Disclaimer—See Chapter One
A/N: As promised, no more cliffhangers. Things will finally get resolved in this chapter! Thank you Lucy, Quadrantje, Fiery Feral, x-shalimar-x, Melodie, Rain (you must be a writer!), MariShal. I am so grateful to all of you. Mayra, thank you! :) Blackpanther and Brennan's Angel--thank you! You asked how much more I could push them...that's exactly the reason I'm not sure I can do a trilogy for this series! I don't know if I can think of anything worse (other than death, which I won't do) to do to them at this point! In my mind, I've called this the Emotions Series, since it was my goal to push them to the limits of their physical and emotional limits, first with Steven and then with natural elements. If anyone has an idea beyond that, I'd be happy to hear about it! :) So we'll see if the next story continues this series or starts a new one. Here is the next chapter for you, I hope the outcome is everything you expected, it was a hard chapter to write. I think I'm brain-dead at this point! :) I'll post the final chapter by the end of the week. Thank you!
Things More Beautiful—Chapter Seventeen
They were going to drown. She couldn't believe they had survived earthquakes and volcanoes and fires, only to be beaten by water. She spit out a mouthful of seawater as her head bobbed above the rough surface. A splash somewhere to her left whipped her head around and she realized with faint astonishment it was Chester, frantically trying to swim beside her. A wall of water slammed into her, pushing her under in a tumultuous swirl. She was tumbling, dizzy, lost. Something hit her hard, and then she was underwater, being pulled by something.
Was it a shark? Wearily, she struggled, mind sluggishly trying to comprehend what was happening. Doesn't hurt. Yet. Water pushed up her nose, and she gasped, gagging as water immediately flooded her mouth. And then she felt the sensation of hot, stinging air on her face. She blinked, coughing harshly, and realized it was Brennan who had her, one arm latched tightly around her waist as he pulled her further out to sea. She blinked again, surprised to realize she had her own hands wrapped tightly around Chester. She didn't remember grabbing the little dog. She fuzzily shook her head, reality seeping back in.
"Brennan! We're in water! Rockfish…and…and…sharks!" She flailed wildly, and Brennan pulled her closer, trying to pin down her arms.
"Shal, listen!" He ordered sharply, "We're ok!"
"We're ok? What does that mean? We're not ok! I saw a shark—I saw you—I thought you—"
"No, Shal," He tightened his grip as a massive swell pushed them back under. They came up choking, sputtering for breath.
"You're ok?" She stared at him.
"Yeah." He stared back. "I think that shark was just as scared as I was, Shal. All of the fish and sharks and even jellyfish are trying to get out of this deathtrap, out to sea now."
"But why?" She struggled to make sense of everything.
He glanced at her with a trace of sadness; she hadn't even realized. "Because the lava's reached the water." He nodded grimly over her shoulder as they treaded water.
"What?" Shalimar squirmed in his arms, turning to look back behind. All that was left of the pier were the last four uprights. Even as she looked, one of them leaned over in a sickly way and then disappeared.
"So at least sharks are the least of our worries right now," Brennan narrowed his eyes into slits, salt burning his vision.
"What…what…?" Shalimar suddenly perceived how shrill she sounded. She shut her mouth, cleared her throat, and became still. "So—so what's our biggest worry now?" She sounded less frantic.
"Just the same old lava." Brennan suddenly sounded tired.
"Oh. Where…is it? Where are we?" Shalimar could see nothing except his form, the tatters of the white shirt he wore, and a faint glimmer of his face. With odd fascination she thought how nice it was to see a real face, instead of the filthy gray wraith-faces they'd all had for the last so many hours. It occurred to her that she felt clean, and it as wonderful, even though the water was sandy and rough and much too warm. Still, she was grateful, for she felt she'd been filthy for ages and ages.
"…swimming further out to sea," Brennan was saying. "The lava's coming down at an angle, so it's reaching the water at different times. We're…uh…outrunning it."
Now Shalimar paid full attention to her surroundings. She twisted so she could again look behind them. Too close, it seemed, back where there had once been beach was now a glowing crimson river. She heard the sea boiling like a thousand feral cats hissing, their teeth bared. She gritted her teeth, grimly clamping down on her instinctual fear and concentrating on swimming. They had to get further out to sea.
