Disclaimer—See Chapter One
A/N: Can you believe it, only one chapter left after this one! This story seemed like it went by so fast! I cannot thank you enough for all your continued support, it helps so much! Things will finally get wrapped up in this chapter, so I hope you enjoy it! Special thanks to Mari who agreed with me that "something was missing" and helped me figure it out. Thank you everyone so much!
Things Best Known—Chapter Sixteen
Awareness came back in graduating degrees as Brennan's eyes fluttered open. Pain sliced through the haziness; his body hung heavy on the chains that forced his arms up and back, dull metal digging sharply into his raw wrists. The coppery scent of blood was strong in the air, and his eyes refused to focus as he struggled to raise his head. Shalimar's voice came floating back to him, and he forced himself to listen, clinging to the knowledge that if she was still talking, then she was still alive.
The front door stood open to allow the slight breeze to circulate. Lamps burned, and he could see Shalimar, seated in a chair. The concealed anguish in her face would not be recognized by anyone but himself. She pretended disdain for Steven and had never looked more noble than she did now, he thought. The love he felt for her consumed his heart.
"You're mad," Shalimar spoke. "You won't get away with this. Brennan and I will be free, you'll see. The others will come—"
"By now, they are wandering aimlessly around the fields." Steven gave a short laugh. "They are too stupid to see this place, only knowing what I tell them to see." He waved his knife carelessly in the air. "Why do you fight fate? You can't change it."
Shalimar glared at him as beads of sweat ran down her back. Dust was thick in the air, clogging everything it touched, and she coughed, hand wearily pushing her damp hair from her forehead. "I don't believe that."
"Ah!" He chuckled, kneeling in front of her, "Vain hope!" He lifted a finger, tracing her knee through her jeans. "It gives you such strength, such beauty."
She jerked her leg away from his touch, spitting in his face.
He smiled, calmly pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping his face. "And such fire. Save that passion, my dear, for when I cut you. I want that look to be the last expression captured in your eyes." He hefted his knife in his hands, testing its weight. "Too many died in fear. I knew that you would somehow be different."
She sucked in a deep breath. She had to keep him talking; it was the only way to stall him. She heard chains clinking together and knew that Brennan was stirring awake. "No!" Her mind screamed as Steven turned at the sound. "Not Brennan!" She jumped from her chair, rushing at Steven as he walked toward the back of the room and connecting with a high kick. She rolled in the air, landing in a low squat, waiting for his next move. He grunted as her foot made contact, crumbling forward to the ground. Shalimar's eyes flashed gold as she caught the scent of fresh blood, and her muscles tensed, poised to attack again, as he slowly rolled from his back to his stomach. He stared down in surprise at the knife sticking out of his shoulder.
"You got me," Steven murmured in wonderment, even as he raised a hand and pulled the knife out of his flesh with a loud grunt. He looked back up at her. "That's never happened before." He staggered to his feet, hand raising and halting her as she sprang toward him again. Her body suddenly felt weighed, and she fell to the ground, screaming as he lifted a heel and slammed it down on her injured hand. "As alluring as you are, you must learn to behave." He chuckled lewdly as he bent over, grasping her elbow and pulling her to her feet. "Trust me, even wildcats can be broken."
She jerked her elbow free from his touch, hated seething from every pore as he struck her across the face, unable to move as he held her frozen in place.
"It is time for a little breaking in." Steven caressed her face with the knife tip, and she jerked her head back in disgust. He laughed, turning his back to her and stalking toward Brennan.
"No!" She screamed, unable to move as he held the knife up in front of Brennan.
Steven spoke casually to her over his shoulder, running the steel edge of the blade down Brennan's chest. "Ever gutted a pig before, my dear? It's quite…arousing."
Despite himself, Brennan arched back against the wall, eyes following the fluid motion of the knife as it danced in swirling circles down his abdomen.
"It's not as pleasurable as gutting a sleek feral, but the idea is still the same." With a swift jerk of his arm, the knife sliced open Brennan's shirt.
"Stop it!" Shalimar twisted in desperation, fighting his control on her. "Come here!" She hissed, "It's me you wanted!"
"In due time." Steven waved a hand to her over his shoulder. "For now, enjoy the show."
