Disclaimer—See Chapter One
A/N: I'm now in the middle of chapter eleven, so it's slowly coming along! I just have to add a little disclaimer and say the same thing I said to my beta writer: trust me and don't kill me! :) There is a method to the madness that is this story. :) So I know parts are confusing, but it's meant to be that way. My challenge is to balance that confusion so I reveal enough without giving way too much, if that makes any sense at all! Thank you for your amazing feedback. Rain, Mayra, Blackpanther, Fiery Feral, CatJerica, Melodie568--thank you so much! Quadrantje, my professors always lectured to me that words are the only things that should be in a story; hence paragraph breaks should be indicated with proper transitions, not marks. I will work on my transitions and try to make it more clear whose point of view is being spoken! Sorry about that! Although there are times in this story, such as the ending of the previous chapter, that it is purposefully vague. I hope that is ok! Jessica, where else can we find them if not in our dreams and in fanfic?! :) Thank you so much. Thank you everyone for your feedback and support. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
All Things-Chapter Six
She was walking in the hallway. She knew the way, but was amazed by the density of the darkness. She looked up. No lights to be found. A shiver ran down her back. She glanced over her shoulder, but there was nothing there. She sighed, and kept walking. The darkness was almost tangible, giving the illusion of substance, and she stopped suddenly, reaching out to touch what appeared to be there. All her senses probed the darkness, but her hand slid through empty air. Nothing, only her mind playing tricks. She licked the dryness from her lips.
Suddenly from her left, a huge shadow leapt from the rafters, landing in the hallway before her, and she just had time to make out a vague shape before it attacked. Her heart pounded in her ears as she stood frozen, watching as the thing came down upon her. She couldn't move, and sharp claw-like fingers reached for her as the walls began to close in. She was trapped. All her flesh trembled, and she crouched, throwing her arms over her head, frantic to cover herself. But it wasn't enough, and despairing, she closed her eyes, waiting for the pain. Prey. Fear. Darkness. A cold shadow taking form. In the back of her mind, she knew it, somewhere deep. Suddenly the shadow moved again with great speed, and in a rush came recognition and terror; she screamed.
Something pressed on her eyelids like weights, and then she realized it was her eyelids. A throbbing awareness kindled and strove through the mire that slogged her mind. Her eyes flickered open, and light, soft light, flooded her senses. Her chest felt constricted, her head throbbing a rhythm with no tune. Her mouth was filled with down, a thick cloying dryness. She breathed in great gasps as the familiar walls of Brennan's bedroom washed over her. It was just a dream. She willed her heart to stop its mad pounding. Sweat ran down her back, and she realized with a start that she was hot, so hot. She flung back the downy comforter, staggering out of the bed and falling on her hands and knees to the floor, groaning. The floor was mercifully cool, and she pressed her forehead into the slate as waves of nausea rippled through her again and again. A tiny head butted against her shaking arms, and she squinted one eye open to see Chester nudging her, trying to get her to rise. A half-sob escaped her lips as she rolled to her side, gathering the quivering little dog in her arms as her rough tongue licked her face eagerly. She curled her legs up to her chest, staring at the soft wash of light shining in from the small frosted glass window in Brennan's door. It couldn't be much past dawn she dully decided, relieved when her stomach finally stopped rolling. She didn't know how long she lay there, but as her body finally stopped shaking and her eyes grew heavy, she crawled back to the bed, head pressed into her pillow, staring at Brennan. He looked so peaceful; his long form partially hidden by covers representing all that was safe and warm. She reached a hand out to shake him, and his eyes slowly opened to focus on her.
"Hey," he whispered sleepily.
"Hey."
For a few moments they stared at each other, while he waited patiently for her to let him know why she had awoken him.
"I can't sleep," She finally confessed, eyes begging him to understand.
He stared at her for a few more seconds and then lifted the covers, beckoning her closer as he slid back a little to make more room.
She could smell his musky scent, and she crawled over, welcoming the warmth of his body as she realized she had grown cold again. She must have lain on the floor for a long time. He brought the covers back over them both, smiling when he felt her cold feet pressing against his calves. He wrapped one leg around hers as he pulled her against him, staring into her eyes as she shared his pillow. They crinkled tenderly back at him, but he could see a hint of something darker within their depths, and he wrapped his arm more fully around her.
"Bad dream?"
He knew her so well. She nodded her head against the pillow, and he reached up to brush her tangled hair off her face.
