Disclaimer—See Chapter One
A/N: There always seems to be one chapter that I don't like in each of my stories, this chapter being it for this story. I've been staring at it for a while now, but finally decided to post it as is. On the plus side, this story is now completed, so I can update more frequently! (Cristina, I've been challenged! I hope the plot will be able to keep your interest!) This chapter moves a bit slow, but things pick up after this one. Thank you everyone for your feedback, please continue to let me know if you have any questions! Thank you!
Things Best Known—Chapter Ten
"Brennan, hurry up!"
Shalimar shook her head at Brennan as he dashed around her room, searching for his shoes. He had tossed them off the night before, and was convinced they had grown legs and walked away during the night.
"Come on, Bren. You're already ten minutes late." She tapped her toe, arms crossed as he skidded to a halt in his bare feet, giving her an exasperated look.
"Well, help me look then."
She rolled her eyes as he paused to look in the closet; he had looked there three times already.
"Did you look under the bed?"
"Yes."
She frowned at his annoyed tone. "Behind the desk?"
"Yeah, I looked there too." His arms waved in frustration as he again paced around the room.
She thought for a moment. "By the door?"
"You're standing right there, do you see any shoes?" His voice was heavy with sarcasm.
"On the patio?"
He grunted. "Never went out there."
Her lips twitched as he circled by her yet again. "The closet?"
He paused, hand shooting out to wrench the close door open before he realized what he was doing. "Shal!"
She laughed.
"You're not helping." He eyed her grumpily. "Come on, help me out here."
"Alright." She closed her eyes and lifted her nose into the air. She opened her eyes a second later to find Brennan kneading his temple in aggravation. "What?"
"You're just gonna stand there?" He stared at her in annoyance.
Her brows rose. "Check the bathroom, Brennan."
"The bathroom?" He snorted. "Why would I look in the—" He broke off abruptly and disappeared without another word, only to return a moment later with shoes in hand. "How'd you know?" He was slightly red-faced.
Her lips curved with satisfaction. "I smelled them."
"You smelled—" He shook his head. "I don't even want to know."
She laughed. "Probably not, now put them on so you can go meet the slut."
"Shal—"
"I know, I know," She frowned. "Now get going."
He came to a stop before her, "You know I don't enjoy this."
"So you say." She muttered under her breath, arms automatically circling around his neck as he pulled her into his arms.
"Give me a kiss for good luck?" He grinned, attempting to cajole her into a better mood.
"Humph," She huffed under her breath, smiling anyway as she pulled his head down for a long kiss that soon left him breathless and wanting for more. "There." She smiled smugly. "Now you won't forget me."
"Like I ever could," Brennan husked, capturing her lips for a final brief kiss before opening the door and peeking out. Seeing that the hallway was clear, he stepped out, poking his head back in with a wide grin. "Although, you may want to rethink your strategy."
Her forehead creased with confusion as she pondered his words. He waited until he saw her eyes widen with sudden understanding. "Brennan!"
He laughed and waggled his eyebrows at her, head disappearing as he made a fast getaway.
She stared at the closed door with a moody glint in her eyes as she realized she had just gotten him all worked up right before sending him into the arms of another woman. I REALLY hate her. Her foot kicked the door.
Downstairs, Brennan paused in the dining room entryway as he noticed Allie sitting at a table with another man. He noticed the nervous tension in Allie's shoulders just as the man suddenly straightened up and turned towards Brennan. Almost like he sensed me.The man gave no sign of recognition, but his eyes locked with Brennan's, a secretive smile stretched on his thin lips. He knows. The thought hit Brennan with crystal clarity. Determined to keep up the act, he planted on a wide, innocent smile, happily greeting Allie with a kiss on her cheek. His brows raised in slight surprise at her lack of warmth. Normally she hung all over him, but today her adoring eyes were glued on the man next to her. Another thought became very apparent to him. She was using him just like he was using her.
He eased his body into a chair, casually picking up a menu and perusing it. He needed a few minutes to think, but was afraid to form a coherent thought with the psionic sitting across from him. He knew without a doubt the man across the table was the mutant he was after.
He watched as the man stared pointedly at Allie for a moment, and he watched as Allie finally seemed to shake herself of the daze she was in. She turned towards Brennan rather reluctantly.
"Good morning, Darling."
"Good morning." Brennan waited for her to take the lead. She was silent until the man cleared his throat.
"Oh," She fluttered nervously, "Forgive my bad manners." She laid a hand on Brennan's arm, but her eyes were again caressing the other man. "Brennan, this is my friend Steven," She gushed his name. "And Steven, this is, ah, Brennan." She made him sound like yesterday's garbage.
Steven ignored her, holding his hand out to shake Brennan's. His slate gray eyes seemed to spark a challenge, daring him. I'm not afraid of you. Brennan lifted his hand off from where it rested on his thigh.
"Don't let him touch you!" Jesse's voice suddenly hissed in his ear. He dropped his hand back to his leg, nodding in acknowledgment instead.
Steven smoothly placed his hand on the table, eyes conceding smug defeat.
His expression gave Brennan chills. He looked so confident, so sure of the outcome. Why did the Dominion fear him exactly? What was he capable of? Shalimar was just upstairs; too close. He had to draw the man away.