"Leave her alone!" Brennan struggled against his bonds.
"Tsk, tsk." Steven clicked his tongue. "How brave you both are. And all in the name of love." He spat the word. "Love is an illusion, nothing more." He pushed Brennan's shirt aside with the knife. "Love brought you here, and now for love, you will die!" His arm jerked back and shot forward, burying the knife into Brennan's stomach, stopping only at the hilt. Brennan screamed in agony, body shuddering as the blade slowly twisted. Blood ran hot and heavy down the steel and onto Steven's fingers. He smiled at the sight.
"Brennan!" Shalimar was unaware she sobbed his name. "Brennan!"
Steven released her from his hold, and she sank bonelessly to her knees, hand shoved to her mouth in horror. "No!" She whimpered as Brennan's blood pooled below him, and his eyes lolled back in his head. She heard him whisper her name and then he sagged heavy in the chains, dark head hanging forward against his chest.
"No!" She suddenly found the strength to spring to her feet, only to scream in frustration when Steven against held her frozen in place. "You bastard!"
Steven smiled, turning from Brennan with a satisfied smile and crossing back over to Shalimar. His eyes sparked in desire as he saw her eyes glowing golden. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pressing her against him. She snarled, but his grin only widened. "Beautiful," He breathed, running the curved steel tip across her neck, smearing Brennan's blood on her. "You are truly remarkable."
She gasped, nostrils flaring as Brennan's scent hit her, and hot tears ran down her cheeks. She could no longer sense Brennan's presence.
"Hmm," Steven's eyes sparkled. "I truly enjoyed that demonstration." He waved his hands in the air, and suddenly she was sitting back in the chair.
"Shalimar!"
Her head whipped up at the familiar tone and she sobbed in relief as she saw Brennan very much alive and straining against the chains. It had all been an illusion.
Steven drank in the emotions spreading across her face, biting his lip and moaning, finger rubbing the knife. Shocked, she stared at him in disbelief.
He chuckled, eyes opening and looking her up and down. "Love is no more real than that little scene," He shrugged, hand closing around her upper arm and jerking her from the chair. "I just wanted to show you that before you die." He soothingly ran a hand down her hair, fingers suddenly grabbing a handful and yanking her against him. "Now you will not defy me again." He backhanded her, and she was helpless to fight back, body again stuck in his mind control.
Brennan growled in frustration as he watched the scene before him. He fought against the chains, swearing in helpless anger as they pulled taut, mocking him.
"You kiss Shalimar with that mouth?"
Brennan whirled around at the whispered comment, seeing nothing. "Lexa?"
He flinched as an invisible hand touched his shoulder. "We're here." She spoke calmly, soothingly.
"Get me free!" He gritted in a harsh whisper, eyes glued on Shalimar as she took another blow from the monster in front of her. "Damn it!"
"Hold still," She swiftly unfastened the chains on his wrists as he strained impatiently against them. "You can't let him know you're free yet, Brennan." She tried to talk reason into him. "Lure him over here, distract him, and then we'll attack him all at once."
He heard a soft shuffling sound and then she was gone. "Lexa!" She didn't answer.
He frowned at her words, hiding his hands behind his back as he flexed them, trying to regain the circulation where numbness had set in. His brain worked rapidly, thinking, trying to plan his next move. Everything in him wanted to rush to intercept the fight.
"Hey!" He roared at Steven in a loud voice.
Startled, Steven dropped his hold on Shalimar and whirled at the sound. "Well, well." His lips twisted into a mocking smile. "Sleeping beauty awakes. It's about time. I was getting bored waiting for you." He stalked closer, hands rubbing eagerly together. "Now the fun can really begin."
Brennan's eyes dropped to Steven's waist, where he had sheathed the knife. How long before he noticed the chains for his hands were loose?
"You're a coward," he retorted flippantly, working his sluggish hands behind his back to form a tesla coil.
"You'll not retain that cynical tone when I've split your tongue!" Steven's eyes glittered as he pulled his knife free. He came toward Brennan as if to do it then and there.
