Cat and Mouse

Chapter 1

Decisions

Next morning, Emma awoke confused at her surroundings.  She felt someone breathing behind her very close.  She opened her eyes to find herself lying on the couch with someone holding her lightly.  That someone was Shalimar!  Shalimar!   Then Emma remembered last night by the pool.  Oh, Myra!  She bit her lip to keep from crying all over again.

Shalimar stirred and woke.  "Good morning, Emma!"

"Morning."

"Are you better this morning?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"What was your friend's name?"

"Myra Hunter.  She had won a few solo competitions before she picked me to be her dance partner.  That last day we were practicing for a big competition."  Emma sadly recollected.

They heard the guys bustling around.  Shalimar got up from the couch and stretched. "Better get dressed before the guys find us here."  She went to her room.  Emma tiptoed to her room. 

Shalimar walked up behind Jesse, who was sitting at the computer.  "Jesse, can you look something up for me?"

"Sure Shal.  What?"

"Look up an obituary for a Myra Hunter, from about 7 years ago."

"Obituary?"

"Don't ask."  Shal growled.

A few minutes later, Jesse turned the screen to where Shal could look at it.  Shal scanned down and found the name of the cemetery.  "Good, it's not too far from here."

"What's not too far?"  Emma walked in.

"Nothing.  Emma, let's go for a ride today.  Ok?"  Shalimar asked her.

"Ok."

Jesse looked from one to the other.  Shal rewarded him with a conspiratorial wink.  Emma started to head back to her room.  "Motorcycle or car?"  She asked Shal.

"Motorcycle!"

"I'll get my gear, " Emma replied as she ran out of the room.

"What was that about?"  Jesse asked.

"Emma used to dance with this girl years ago.  She didn't get to go to the funeral.  I'm taking her there to pay our respects."  Shalimar walked down to the garage. 

She activated her link with Adam, "Adam?  Do you have anything for Emma and me today?  I'm taking her out on the motorcycle for part of the day."

"No, I don't Shalimar.  Have fun," Adam replied.

It was a nice day for once.  Shalimar pushed the motorcycle faster, enjoying the breeze in her face and the hands that tightened harder around her waist.  She grinned in anticipation of Emma's response to the actual destination.  Earlier, while she watched Emma sleeping, she had come to the conclusion that Emma needed to go to the gravesite of her old friend to say "goodbye" and get closure on the whole situation.  Little did either one know what was in store for them today!

Jesse looked up the name Shalimar gave him earlier, Myra Hunter.  Something was not quite right about it.  There was a lot of publicity about her dance career and her studies at Miss Patsy's School of Dance, but nothing about her family or her life before dancing.  Nothing about her life while dancing really.  There was a little article about a new dance partner who was scheduled to dance with Myra until the accident, but no names given.  He remembered Emma saying something about taking dance lessons for a while at Miss Patsy's.  He wondered if Emma was the unnamed dance partner.  That would explain her reluctance to dance sometimes at the clubs when they all went out.  Emma was a really good dancer when they did get her on the floor, but it usually took a lot of persuasion and a lot of alcohol to get her to relax. 

Jesse studies the newspapers after the accident.  He found one about a Mariya Hunt-Heinz dated about six months after that date that recently returned from Switzerland after another operation for a back injury.  The picture of the girl was startlingly close to Myra's except for the hair color.  I wonder if they were sisters or cousins  Jesse thought to himself.  He set the computer up for a search on Mariya Hunt-Heinz and Myra Hunter to look for similarities. Only one thing came back.  Birth date.  Mariya also appeared on the New Mutant Database as a telepath with some telekinetic abilities.  Nothing on Myra though.

Jesse headed to the med lab to ask Adam if he remembered anything about Mariya Hunt-Heinz. 

"Mariya?  I can't remember anything significant about her, other than her family had a lot of money.  She liked to be called Myra at times."

"Money?"

"Her great-grandparents on both sides were the Hunt and Heinz – the ketchup kingdoms. Mariya is the last of the family."

"Did she like to dance?"

"Her grandfather forbade it, but yes, she did like to dance. Why all the questions?"

"Shal had me look up a Myra Hunter's obituary this morning.  Then she ran off with Emma.  I was a little suspicious so I ran a search.  I thought the names were similar enough and the birth dates match.  Shal said Emma was partnered with Myra Hunter before the accident."   Jesse explained.

"Hmm.  That explains something about Emma…." Adam trailed off.  "Let me know if the girls contact us or when they get back."

"Will do, Adam."

Emma stiffened slightly when Shal turned into the cemetery road.  "Shal? Why'd you bring me here?" she asked.

Shal stopped the motorcycle at the visitor booth before answering.  "I wanted to help you with Myra, so I brought you here."

"No!"   Emma went cold.

"Emma, honey.  You said you didn't get to go to the funeral, so I figured that going to the grave and saying goodbye might help with the nightmares."  Shal hugged Emma closely.  "Wait here a minute."  She headed into the visitor kiosk.

A few seconds later, she beckoned for Emma to come inside.  "They want us to sign the guest register.  They have everybody sign it."  Shal explained.

Emma reluctantly signed the guest registrar, putting Myra's name in the "Grave visited" column. 

