Disclaimer—See Chapter One
A/N: I'm still working my way through this story, so not sure yet how long it will be. So far I have roughly 16 chapters outlined, number 8 is being written currently. I'll keep updating as much as I can! Thank you so much to Mfkngst, Lady Alexandra, Melodie568, Rain (welcome back!!), Rachel, Fiery Feral, Colleen, Lauren13, Jessica, Catjerica, Marishal! Your encouragement means the world to me, thank you! Quadrantje and Mayra—very perceptive! Glad you noticed those things! :) Thank you! If you have a chance, check out the new Communities link on the upper right-hand side of the MX page. There are some great groups. I started a Brennan and Shalimar one, so please subscribe if you're interested or let me know if you'd like to add your stories to the collection as well, I'd love to add more! But anyway, enough of me rambling, here's the next chapter for you. Thank you so much!
All Things—Chapter Four
She wasn't crazy. She laughed in relief as she stomped the snow from her feet, leaning her forehead against the wall. They were just headaches after all. She wasn't imaging things, she couldn't be. Footsteps were tangible things. She had been so afraid that something was wrong. Something was wrong, but not with her. She rubbed her temple, willing the lingering headache to ease up. Perhaps it was her senses going into overdrive, trying to warn her. First Lexa hiding something from them and now someone right outside Sanctuary. She didn't know what exactly was going on around here, but she would find out. And she would start with Lexa.
Brennan heard the sound of Shalimar's laugh coming from the garage and poked his head in, frowning as he saw her leaning against the wall, laughing. She was alone.
"Shal?" He approached her cautiously. "You ok?"
She turned toward him with a smile. "I'm fine, Brennan."
"Ok." He came to a stop in front of her.
She could tell he was trying to read her, could sense the concern rolling off him in waves. Her heart melted, she loved him so much. "I know what you're thinking, Bren."
"You do?" He spoke carefully, eyes searching hers.
"You think something's wrong with me."
His eyes flickered, and he shifted his stance.
She smiled, resting her hands on his crossed forearms. "It's ok; I was starting to wonder too. I've been having these—these headaches the last few days."
He grasped her hands, squeezing tight. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"It's ok, it's just a headache." She pulled her hands free, lifting them and framing his face, letting him see her fully. "There's something going on around here, Brennan, but it's not with me."
He studied her for a moment, seeing the truth in her brown eyes. She wasn't hiding anything from him. Shoulders slumped in relief, and her hands stroked his cheek in silent understanding. She understood. He rested his hands on her shoulders, pulling her close. She laughed again, and he laughed with her, pulling back and capturing her lips in a sudden kiss. His lips were needy, moving desperately over hers, and she soothed him, slowing him down with gentle nudges, reassuring him, loving him.
Finally he pulled back, eyes deep and dark. "I was so worried, Shal."
His whispered confession broke her heart. She lifted her arms, pulling his head down and holding it tenderly, fiercely against her chest. His eyes fell shut and he wrapped his arms around her body, pressing his nose into her softness. Her heart beat steadily, and he focused on the sound, breathing in the scent of her. She lifted his head again, capturing his lips in another deep kiss. Emotion shifted, and they drank each other in, sinking together to the floor with a rasping gasp before claiming each others lips once more.
Sanctuary was quiet as evening set in. Lexa glanced both ways before slipping into her office, locking the door behind her. Once inside, she blew out the breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding. Crossing the room, she paused in front of the bookshelf, revealing a hidden compartment. Thick liquid glinted in the dim light. Mesmerized, she ran a finger down the side of the glass, swearing under her breath when she realized liquid was beading on the outside. Peering closer, she saw a tiny hairline fracture in the vial and dried stains around the base, indications that is had been slowly leaking. She swore again, slamming the compartment shut and shoving books back in front of it. Her computer beeped as she headed toward the doorway, but she ignored it, pressing her ear against the door, listening for a moment before walking back out into the hallway. She made it to the lab without running into anyone, and she quickly ransacked the cupboards. Jesse must have extra vials stored somewhere. She bent at the waist, checking lower cupboards next.
