Mixed Messages
The Medical Lab…"Shalimar, good morning, just the person I wanted to see," Adam turned as Shalimar walked into the lab.
"Morning Adam," Shalimar smiled as she came in.
"Shal, I wanted to talk to you about Willow's birthday," Adam looked at her seeing her mind was elsewhere, "It's coming up in a few days."
"Really, I didn't know that," Shalimar realized, she was still thinking about Willow's odd behavior in the kitchen earlier.
"Well I don't think she knew that either. She spent her entire life with the GSA, it's unlikely that Eckhart threw birthday parties," Adam joked. "I was just thinking if you could help me with doing something special for her."
Shalimar chuckled, "I'd love to. Besides, looks like she could use some cheering up."
Adam looked at her, "Oh really, what makes you say that?"
"Well, she seemed kind of down this morning. I mean I don't think canceling our movie date tonight helped any," Shalimar looked at Adam, with guilt written all over her face.
"Why did you do that?" Adam asked.
Shalimar began to glow, "Well…I made a date tonight."
Adam had a smile on his face, "Really? You have a date? With who?"
Shalimar hesitated for a moment, but what's the harm right? "Well with Brennen."
Adam smiled a little. "Brennen. Well I'll be damned. I can't honestly say that I'm surprised though. I noticed that there's been something there."
"Were we that obvious?" Shalimar asked.
Adam nodded.
"Well, anyways what did you have in mind for Willie?" Shalimar asked determined to make it up to Willow.
The Dojo (about 30 minutes later)…Feigning to the right, she dodged a killer blow. Spinning around, doing a kick she knocked the subject flat on his back. The hologram faded out of existence. Her senses heightened as she felt the presence of someone approaching. Turning around swiftly, she sent her fist flying in the direction of the approaching subject.
"Whoa, nice move," Shalimar said, blocking the shot with her arm. "As much as I hate to say it, I have to hand it to the GSA, they trained you well."
Willow seized her attack and backed away. "It's all I lived for there."
"What exactly were they training you for?" Shalimar asked curiously.
Willow just shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows, probably to be an assassin or something along those lines."
"Well whatever it was, time to test your skills against me," Shalimar winked at Willow.
Willow's body tensed up as the two of them faced each other.
15 Minutes Later…Brennen was in a daze all morning. The thought that the woman he loved was now his, was music to his ears. He walked aimlessly through the halls of the Sanctuary for several minutes. He came upon the dojo where Shalimar and Willow were engaged in a very intense exercise. He stood at a distance admiring Shalimar.
He got lost in his own thoughts that he didn't see Shalimar approaching him.
"Hey, you awake?" Shalimar asked putting her arms around him.
"Yeah I was just thinking," Brennen smiled.
"Oh yeah? What about?" Shalimar ran her hands through Brennen's hair.
"Oh nothing. Just about how lucky I am," Brennen leaned in and kissed Shalimar.
Willow was watching from the dojo and rolled her eyes in disgust, "Get a room you guys."
Brennen and Shalimar looked up at Willow. Willow just smirked and shook her head as she lept down from the dojo walking away from the two of them.
"What was that all about?" Brennen continued to look in the direction that Willow went.
"She's been acting weird all morning. I think it's because I'm not going with her and Emma to the movies tonight," Shalimar shrugged.
"You know we can do this another night. I mean it's obvious that this was important to her," Brennen suggested.
"No it's cool. I explained it to her earlier. Don't worry. I think she understands," Shalimar reassured him.
"Okay. Remember it's you and me tonight," Brennen smiled.
"Oh yeah I almost forgot," Shalimar laughed. "Anyways, I got go have a shower."
"Yeah, make sure you do okay? Because you stink," Brennen teased.
Shalimar growled and smacked Brennen across the chest, as he continued to laugh. "Jerk!"
The Double Helix…"Hey Jess," Emma said as she approached Jesse working in the Helix.
"Hey Em," Jesse replied.
"How are the repairs going?" Emma asked.
"They're going slowly. Probably would've gone faster if I didn't have such a damn headache this morning," Jesse held his head as he looked at Emma.
"Aw poor baby. Maybe you should've laid off some of those beers," Emma winked. "Anyways, you got a minute?"
"Yeah, I suppose I could take a break," Jesse dropped his tools and sat down. "What's on you're mind?"
"Well you know about Brennen and Shalimar right?" Emma asked.
"Are you kidding? I caught a glimpse of them lip-locking as me and Sarah left the dance floor," Jesse laughed.
"Yeah, I guess it was coming one way or another right?" Emma smiled. "I wanted to talk about Willow."
"What about her?" Jesse was curious.
"I got some pretty negative vibes off her when I told her this morning. To make matters worse, Shalimar backed out of going to the movies tonight, so it's just us," Emma sighed.
"What so you think she's jealous?" Jesse surmised from Emma's observations.
"Well, I that's what I would guess. I mean she's gone through such a range of emotions over the past few weeks. Being possessive and overprotected is pretty common with siblings, especially ferals. I'm just worried that this could get worse before it gets better," Emma was genuinely concerned, knowing fully that whole feral territorial thing.
"Worried we might end up being peacemakers? They'll work it out I'm sure. I wouldn't worry about it too much," Jesse reassured her.
"Yeah, I hope your right. I just keep thinking about what happened with Nikki ya know?" Emma recalled the last incident when two ferals clashed in the Sanctuary.
Flashback…"Excuse me?" Shalimar stared at Nikki and Brennen as they both stood in Shalimar's room.
Nikki squirmed a little. "Shalimar!"
"What's going on here?" Shalimar entered the room not taking her eyes off Nikki.
"Nothing," Brennen interjected.
"Stay out of this Brennen," Shalimar glanced at him and glared at Nikki. "I think you've overstayed your welcome."
Nikki looked dumbfounded, "I'm sorry?"
"No I'm sorry! Time to get your things," Shalimar growled pushing Nikki towards the door, "Get the hell out of here." Shalimar didn't let up continuing to advance on Nikki. "You are wearing my clothes, in my room, trying to take over my life, NOW GET THE HELL OUT!"
Jesse, Emma and Adam came running around the corner, after hearing the commotion. Shalimar turned to them as Nikki continued to stare at Shalimar with fear.
Adam was furious and looked at her, "Shalimar, get a hold of yourself."
Present…Emma recalled the event as if it happened yesterday. Jesse approached her and put his hand on her shoulder. "Look, like I said I don't think it's gonna come to that."
"Yeah you're right, how bad could it get right?" Emma smiled.
"Listen, I'm just gonna finish up here and get cleaned up, maybe I'll join you guys," Jesse said as he grabbed his tools.
"Sure sounds great," Emma said as she left the Helix.
End of Chapter 2