"Try to sleep," he gently ordered, "I'll protect you from the monsters." One lid dropped in a teasing wink.
Her lips curved gratefully, smiling back at him as she brought her mouth to his in a slow kiss. She shifted closer yet, t-shirt riding high on her thighs. His hand stroked from her waist down to her hip, following the curve to her thigh, pushing up under her borrowed t-shirt and teasing the sensitive skin of her stomach, chasing away the lingering bits of fear from her eyes. She drank in the comfort he offered, eyes closing as he pressed his lips against each lid, thumb stroking her cheek, murmuring gentle words until she felt herself drift off once again.
The next thing she knew a hand was on her arm, and she startled awake to see Jesse standing over her. Light was strong now, filtering into the room through the open door, and Brennan still slept behind her, arm heavy across her stomach. She must have turned during the night.
Jesse held a finger to his lips, whispering. "Dress warmly and meet me in the garage."
He went out, and Shalimar slipped out of the warm cocoon of Brennan's embrace, pausing to press a soft kiss to his forehead and then padding to her own room to shower and change. Jesse waited for her outside. With the rosy glow of winter sky behind him and the white cloud of his breath as he leaned on the doorframe, she stopped to watch him. He turned, looped her neck with a scarf and handed her some mittens.
"What's all this?" She tugged the red mittens on.
"I thought we should talk." He took her arm, leading her down the path. His mouth quirked as he gestured at the mountain. "Thought this would be neutral territory."
She stopped walking, raising her face to his apologetically. "Jesse, I was out of line yesterday." She shook her head. "I'm so sorry."
He turned towards her, relief evident. "I hate it when we fight." He suddenly grinned, brows raised. "You scare me when you're angry." He laughed as she lightly slapped his chest.
"Forgive me?"
"Always." He pulled her into a hug, then leaned back, wrapping the scarf more securely around her neck. "Let's walk."
She smiled, leaning on his arm. "It snowed again last night."
"I like it," He commented, looking around. "It's like a fresh start."
She squeezed his arm in understanding, enjoying the silence as they continued to walk. Snow crunched under their feet, scattering the fine powder that covered the old snow. The brilliance of the sparkles dazzled their eyes as the dawning sun crested the horizon.
"We've come a long way, Shalimar." Jesse broke the silence finally, voice low as he watched the sunrise.
She nodded. "Little did we know what life would bring us when we arrived here all those years ago."
"Do you miss it?"
She turned towards him, not understanding his question.
"Adam being here and having all the answers, not having to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders."
She shook her head. "I miss Adam. Emma." They smiled at each other sadly. "In some ways it was easier back then, we didn't know what we do now. We were sheltered even more than we knew."
"Yeah." Jesse sighed heavily.
"But we're still together," She rested her head on his shoulder as they continued to walk. "And I couldn't imagine life without Brennan."
"Or Lexa."
Shalimar stiffened at the mention of her name. Jesse frowned slightly, stopping them again. "What?"
She dropped her eyes. "I'm sorry, Jesse. I know she's our friend and she's helped save us countless times, I just—" She paused, searching for words. "I just get tired of the secrecy sometimes."
"I love her, Shal."
She swallowed tightly. "I know, and I'm happy for you, I really am." She couldn't explain the recent unease she felt, so she let it go, unwilling to cause more conflict at the moment. She would sort it all out later. She smiled up at him.
He grinned back; shivering as he suddenly slapped his arms against his sides. "It's cold out here, Shal. Let's go back and get breakfast." He pulled her into another quick hug before they turned back around.
Brennan and Lexa were waiting just outside Sanctuary when they returned.
"You two are mad!" Lexa hollered as they came near. "It's freezing out here!"
Jesse bent and scooped up a handful of the fresh powder, quickly forming a ball that he hefted into the air.
Lexa's eyes widened and she ran for the doorway with a screech. "Jesse! Don't you dare!"
He laughed, making chase.
Shalimar shook her head at their antics, walking the rest of the way as Brennan waited for her. In the clear light of the morning, it somehow seemed that everything would be ok, and she grinned at him as he caught her gaze and held it. His hair was woolly with flakes, day-old whiskers iced and cheeks raw. She blinked at the sudden rush of tears, ashamed she had doubted him for a second, doubted any of them, and rushed forward the rest of the way, catching his cold cheeks between her palms with a laugh.
