Disclaimer—See Chapter One
A/N: I've got ten chapters written so far, so I'm not sure yet how long this story will be, but I will keep writing and updating as fast as I can. For those that asked, I'm afraid there isn't much of Jesse/Lexa so far in this story, although they will reappear at the end of the story. I have received many requests to write more of them, so while I will always write stories focused on Bren and Shal, I will try to incorporate more of Jesse/Lexa in the next story. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this story! Again, be warned, this chapter is a bit slow-moving, but I promise it does pick up soon. I spent a long time doing research for this story, so I'm afraid I may have gotten a bit carried away with the descriptions! :) (Yes, this is set on a real island; it took me forever to find one that fit my idea! Although of course, there is no secret Dominion lair…) In any event, thank you everyone so much for your support!
Things More Beautiful—Chapter Two
They rose up like twin sisters, two massive volcanoes looming in the background of the tiny South Pacific island they found themselves driving on. Up and around, the rough dirt road wove, slowly carrying them deeper inland. Black beaches and sparkling waves soon gave way to coconut plantations and lush rainforest. When Jesse had flown them in the helix, he had been forced to land just beyond a small airstrip on the west coast of the island. Lexa's contact had informed them that the Dominion had a Science lab buried in the heart of the island, but was inaccessible by air. He hadn't been kidding. The road, if it could still be called that, was rapidly disintegrating before their eyes, and Brennan nervously gripped the steering wheel of the old truck the Dominion had waiting for them at the airstrip. A beat-up truck and a hand-drawn map hidden under the driver's side seat; it felt as if they had stepped back in time fifty years.
"Watch out!" Shalimar suddenly screeched, and Brennan whipped his eyes back to the road in time to see tumbled debris of mud and rock blocking the path. Brennan slammed on the brakes and jerked the wheel sharply to the right. The old truck gave a protesting groan as it did his bidding, shuddering as they skidded over mud-slick vegetation. Muscles strained to turn the wheel again as they careened off the trail and dangerously close to the embankment. Brennan grunted as Shalimar's hands reached over and together they turned the sluggish wheel, sighing in relief as they bounced back onto the road.
Brennan released a loud breath, shifting his weight as he became aware of a broken spring poking into his backside. "That was close."
"Too close," Shalimar peered through the dirty windshield as the remaining bit of road faded and they found themselves fully surrounded by giant tree ferns.
"Trust the Dominion to send us nothing but the best," Brennan grumbled, glancing over his shoulder at the shaken occupant in the backseat.
"Do you think we're going the right way?"
"We've got to be almost there, the map indicates there's no road for the last few miles." Brennan's hand waved to indicate the crude map Shalimar clutched in her hands.
"Assuming the thing's drawn to scale," she frowned, turning the wrinkled paper back and forth, unsure it was even right-side up.
"I think we need to make a quick pit-stop," Brennan commented, eyes again drifting to the rearview mirror.
"Did you have to bring that thing along?" Shalimar wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"What?" Brennan's tone rose defensively. His hand reached behind him to scratch Chester's head as she stood up behind Shalimar, front paws braced against the back of the seat. "It's not like Lexa would have watched her for me, and I didn't have time to find a kennel."
Shalimar rolled her eyes, sending a quiet warning growl as Chester leaned further over her seat, scruffy head peering over her shoulder.
"Shalimar." Brennan reprimanded her with a frown.
She chose to ignore him, turning her eyes back to the paper map. Drip. Something wet landed on her shoulder. Drip-drip.She turned her head to see a long pink tongue hanging inches above her shoulder.
"Argh! Brennan!"
He laughed at her, coaxing the old truck to a stop. Chester immediately bounded into his lap, stubby tail wiggling her whole body in her excitement.
"Stay close," He warned the little dog, cracking the door to let her out. "Do you think she'll be ok out there?" Brennan watched as she disappeared into the thick jungle to do her business.
"It's a dog, Brennan. It'll be fine." Shalimar barely spared him a glance as she compared the crude map to the outside surroundings. "You know," She murmured, "I think this dot here is supposed to be that giant tree over there."
"Uh-huh." Brennan didn't take his eyes off the window.
"And I think this little symbol here could be the top of the crater just visible above the tree line." She gestured to the horizon with her chin.
Brennan gave no sign of hearing her.
"If I'm right, the Dominion office should be just over that rise." She watched his brow furrow as he searched the terrain for a glimpse of the dog. She rolled her eyes at him. "And…did you know I'm sitting here without any clothes on?"
There was a beat of silence.
Brennan looked up. "Hmm?"
"You're not listening to me." She crossed her arms.
"Yeah I am." His head glanced back to the window, brightening as Chester came trotting into view.
She gave up, sternly pointing Chester to the backseat of the truck. With a small whine, the dog obeyed. "Can we go now?" Shalimar grumpily asked.
It took a few tries, but the engine finally turned over and Brennan steered them through the thick jungle. Shalimar kept her head turned, watching the scenery as they crawled along in silence.
"You ok, Shal?" Brennan finally asked, reaching one hand over and threading his fingers through hers.
"Yeah," She couldn't stay angry at him for long. She threw him a quick smile, relaxing as his thumb gently stroked her palm. "Just thinking."
"You nervous about working with the Dominion again?" He brought her hand up to his lips, pressing a quick kiss against her fingers.
"Not really." She shrugged. "Maybe a little." She bit her lip, thinking. "I don't trust them Brennan, not after—not after what they tried to do to me."
His fingers tightened on hers, cursing under his breath as he had to suddenly release her hand and grab the wheel with both hands to avoid a large tree trunk directly in their path. She unbuckled her seatbelt, sliding across the large single seat to lean her head against Brennan's shoulder. He pressed a brief kiss to the top of her head, fingers white as he struggled to turn the sluggish wheel. He didn't dare let go again, eyes instead glancing down to meet hers reassuringly.