"Allie and I had plans to go on a picnic today. You should come with us."
"No, thank you." The man coolly declined, again smiling that small, secretive smile that seemed to suggest he knew everything going on in Brennan's head.
Allie turned pleading eyes on Steven. "Oh, please. Come with us." She looked devastated when he shook his head.
"No, you and Brennan need time alone together." His eyebrows raised, prompting her, "Yes?"
"Yes," she nodded obediently, again turning to Brennan. "The kitchen can prepare a lunch for us."
"Why don't you go on," Brennan hemmed, "I, ah, I need to grab something from upstairs. I'll meet you back down here in a few minutes." There was no way he was leaving Shalimar alone with Steven in the hotel.
He made his excuses and left the table, racing up the stairs as soon as he was out of their sight.
"Jesse!" He huffed as he ran. "What's going on?"
"Brennan!" Jesse's voice rang through a moment later, "The Dominion knows that Steven's shown up. They want to switch back to their original plan."
"No!" Brennan stopped dead in the hallway, lowering his voice when a couple walking past turned to stare at him in confusion. "Jesse, that is not an option."
"I don't know what this plan was, but Lexa's not looking too happy either." The frown could be heard in Jesse's voice. "She won't tell me anything."
"Why did you tell me not to touch him?" Brennan suddenly changed the subject.
"I don't know what's going on here, Brennan, but you need to be careful. According to the database, he can sense emotion, but beyond that he can connect directly with your mind if contact is made." Jesse paused, taking a breath. "This guy's dangerous."
"Damn it," Brennan swore under his breath. "Thanks, Jess." He cut the connection abruptly, running the rest of the way to the room.
Shalimar stared at him in surprise when he burst into the room, gasping for air. She had been in the middle of getting dressed, and she held her shirt up against her chest.
"Brennan?"
"Sorry, Shal," He held up a hand in apology, "I didn't mean to scare you."
She calmly pulled her shirt over her head, giving Brennan a flash of rounded curves and toned stomach muscle. "What's going on?" She flipped her wet hair over her shoulder, walking up to him in concern.
She had just come from the shower. Brennan groaned as her scent hit him, and he desperately pulled her into his arms.
She felt the fear in his embrace and pulled back, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Brennan?"
"He's here, Shal."
Her brows furrowed. "The mutant? Well, good. Let's catch him and end this then."
"No!" Brennan forcibly shuddered. "You cannot go near him, do you hear me?"
She stiffened and wrenched herself out of his embrace, stalking back towards the bathroom.
"Shal, wait—" Brennan swore to himself. He didn't have time for this right now. "Please."
She stopped in her tracks, but didn't turn to face him.
"Please, Shal. This has nothing to do with me not trusting you or your abilities. You have to leave, right now. I can't explain, but I need you to trust me on this one." He held his breath, watching as her shoulders stayed tense for a moment before slumping in defeat. They both sighed at the same time, he in relief and she in frustration. She slowly turned back around.
"I hate this, Brennan."
"I know." His eyes offered silent apology.
She pinched her nose, taking another deep breath. "Alright," she finally agreed. "What do you want me to do?"
"Thank you."
Her eyes dropped shut at his whispered words, stunned by the fervored relief in his tone. His arms wrapped around her again, and he buried his nose in her damp hair, taking comfort in her.
Her arms circled around his waist, offering reassurance. "Brennan?"
His hands framed her face, "I need you to leave, Shal." His eyes were pained as they bore into hers.
"Ok." She agreed slowly.
"Out the back, where no one can see you."
Her brows rose. "We're on the third floor."
"Can you jump down from the balcony?"
"Of course, but Brennan, why?"
His fingers tightened until they dug almost painfully into her skin. "He can't see you, Shal."
She frowned, but nodded anyway.
His lips found hers, kissing her. "We have to hurry." He reluctantly broke away and led her to the balcony. She watched as he pulled back the heavy drapes, carefully looking in all directions before opening the sliding door.
"Brennan, it's ok." She tried to get him to relax, "I don't sense anyone near." She stepped out on the balcony, peering over the edge. "Where am I going anyway?"
He stepped up behind her. "Sanctuary."
She turned back towards him to protest, but his gaze shot over his shoulder as a knock sounded at the door.
"Brennan?" Allie could be heard faintly through the door.
"Go, Shal!" Brennan quickly gritted, fear slashing across his features.
She stared at him, torn, before conceding. She jumped up on the railing, balancing with ease as she squatted on the high bar.
He reached up and gave her a final, desperate kiss. "Be careful."
She smiled confidently before disappearing over the edge.
Even though he knew she could handle the distance with ease, it still unnerved him to see her jump. He rushed to the bar, even as Allie knocked again with loud impatience. His fingers clenched the railing, still warm from where her body had been pressed against it, watching as she landed gracefully on her feet and walked over to her jeep.
"I love you," He breathed to the air.
She turned to give him one final glance, as if hearing him, before climbing in and driving away in a plume of dust.
"Brennan!" Allie sounded angry now as she pounded on the door.
He walked back into the room, taking a deep breath.
It was the beginning of the end.