She said nothing more, and they fought on. Behind them, creeping closer, was the lava spill, boiling the water close to the beach on contact. Though every fiber of her being fought against it, she went farther out, deeper, away from the superheated currents of water in the shallows. It made the going harder, and slower. But still, it wouldn't do them any good to be parboiled.
Brennan still had an iron grip around her, refusing to let go, even though it made it harder for both of them to swim. Chester was squashed between their bodies, paws flailing, eyes wide with fright as she fought to keep her nose above water. They didn't try to fight the waves crashing around them. Shalimar could feel Brennan knifing, making his body long and stiff, his one arm extended, so that he cut through the middle of the waves instead of them tossing him.
The glow from the lava lake was a baleful crimson, and the heat rolled over them, stifling them.
And still they swam.
Shalimar tensed as another thought struck her. "Brennan!" She wrenched herself out of his grip, turning around.
"What?" He strained for air, treading beside her.
Her head whipped wildly around, searching. "I have to go back—those women—"
"Shalimar, stop." He pulled her to his side again. "Stop. It's too late."
They stared at each other, chests heaving.
She broke the silence with a defeated groan.
"I'm sorry." His voice was a throaty whisper, and she realized for the first time he was shivering.
He was tiring. She wrapped her arms around his waist, lending strength. Waves heaved and shoved all around them, above them, and even below them. Wrenching, pushing, pulling, straining. It was her turn to be the strong one. She determinedly tightened her hold on him.
"Hang on, Brennan," She whispered, "Just a little while longer, hang on."
He nodded, jaw clenched tightly in attempt to still the violent shivers wracking his body. "Where the hell is Jesse?"
She didn't answer, but put her energy into anticipating the waves, using them up to scan the surrounding water. He had to be close; he just had to be.
The sea ripped them apart.
At the same instant, she got hit in the eye by a flying body. Chester She lost track of the little dog even as she was pulled under the water. She surged upward, fighting her way back to the surface, realizing they were caught in a riptide.
She couldn't see Brennan.
"No!" A furious sob ripped from her chest. "Brennan!" She was pushed under again, spinning in maddening circles before finding the surface again; choking, gasping. "Brennan!"
"Shalimar!"
A keening moan tore from deep within her throat. She could see him. She moved toward him with tired strokes, willing to use the last of her energy to reach him, waves tossing her the last few feet. She caught Brennan's arm as she tumbled past him, spun into him. She coughed hard rasping breaths, as she determinedly tightened her hold on Brennan.
"Shalimar!" Fright and exhaustion were obvious in his face, though she knew he would deny it.
She put her hands on his face, smiling at him. "You can't get rid of me that easily."
He gave a glimmer of a smile back. "That was supposed to be my line."
Shock. She could hear it in the lilting words; see it in his eyes as he struggled to keep them open against the sting of the salt water and fatigue. She wasn't much better off. A desperate whine over his shoulder caught her attention, and she shook her head in amazement.
"Brennan—look."
He sluggishly turned his head around, eyes widening as he spotted Chester bravely paddling toward them. The little dog was so weighed down, only the tip of her nose was visible. Shalimar reached over and plucked her out of the water, shoving her onto Brennan's shoulder.
"You see," She weakly chattered, trying to distract him with conversation. "We're going to be fine. Jesse will find us."
Brennan nuzzled the limp dog with his chin. "Yeah."
"Do you—" His hand let go of her, disappearing under the waves. "Brennan!" She grappled for him again, feeling him unintentionally pull her down with him as he tried to claw his way back up. She broke free, and her head popped back up again. She reached down and latched onto him again, catching Chester as she was almost swept away. Even though they were treading water, the tide was strong, pushing them out to sea. The water was slightly cooler now. The sky glowed, a flickering blood-red in the darkness, and she feared they would not be spotted.
"Brennan?"
He didn't answer.
"Brennan, wake up!" She shook him hard, trying to rouse him. "Brennan!"
She couldn't wake him up. She felt for his pulse, sobbing in relief when it thumped slowly but steadily under her trembling fingers. Jesse, where are you? The addition of his weight was already taking a toll on her; the effort to keep treading water for them both quickly becoming impossible. Her muscles burned fiercely; she wanted so desperately to stop.