"We'll keep on eye on them together, Shal. I won't let them hurt you ever again."
She smiled in appreciation, leaning her leg against his, loving the flex and pull of his muscles against hers as his leg moved between pedals. They fell into silence again, warm and comfortable as they inched their way through the jungle. Slowly the terrain changed, and fern shrouded mists gave way to dry, cracked earth and ancient lava flows. From seemingly out of nowhere, a large building loomed in front of them. Shalimar shivered; they were at the Dominion.
Three hours later, Shalimar shivered again, skin prickling and protesting as Brennan shook out his wet hair all over her sun-drenched back. She threw him a mock glare through her sunglasses, too lazy to even raise her head.
It was hard to remember their hesitations about taking on this case, basking in the sun as they were. She purred in contentment. They had arrived at the office, only to be pleasantly surprised to find it contained a housing wing, complete with swimming pool. It felt like they had arrived at a resort, rather than a secret lair swarming with Dominion agents. After being shown to their rooms and arranging to meet the scientist in the morning, they had been left alone in the secluded area.
"A pool, Shal," Brennan had looked like a little kid on Christmas morning, eyes glued on the sparkling water as he swiped at the rivulets of sweat running down his brow.
"We're on a volcano, we didn't bring swimming suits."
"So?" He had waggled his brows at her, "There's no one else around…"
A shout of laughter broke through her reverie and she smiled affectionately as Brennan romped around the pool with Chester. The ugly little dog yapped joyfully as it followed him around. Brennan's black boxers clung to him, outlining his body to perfection. Shalimar shivered again, for a different reason this time. Her lips curved into a satisfied smile as she continued to watch him. Back home, it was fall, and the evening air carried the cool, nippy reminder that winter was not so far away. It was evening, but here, the sun still shined bright and warm as it hovered heavy in the sky. It was almost surreal to be enjoying the beautiful, tropical setting with the mouth of a volcano rising up behind them. Barren ash plains were visible beyond the immediate tree line, a reminder they were on the edge of nowhere.
She laid her head back down, arms crossed over her head, eyes dropping shut in the quiet peacefulness of the evening. She was vaguely aware of Brennan's footsteps as he again approached where she laid, of him picking up a towel, and plopping down next to her. She felt his eyes caress her skin, goosebumps rising as his hand followed, landing gently on her back.
"Hi," He bent over and pressed a warm kiss on her bare shoulder. Droplets fell off his hair and landed on her skin, shocking her with its base coldness. It was an arousing mix of warm and cold as his lips again pressed against her. His hands cupped her shoulders with a gentle squeeze, moving into a light massage, relaxing her further.
The sun slowly set behind the mountain, casting them into comfortable darkness.
"Hey Shal," Brennan nudged her shoulder, "Look."
She rolled over and gasped, awestruck at the angry red plumes of smoke drifting out of the volcanoes.
"What is that?" She stared at the fearsome sight, reaching for her shirt and slipping it back on over her head.
"Jesse told me about it," Brennan whispered in her ear, arms wrapping around her as she pressed her back into his chest. "The volcanoes are continually venting, it's just more visible at night."
They were silent as they watched the sun disappear completely and the sky light up with an eerie red glow. The office loomed up, gigantic in the night, swallowing stars and sky.
"Come on," Brennan finally stirred her awake as she lay almost dozing in his arms. "We should get some sleep so we're ready for tomorrow."
She nodded, stumbling to her feet with a giant yawn and heading up toward their room.
Brennan smiled as he watched her sleepily stagger ahead of him in her underwear and t-shirt.
"Hey, Shal?"
"Yeah?" She glanced back over her shoulder as he came up behind her, slinging an arm around her shoulder.
"Nice hearts."
It was an ongoing game between them. Still, her face flamed even as she shook her head in chagrined amusement. "Thanks." Her tone was dry as she swatted at his chest.
He chuckled, reaching down and pinching her playfully.
"Brennan!" She squealed, running ahead of him, laughing as she turned around, walking backwards and pointing at him warningly. "You're asking for it."
He just waggled his eyebrows as he followed after her into their room, Chester trotting behind.
Shalimar couldn't stop chuckling to herself as she got ready for bed. She took a quick shower and dried her hair as Brennan settled into bed. She opened the bathroom door, only to stop short, eyes narrowing as she saw a quivering brown body snuggling against Brennan's broad back. "Sorry, Chester," she snapped her fingers, "I'll be the only one sleeping with Brennan tonight." She could have sworn Chester shot her a challenging smile before turning back to Brennan and nuzzling his ear with a sloppy, wet tongue.
Half-asleep, Brennan stirred slightly. "That feels good, Shal."
Her eyes shot open, hand clamping over her mouth to stifle the laughter bubbling in her throat. This could be interesting. She leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.
"Don't stop," He murmured as Chester pulled back, tongue happily panting above him. He started to roll over after a moment when she didn't respond. "Shal?"
"Over here, Brennan." She couldn't hide her giggles anymore.
She watched as he froze mid-roll, head whipping around to see who was in bed with him. "Chester!" His finger pointed to the rug on the side of the bed.
The dog gave a pitiful whine, but Brennan didn't relent, pointing again to the rug. She slunk down to the floor, tail hanging low. "Good girl," Brennan leaned over the bed, scratching the top of her head. Her stubby tail thumped in pleasure against the floor, sadness already forgotten.
Shalimar climbed into bed, arms automatically circling around Brennan as she laid her head on his chest. He reached over to turn off the lamp, and the room fell into soft darkness.
Her giggles broke the quiet night air.
"Oh shut up."