan was in the dining room with her. He had asked her to stay in her room while he worked more on Allie, trying to gain her trust for his mission. While she had no desire to watch him with the floozy, she knew she had to get the message to him. Decision made, she jumped up from the bed and walked downstairs.
The dining room was elegantly lit for the evening hour. Light pooled from discreet lamps and fresh rosebuds graced every table. She paused in the doorway, swallowing as she suddenly became aware of Brennan's baggy t-shirt hanging off her slim figure and falling down past her knees. She was wearing a ratty pair of sweatpants, the only other item she had found buried in the back of her jeep, leftover from some long forgotten run. One leg was pushed up higher than the other, exposing her white socks and scuffed tennis shoes. She had never felt frumpier, and she inwardly cringed as Brennan's date arched a delicately shaped brow at her.
"My dear, are you still here?" Her voice easily carried above the murmur of the dining room. She leaned in closer to Brennan, cozily circling a hand around the crook of his elbow. "She simply has no taste, does she?" Her eyes deliberately raked across Shalimar as struggled to push the oversized sleeves up her arms.
Shalimar refused to be intimidated. She planted her feet firmly and met her gaze with an uplifted chin. "Brennan?" Her eyes never left her face, "Can I have a word with you?"
"Ah, sure." He stammered as Allie's fingers dug into his arm. He turned towards her with a placating smile. "I'll be right back, ok?"
Allie frowned, but nodded, hand stealing up to curl around the back of his neck and pulling him down for a swift kiss. "Sure." She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, staring at Shalimar the entire time.
Shalimar turned quickly on her heel, walking out of the dining room and back into the main lobby. Brennan appeared next to her a moment later.
"Shal," He hissed into her ear, "I asked you to wait upstairs. I can't—"
"Save the lecture, Brennan." She glared at him as she reached up to wipe red lipstick off his mouth, "I just came to give you a message."
"Oh." He stilled as her fingers brushed across his lips. "I'm sorry about that, Shal," His hand gestured to the dining room behind him.
"Don't," She interrupted him. "Not now." She pulled her hand away. "Lexa asked me to tell you 8pm."
She watched as he quickly glanced at his watch and then swore under his breath.
"Well?"
"Well, what?" He glanced back up at her, distracted.
"What's at 8pm?"
"Nothing," he hemmed, glancing quickly over his shoulder to check on Allie. "Listen Shal, I better get back to the table, but thanks for giving me the message." He squeezed her hands, and then he was gone.
She bit back the growl that sprang to her lips, frustrated over the whole situation. Something happened at 8pm, and she would be sure to be there when it did. But first she had to get back into her own clothes, she decided as the shirt again slipped over her shoulder and she tried uselessly to tug it back into place.
Twenty-five minutes later she was about to step out of her room when Brennan suddenly loomed in the doorway. She found herself studying him for more lipstick smudges. He smiled at her as he caught her gaze, knowing full well she was inspecting him and that she was also about to follow him.
"Shal," He closed the doorway, leaning against it with a casual air.
"You can't stop me." She folded her arms, prepared for battle.
He chuckled wryly, arms raised in defeat. "I already know better than to try."
"Good." She beamed up at him. "So where are we going?"
"We are going nowhere." He stepped further into the room. "I've got to stay here to distract Allie, so I need you to go to the meet for me."
"Ok." She nodded her head, satisfied that she would finally figure things out. "Who am I meeting?"
"I don't know exactly." Brennan came to a stop in front of her, holding out a matchbook between his fingers. "I was given this part of the message earlier. I was told I would be meeting someone here at this bar, but hadn't been given the time."
She took the matchbook and studied the name of the bar printed on its cover. "The Cheating Heart. Lovely."
"Yeah, I know," He ducked his head. "Ironic, huh?"
"It's alright, Brennan." Her fingers brushed against his cheek. "I know you're only staying with her for this case. I don't mind."
He raised his eyebrows.
"Well, maybe a little."
His lips twitched in amusement. "Oh, Shal," He whispered pulling her into his arms. "What would I do without you?"
"Let's never find out." Her arms rose up and wrapped around his waist, nose wrinkling as she could smell that other woman all over him. She didn't like to think of her by name, and she most certainly did not want to think about what kind of past Brennan had with her. "Go," she whispered to him a moment later, pulling back slightly. "Go on. I'll take care of the meet."
"Thanks, Shal." His fingers rose up to twist around her slightly damp hair. "Be careful, alright?" He bent down and pressed a gentle kiss against her lips. He released her a moment later, surprised when she suddenly pulled him back down to her, tiny hands framing his cheeks as she kissed him deeply, thoroughly.
Finally, she pulled back, smirking as he panted heavily. "That was just so you won't forget."
"Like I ever could," he huskily murmured, pressing his forehead against hers.
"Good." She smiled cheekily at him before disappearing out the door.
He smiled as she walked away. He smiled as she wiggled her fingers at him. He smiled as the door fell closed behind her. He held his smile until her footsteps faded away down the hallway, and then he frowned. He kneaded his temple as his headache came back full force. She was going to kill him for doing this to her. But he had no choice. He glanced at his watch and sighed as he saw it was almost 8pm. He pulled the door open and glanced in both directions before hurrying down the hallway, stepping outside and going in the opposite direction he had sent Shalimar. He had to hurry or he would be late for his meeting.