Two Dominion helicopters and the helix searching, but they had found nothing. Jesse groaned in heavy frustration. Their rings were not tracking. Where were they? He turned the helix around again, impatient fear closing his throat tight.
And then as simply as that, he saw them. Two forlorn figures huddled together in massive swells. He swallowed hard.
The engine wash sent water flying everywhere. Jesse groaned convulsively when neither of them responded. He secured the line given him by one of the rescue helicopters and entreated Lexa to hold the helix as still as possible. He clipped himself to the line and scaled down, coming in behind Shalimar. She had Brennan in front of her, holding his head above water, treading for both of them. He was startled to see another set of eyes reflected back at him, and he blinked, realizing it was the tiny dog Brennan had found. It was clinging to Brennan's chest, back legs dangling in the water. Jesse slid his arm under Shalimar's shoulders, scared by her lack of response.
"Shalimar."
His heart froze until she turned her head toward him, eyes squinting tiredly. "Jesse."
He smiled in absolute relief. "Shal, I've got you now."
"Jesse?" Lexa's voice called down nervously.
"They're alive!" He hollered back up to her, unable to hide the joy in his tone. He heard her laugh with relief as he dropped himself down into the water, carefully turning Shalimar toward him, heart constricting at her weakness. "I'm sorry I was late."
"That's ok. I knew you would come."
He blinked back sudden tears at the simple trust in her whisper. He hugged her, taking a moment to realize they were safe. "I've got you now."
"I'm so tired."
He shook her until she looked back up at him. "Open your eyes, Shal," he grimly ordered, "Stay with me just a little while longer."
It took a moment for his words to register in her sluggish brain. She nodded and began kicking again wearily.
Jesse quickly worked to tighten the harness straps around Brennan.
"Shal?" Brennan mumbled fearfully when he started awake, realizing he wasn't touching her.
"It's ok, it's ok." Jesse quickly soothed, shifting Shalimar over so that she was between him and Brennan.
"Brennan," She reached over and ran shaky fingers across his cheek. His eyes dropped shut in obvious relief.
"Shalimar," Jesse waited until her eyes slowly focused back on him. "I've got Brennan attached to me with a double harness, but I don't want to leave you behind in this water. I need you to hang onto me."
She blinked, and slowly lifted her arms around his neck.
"Wait—" She weakly looked around, reaching out and grasping the tiny dog desperately paddling next to her. "Ok."
He smiled at her, then waved at Lexa as her pale face peered anxiously down from the open hatch of the helix. "Get us the hell out of here!"
Lexa scrambled away from the opening and then the winch began to lift them from the water.
Shalimar clung tightly to Jesse with one hand, resting the other on Brennan's chest as his eyes fluttered open, searching for her. The last thing she felt was Brennan's rough fingers rest on top of hers and then a blast of cool air as they were hoisted into the helix. And then all was dark.
A growl of thunder awakened her. Shalimar shot up, hands cowering instinctively over her head.
"Hey, hey, easy." Gentle hands pressed quickly, confidently against her shoulders, stilling her frantic thrashing.
"Jesse?" She cracked her eyes open, instantly slamming them shut again at the piercing pain. "Jess?"
His cool hand gripped her searching one, and she relaxed when she felt his lips brush reassuringly against her. "I'm here, Shal." She heard his voice crack. "I'm here now. "
"Earthquake," She started to struggle again.
"No, Shal, it's ok. It's just thunder, you're safe now." Jesse's voice was thick with emotion. His other hand closed around hers as well, cupping her hand in both of his.
His touch felt strange, and it took her a moment to realize her hand was bandaged again. Her tongue darted out and licked her burnt lips. "Brennan?"
"He's here too, Shal." Lexa spoke from across the room. "We've got you back at sanctuary now."
Her breath rushed out with relief. They had made it; against all odds, they had actually made it. Another thought crossed her mind. "The serum?" In the midst of their struggle, she couldn't remember if she had managed to hang onto the woman's bag. She didn't know what was in there, but she had a feeling it was her last hope.
Jesse's silence made her nervous, and she forced her eyes back open again, squinting against the harsh light.