"Lexa?"
Jesse's voice sounded from just down the hallway. She glanced toward the door, yanking yet another cupboard door open. Where the hell were those vials? Footsteps grew louder as Jesse approached and she took a deep breath, bending the light so she disappeared from sight.
"Lexa?" Jesse poked his head into the lab, glanced briefly around and then left, the door swishing shut behind him.
She waited until his footsteps retreated down the hall, then resumed her search, finally finding what she was looking for in the last cupboard. All lined up in perfect rows, she laughed as she saw them. Jesse was neat to a fault; she was surprised he didn't keep the contents of the cupboards in alphabetical order. She pulled a vial from the back row and disappeared back down the hall, in the opposite direction of Jesse's voice as he called for her.
They had ended up between her motorcycle and the dented snowmobile. Shalimar chuckled as she looked around her.
"Well, this is new."
Brennan laughed aloud at Shalimar's comment, pulling her closer as she tried to stand up.
"Stay."
She couldn't resist his plea, and settled back down, resting her chin on his broad chest as she lay on top of him. His hands ran idly up and down her spine, and she tilted her head up, watching him.
"What are you thinking about?"
He smiled at her soft question. "You."
She smiled back at him in return, and his heart thudded in his chest. She was so beautiful. He breathed the scent of her hair, cascading down her back. He slowly drew back, catching her hands together at his chest, and looked into her face. She waited, watching him. She looked like an angel, peaked brows over dark melting eyes, lips the color of dawn, darker now from his kisses. He wanted more. He wanted to kiss and hold her all through the day and into the night. As if reading his thoughts, she drew him back and kissed his lips softly, then circled his neck and kissed him deeply.
"Hey guys, I've been looking everywhere for--Whoa!
Jesse's shocked voice interrupted them. Shalimar looked up in time to see Jesse hastily whirling around, turning his back to them. She sprang to her feet, face red as she quickly adjusted her clothing, throwing Brennan his shirt as he looked around.
"S-sorry." Jesse stumbled on the simple word, staring at the doorway with desperate longing.
"Did you, ah, did you need something?" She did her best to sound as if it were a perfectly normal situation to carry on a conversation.
Jesse's hand rose to scratch the back of his head. She couldn't see his face, but she could practically see him struggling to form words. Poor Jesse. He always seemed to catch them at the most inopportune of times.
"I was, uh, looking for Lexa."
"She's not in here." Shalimar volunteered.
"Obviously." Brennan muttered, wincing as Shalimar jabbed him with her elbow, "Er, nope haven't seen her lately."
Jesse shuffled his feet at the awkward silence. "Ah, ok." Unable to bear it anymore, he jolted for the door.
Shalimar collapsed against Brennan, laughing in embarrassment. "It's all your fault."
His arms wrapped around her. "My fault, why?"
"Do you really have to ask?" She elbowed him lightly again as he began to nuzzle her ear.
He chuckled, breath warm on her skin, tamping down his want. "I think you'll be the death of me yet."
"Don't say that." She jerked away and whirled fiercely around to face him.
He pulled back, surprised at her sudden vehemence. "I was just teasing."
"Don't." She gripped his arms, "Don't ever joke about such a horrible thing."
"Ok." He ran his hands up her arms and along her shoulders, soothingly. "You're right, I'm sorry."
"It's ok." She sighed, kneaded her temple, feeling another headache coming on. "I'm going to find Lexa." She started to turn around, but he stopped her.
"Shal?" He tipped her chin up, puzzled by her sudden change of mood.
"I'm fine, Brennan. I just want to talk to Lexa, see if I can find out what's going on around here. I think she may know something." She turned back around, and he let her go this time, frowning after her disappearing figure.