As he came close, Brennan's hands darted forward, throwing lightening into Steven's shocked face. The jolt hit, hurling him backward, crashing him into Shalimar as she came up behind him. She rolled, landing on her stomach and then quickly springing back up as Steven lurched to his feet, hand bracing his side. He ogled Brennan unbelievingly, as if he were a mirage.
"You!" Steven breathed. "I grow tiresome of you!" His hands rose into the air, trembling from pain as they stretched above his head.
Brennan threw another bolt at him, but he managed to deflect it, screaming, back arching as Lexa suddenly appeared behind him and shot lasers into him. He dropped to his knees, panting as his hands parted in the air, one facing Brennan and the other Lexa. Lightening streaks and laser beams dancing tantalizingly in midair before seemingly freezing and bending away from him. He gasped, hands falling back together at his side. Shaken and white, showing surprise and fear as well, Steven wiped away blood from his face and stepped back up. "You see! You cannot win."
Brennan grunted in determination, hands circling together to form a new, larger coil. Lexa stepped up next to him, and Shalimar next to her.
"You are wrong," Shalimar snarled at him, body itching for another chance to fight.
Steven's energy now flowed like spewing lava. His lips were drawn back in hatred as he shook the sweat from his eyes. "You are all dead!" His hand fell to his knife, intent on those in front of him.
With a soft whoosh, a dart flew from behind him, breaking through his defenses, and thrusting him through. Jesse smiled grimly as he stepped through the doorway, tranquilizer gun ready at his side.
Steven stumbled backwards, silently staring at them.
"It's over, Steven." Brennan spoke with finality.
"It will never be over!" He gave a harsh laugh, eyes bulging as his body jerked and teetered and then fell backward with a final thump.
Shalimar whimpered and fell to her knees in stark relief as time slowed down around her. She was vaguely aware of Dominion agents swarming through the doorway behind Jesse, enveloping around him and closing him off from her sight. Her tired ears picked up the buzzing sound of multiple voices and clinking chains being cut. Her hands shook as she raised them up, studying the vicious wound with morbid curiosity as her fingers hung lifelessly, failing to respond to her body's command to move.
She heard her name being called through the mad din around her and raised her eyes. Her gaze was caught and held by chocolate brown eyes filled with tender concern. Brennan! Her heart danced as she looked at him. They were free. They were alive. Her lips tipped back into a smile, and he returned it, warm gaze flicking over her with love and appreciation. Slowly, she pushed herself to her feet, hand held close to her side. He started to walk towards her, and before she knew what she was doing, she was running to meet him. He opened his arms to her, and they met in a crushing embrace. For some time they held one another as though afraid some new enemy would emerge to tear them apart.
"We made it." Shalimar breathed, hardly daring to believe it was finally over, pain forgotten as her eyes fell shut.
"Yeah." His arms tightened around her as he pressed a kiss to the top of her hair.
"I knew we would." She lifted her face to his, a smile of pure joy gracing her features. Never one to need too much coaxing, Brennan took full advantage of the action, bending his head down to meet hers. Before their lips met, Shalimar was vaguely aware of Jesse taking Lexa's arm and walking with her out the front door and onto the old porch, where they stood together, arms about each other.
"Are you ok?" Brennan husked as he pulled back, hand gently cupping her cheek, fingering the darkening bruise spreading across her face. She winced, but nodded as his thumb brushed across her swollen eye. His eyes narrowed as they lowered to take in her mangled hand.
"Shal!" He dropped to his knees before her, hands shaking as he reached for hers. She cradled it protectively against her stomach.
"It hurts, Brennan." Her voice wavered, but stayed strong as he carefully examined it.
"We need to get you back to Sanctuary." He stood back up, pulling her again into his arms.
She nodded her head against his chest. "I'm finally ready to go home now." She turned her face up toward his, seeking his comfort.
Brennan's arm slid tighter about her waist, the other hand lifting her chin, and she met his soft kiss. Her heart thudded in her ears as his lips moved gently over hers. They held to each other, lost in a world all their own as they became a part of the warm activity bustling around them. At last, with arms about each other, he supported her as they walked to the doorway, joining Jesse and Lexa. They paused in surprise as they stepped outside, watching in wonderment as the flaring dawn broke before them in glorious colors, alive with new hope and sweet promise.