Lexa's heels clicked loudly as she crossed the room. Seconds later, her fingers ran soothingly over Shalimar's forehead. "Don't worry about that, we're taking care of it."
"Of what?" Shalimar's voice rose.
"Calm down, Shal. You're going to be fine." He cupped her face, bending down so she could see his gaze. "You and Brennan are both going to be fine. Trust me, ok?"
Bleary eyes met determined blue ones. Finally, she nodded in acquiesce.
"Good." Jesse squeezed her fingers lightly as he exchanged glances with Lexa above her head.
"Sleep now, Shal." Lexa cleared her throat. "Brennan's right here, sleeping as well. You guys have been through a lot."
Brennan. Shalimar was instantly distracted. She again struggled against the hands holding her down. "I need to see him."
"Shalimar."
She couldn't ignore the command in Jesse's tone. She stopped struggling and reluctantly laid still, a frown expressing her extreme displeasure.
He chuckled lightly, not intimidated in the least as he pressed another kiss to her brow. "Good girl."
Her eyes silently followed them as they left the lab. As soon as the glass door whisked shut, she threw her legs over the side of the bed. Instant pain racked her body at the movement, and her knees immediately buckled beneath her. Gasping, she caught herself on the edge of the bed with her elbows. She felt a stinging rip on her hand and then slight drops of liquid as an IV disconnected. She hadn't even been aware it was there. She impatiently ripped off a few more wires.
Thunder again rumbled distantly, echoing through their rock home. She smiled at the irony. This time, they had run to the mountain, instead of away from it. Her bare feet shuffled slowly, painfully across the cold floor as she crossed over to the other med bed.
"Shal?" Brennan sounded agitated as he mumbled in his sleep. "Chester?"
She snorted wryly. At least he called my name first. She increased her steps as his face creased, and he hissed in a painful breath. The water had been hard on him. He had already exerted so much strength, so much energy before; it had stolen what little remained. Her throat grew tight at the thought.
He moaned again, softly, in distress, and she quickened her pace again, reaching out and catching herself on the edge of the bed as her shaky legs failed her. The muscles in her arms screamed as she pulled herself up, but she ignored them, drinking in the sight, the scent, of Brennan. Her breath hitched, and she mewed deep in her throat at the sight of his burned and battered face. Up and over the metal edge of the sterile bed she climbed, curling into his chest. He didn't move, but she sensed his immediate relief at the contact. Her fingers twisted into his shirt. It would take more than volcanoes and fire to keep them apart.
Jesse sighed as he ran another scan, checking and rechecking his work, needing to be sure. He started when Lexa pressed herself into his tense back.
"You got it right, Jess. Trust your work."
He nodded tightly, spinning around in his chair and pulling her into his arms, stroking her hair as he thought aloud. "After everything we've been through lately with the Dominion, it's hard to believe they would just hand over their research. I can't figure out what that woman's agenda was."
Lexa's nose wrinkled as she pushed it into Jesse's shoulder. "It's actually rather typical of the Dominion—to have agents working on a secret project designed to counter-act another secret project." She snorted. "Layers and layers. It's all about control, no matter what."
"Yeah," Jesse frowned, "But why do we always seem to get caught in the middle?"
"Come on." Lexa pulled back, wrapping her fingers around his and leading him forward.
"So," Jesse asked with a teasing grin as they walked down the hallway. "Where's Chester?"
"If you're referring to that four-legged monster, it's locked in Brennan's room."
Jesse laughed, jumping when a low beeping alarm started to trill. His smile dropped instantly. "That's Shalimar's monitors!" He raced back into the lab.
Lexa crashed into his back as he suddenly halted in the doorway. "Jesse!"
"Shh." He quickly side-stepped so she could enter as well, drawing her against his side.
Shalimar lay on top of Brennan's chest, curled in a fetal position, hands tucked under his shirt, head pressed against his heart. Brennan had one hand lying possessively across her hip, the other tangled in her hair.
They were sound asleep.
"Hey Jesse?" Lexa whispered after a beat of silence.
"Hmm?"
"Is that…purring?"
"Yeah." Jesse nodded with a soft mist in his eyes as he reached over to dim the bright lighting. The lab was awash in comfortable darkness, and his voice floated back over their quietly receding footsteps.
"She's home."