She said she was fine. He stared at his empty hands. He so desperately wanted to believe her.
Her headache was back. Shalimar pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration, ignoring the unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach. She turned the corner just in time to a flash of light as Lexa reappeared in front of her office. Why was she walking around invisible? Shalimar dunked back behind the corner as Lexa's dark head turned towards her. She waited, moving forward once she head the office door swing shut.
Murmuring voices told her that Lexa was once again on a conference call. She pressed her ear against the door, easily picking up the conversation and hearing her agree to a meeting. The call ended abruptly, and Shalimar melted away into the shadows before Lexa could open the door again.
"Hey, Shal." Jesse looked up from the computer as Shalimar wandered into the lab.
"Hey." She greeted him back, perching on the edge of one of the beds. "Find Lexa?"
"Yeah." Jesse sighed, looking back at his computer.
Shalimar watched him for a moment. "You two doing ok?"
Jesse looked up, surprised at the question. "Yeah, we're good."
Shalimar raised her eyebrows pointedly.
"Ok," Jesse laughingly conceded at her look, spinning away from the computer and giving her his full attention. "Seriously, we're doing fine. I just worry about her working so much. She can't let it go sometimes, you know?"
"Sounds like someone else I know."
Jesse laughed again, hands raised. "Point taken." He paused, thinking. "I just wish we could have more time together, besides just working I mean. Half the time she's got her nose buried in some secret."
Shalimar glanced up sharply. "Does that bother you?"
"A little," Jesse admitted, shrugging. "But I trust her."
Shalimar frowned at his words, glancing back up as he came near.
"Got a few minutes?" He changed the subject.
"For you, always." She smiled, "What's up?'
"I'd like to do another scan on you."
Her smile dropped. "Why?"
He put his hand on her shoulder. "I just want to make sure you're ok, Shal."
"I'm fine, Jesse."
"Please, Shalimar. I worry about you. That serum really did a number on your system. I just have to make sure." He shot her an endearing grin.
She never could resist that look. "Oh fine." She pouted as she swung her legs up onto the bed.
"Thanks." Jesse gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before strolling back over to the computer.
"Hey, Jess?"
"Yeah?"
"Sorry about earlier."
Jesse's brows drew together in question, winging upward when understanding dawned. "Oh. That."
"We'll be more careful, I promise. I mean, I know how I'd feel if I were to suddenly stumble onto you and Lexa." She made a face, searching for words. "I'd be---"
"Scarred for life?" Jesse helpfully volunteered with a grin.
"Point taken." She smiled ruefully.
"Don't worry." Jesse threw her a smile over his shoulder. "It's already forgotten. Now lay still." He clicked a few keys, watching as the scan slowly began moving down her body. A moment later, results began appearing on his screen.
Shalimar sat back up as soon as the scan finished. "Well?"
Jesse's eyes flew across the screen. "I'm not a doctor, but everything still looks good. No sign of the serum." He looked up. "It's been three weeks. I think you're in the clear now."
"Good." Shalimar hopped off the bed.
"The only thing I see is that your blood pressure is a little high." Jesse continued reading the screen.
Shalimar leaned back against the bed. "What could cause that?"
Jesse thought for a moment. "Oh, lots of things." He ticked a list off his fingers. "Change of diet, medication, stress, pregnancy—"
"We're pregnant?" Brennan's face was pale as he interrupted, stepped into the lab.
"We?" Shalimar looked at him, a small smile playing around her lips.
"Pregnant?" Brennan's voice came out as a squeak.
"You said we." Shalimar repeated with a grin, ignoring his question.
"Yeah." Brennan sank down next to her, staring at her.
Jesse took pity on him. "Breathe, Brennan. You heard wrong. No one's pregnant around here."
"Oh." Brennan's color slowly returned.
Shalimar shook her head, laughing at him. "If and when that ever happens, I won't need one of Jesse's scans to tell me. I'd just know."