"I missed you this morning." His breath was white with every word.
"Good." She smiled saucily up at him.
Suddenly he crushed her into his embrace and buried his face in the crown of her hair for a moment, laughing with her as he half carried, half swung her inside and kicked the door shut with Chester jumping around them in eager jubilation. He cupped her head, raised her face, and kissed her.
"You need a shave." She pulled back, waggling her brows.
His eyes sparked. "You offering?"
She grinned over her shoulder at him as she turned to hang up her coat. "Maybe. But first you have to feed me."
He groaned good-naturedly, catching her hand as they walked towards the kitchen.
Jesse and Lexa looked up as they entered, ingredients for omelets already scattered around the counter.
"Just in time," Jesse appealed to Shalimar as crossed over to the fridge and pulled out the orange juice. "You guys mind cooking this morning? I heard my computer beeping for me as we came in."
"Yeah, go ahead." Shalimar rolled her eyes as he brightened, "I know you can't survive for long away from that thing."
"He'd marry it if he could," Brennan laughed as he sank into a stool, leaning his elbows on the counter.
"He better not," Lexa huffed, exchanging a warm smile with Jesse as he grinned back at her as he left the room.
Shalimar eyed the dark-haired woman, but she could sense no secrets from her this morning. She relaxed her shoulders as she cracked eggs into a bowl. "Make yourself useful." She slid a cutting board over to Brennan, tossing him a bright pepper.
He caught it with one hand, grumbling under his breath as he started to slice it. As much as he loved eating, he hated to cook. At Shalimar's pointed look, he snapped his mouth shut, remembering her earlier comment and deciding it was in his best interest to behave.
Lexa smirked at him as she finished shredding the cheese and sprinkled it onto the egg mixture Shalimar was pouring into the griddle. "Can you move any slower with that, Brennan?"
Brennan caught her expression, shoving the cutting board and knife over to her. "Here then, you finish." He stood to his feet, leaning across the counter to steal a handful of the leftover cheese, pouting at Shalimar as she slapped his hand away.
"Don't eat that," She reprimanded, "That's for the omelets." She shook her head as he took a big gulp of her orange juice instead, reaching up to wipe the liquid off his upper lip. "Helpless baby," She whispered tenderly.
He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her thumb, shoulders drooping when she next handed him an onion.
"You're not getting off that easy." She laughed, waving the spatula at him.
"Hey Brennan!" Jesse's voice called from the other room. "You gotta see this!"
"Ha!" Brennan grinned, tossing the onion back at her as he jumped to his feet. "Duty calls!" He dashed from the room before they could stop him.
"Men." Lexa's fingers closed over the knife, slicing cleanly into the pepper.
Shalimar nodded in agreement, glancing at the other woman after a few moments of silence. "Hey Lexa?"
"Yeah?" Lexa picked up the onion next, knife poised to slice as she looked up at Shalimar in question.
"Why did you lie to us about not talking to your contact?"
Schnit. The knife whistled as it slammed through the onion.
"I didn't lie."
Shalimar bit her lip. "But I saw you, in your office."
Schnit. Another chop and the onion fell apart.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Shalimar blew out a breath in determination. "Does it have anything to do with the envelope from the meet?"
Schnit. Schnit. Her knuckles tightened on the knife. "I said I haven't talked to him."
Shalimar threw the spatula on the counter, and it rattled loudly in the silence. "I saw you."
"Leave it alone, Shal." Schnit. Schnit.
"Or what?" Angry, she spun, hands on her hips.
Lexa turned towards her, fingers white as she tapped the flat end of the knife meaningfully in her palm. "Or there may be consequences." Two sets of eyes followed the knife as the tip gleamed in the light. "Leave it alone."
Shalimar's eyes flared, and her hands flew out, grasping Lexa by her arm, shoving her back against the counter. "What's going on with you? Why are you doing this?"
Lexa bared her teeth, and Shalimar caught a glimpse of flashing white right before the lights flickered. Startled, both women looked up to the ceiling just as with an abrupt crack, power went out all over Sanctuary, leaving them in pitch black.
Darkness permeated her senses and dread filled Shalimar as a shadowy figure suddenly loomed over her and claw-like fingers seemed to reach for her. Pain throbbed in her temple, and she stumbled back in shock.
It was her dream all over again.
Only this time, she was wide awake.
Schnit. The knife slammed down again.