Brennan smiled, framing her cheek with one hand. Someday, his eyes seemed to promise her. They stared at each other until Jesse pointedly cleared his throat.
The rest of Shalimar's sentence finally sank in, and Brennan turned toward Jesse. "You ran a scan?"
"Just as you asked. All clear."
Shalimar stiffened, pulling away from Brennan. "You asked him to scan me?"
"I was worried about you." He reached for her again, but she pulled back, seething.
"I told you I was fine. You only pretended to believe me?"
"No! Shal—"
"It's not like that, Shalimar." Jesse calmly broke in.
She whirled toward him, taking him back with the fury building on her face. "And you! You said you were worried about me."
"Shalimar, I do—"
She made a swift chopping motion with her hands, cutting him off. "No, you obviously don't. Not if you're conspiring with Brennan behind my back."
"Conspiring?" Brennan took a step forward, grasping her arm. "Shal, calm down. We just wanted to make sure you're alright."
She wrenched free, glaring at both of them, chest heaving in anger. "I told you. I'm fine. If you want to worry about someone, worry about Lexa!"
"Lexa?" Jesse stared at her in confusion. The feral's face was red and mottled with outrage.
"Yes, Lexa!" She spat her words. "She's been lying to us, getting calls she's denied, arranging secret meetings. I saw her."
"Shal," Jesse shook his head, trying again. "She's just doing her job."
"You believe her over me?" Her fists clenched in cold fury.
Stunned, Brennan stared at her. What was this? Gone was the smiling face that had looked so tenderly at him just moments before. In its place was a face etched with terrible anger.
Jesse cautiously stood to his feet. "What's gotten into you, Shal? Why are you suddenly attacking Lexa?"
"Attacking?" Shalimar snorted derisively. "She's got you fooled, Jesse."
"Stop it, Shalimar." He took a step near her, arms crossed defensively. "She hasn't done anything but help us since she got here."
"Oh," Shalimar retorted hotly, "She hasn't done anything but help herself to your bed!"
Jesse's eyes glinted, and he took another step forward.
"That's enough." Brennan stepped between them, tone boding no argument. He stared Jesse in the eyes. "Let it go."
The muscles in Jesse's jaw clenched tightly for a moment and then he blew out a breath, nodding.
"Shalimar?" Brennan's tone softened as he turned toward her with a questioning gesture.
Her face twisted with emotion, and she backed away, both hands clutching her temple. "Leave me alone, Brennan." She took two more steps backward before turning and running, feet pounding down the hallway.
"Shalimar! Damn it!" Brennan whirled and banged his fist into the wall. "What the hell is going on around here?"
Still angry, Jesse threw his hands into the air.
Brennan grumbled under his breath, hitting the wall again for good measure on his way out. He had to find some answers. He paced the hallway, thinking, halting as Shalimar's earlier words came back to him. She had thought she ran into someone outside. Cold fear washed over Brennan at the thought, and he turned mid-step, walking back to the garage. He paused to pull on his boots, throwing the door open.
Chester came bounding toward him, barking excitedly.
"Not this time, girl." Brennan bent down and petted her for a moment before carefully closing the door on her crestfallen expression. He didn't want her in danger if there was someone out there. Cautiously, he stepped through the makeshift path he and Jesse had shoveled. Seeing the point in the snowbank where Shalimar and Chester had scrambled over earlier, he stepped up onto the bank, relieved when his feet only sank a few inches. Shalimar's footprints were clear in the smooth snow, obviously following Chester's as they weaved down towards the forest. Brennan followed, seeing the area where she had run and then knelt in the snow. Chester's prints were easy to pick out, making random patterns as she must have gleefully scampered through the snow. Also marring the smooth surface was one other set of animal tracks, circling the area. Brennan frowned, eyes desperately raking the ground with growing dread.
White fields of snow rolled undisturbed as far as the eye could see, smooth and gleaming in the moonlight.
There were no other footprints to be found.