Shal dragged her back to the motorcycle.  "He told me where her grave is located."

Emma quietly let Shal lead her to Myra's gravesite.  She sank down and just stared at the gravestone.   Shalimar rubbed her back for a few seconds.  "I'll be over here if you want me."  She headed to the nearby tree to wait in the shade, knowing Emma was going through a lot of emotions just now. 

Emma just nodded.  Myra.  I'm sorry I haven't visited you here.  I've missed you terribly.   She brushed the few tears trickling down her face.  I couldn't go to the funeral.  I was too raw.  It was too quick.   Emma sat down and hid her face against the tombstone. I've some new friends that would have enjoyed your dancing.  I wish you could meet them.   She kissed it after a few minutes.  She suddenly realized that Shal had left her alone and looked wildly around for her.  She relaxed when she saw Shal leaning against a tree nearby.  

"Shal?"  Her voice wobbly. 

Shal ran over when she heard Emma cry out and hugged her tentatively.  "Are you ok now?  We can always come back again." 

Emma hugged her back tightly.  "I wish you could have known her.  You would have liked her, I think."

"Knowing how much you cared for her, and what I know about your choices of friends, I think I would have too."

A few minutes passed in silence. "Are you ready to go?  I've got sandwiches in the cooler." Shalimar asked.

"Yeah, I'm ready.  And, uhm, thanks, Shal."  Emma said quietly.

"No problem, honey."

They got back on the motorcycle and slowly headed back by the kiosk and the exit to the cemetery.  The attendant waved to get their attention as they were leaving.  "I was just faxed this for you two girls."  He handed it to Emma.

Emma looked down.  It was a letter on fancy stationary from a Mariya Hunt-Heinz.  "Emma De Lauro, I have some news about Myra Hunter for you. Please call this number and I'll send a car for you, your friend and your motorcycle.  I will have refreshments for both of you.  Please come soon.   Mariya Hunt-Heinz."  At the bottom of the letter was a hand-written symbol that Emma recognized instantly.  A "MH" in the style Myra had always used on her private notes to Emma.  Emma dropped the paper and gasped.  Shal grabbed the paper and read it.  "What's wrong, Emma?"

Emma pointed at the "MH", "That's how Myra signed her notes to me."

"Oh, Emma!"

"I think I need to go to see this Mariya." 

"Emma, I'm going with you.  Go in and call for the car, while I let the guys know what's up."  Shalimar pushed Emma into the kiosk.

Shal activated her comlink, "Jesse, guys?"

"What is it Shalimar?"  Jesse answered.

"We're done here at the cemetery, but Emma and I have been invited to visit a Mariya Hunt-Heinz."

"Mariya?  Shal, she's a mutant. Adams says she's part of the family of both the Hunt and Heinz ketchup families."

"Really?  She sent a fax here, saying she had some news about Myra Hunter for Emma.  She wanted both of us to go.  Emma's is calling a number because she is sending a car for us."

"Go.  I'll let Adam know. Keep the links open if you can."  Jesse broke the link off.

"Adam, the girls just called in."

"What's up?"

"It seems Mariya Hunt-Heinz knows about Myra Hunter and wants Emma and Shalimar to visit her. She's sending a car to the cemetery for them.  I told Shal to keep the links open."

"Good, Jesse.  Keep me posted."  Adam signed off.

The car showed up about 20 minutes later.  Actually it was a 4-wheeled drive limousine.  The driver carefully stowed the motorcycle in the back and opened the 2nd door for the two girls.  "There is a wet-bar behind the curtain."  He said before getting into the driver's seat and purposefully closing the privacy curtain between the seats.  The girls sat down and looked around.  Shal explored the wet-bar.  "Want a drink.  There is big supply of vodka, wine, tequila, bourbon in this wet-bar."

"Vodka, please."  Emma wasn't sure she was up for this, but the vodka might give her some courage.

"Strange choice of liquors.  A lot of domestics, but the Black current wine looks out of place."

"Black current?"  Emma faltered.  "That was Myra's favorite.  Oh, Shal, what if Myra's still alive, and the funeral a farce."

"Shhhh, let's see what the ketchup queen Mariya has to say.  It could be just a coincidence."

"Ketchup queen?"  Emma giggled.

"Well Hunt and Heinz are the leading ketchup businesses and Mariya has both the last names.  Jesse says she's the CEO or something currently of both."

"Give me a shot of the black current, Shal.  Myra would let me have a small shot now and then."

Shal poured a small one for Emma.  Emma threw it down her throat with a grimace.  "Yep, same taste that I remembered.  It hasn't improved." 

A few minutes later the limousine paused at a gated driveway while it opened and then wound its way up the driveway to a large house nestled against the hillside.  Shal looked out at it, "It looks like the Rose Red mansion from the Stephen King movie."

"Yeah it does."

The driver opened their door after stopping the car.  "Miss, I'll put your motorcycle in the garage while you are here.  You're safe here."  He helped them down and waved at the door of the mansion ahead of them.  "Clara will show you to Ms. Hunt-Heinz's room."

Shal and Emma looked at each other and shrugged simultaneously.  Shal whispered into the ring, "We're here." Then she whistled softly.

A woman came up to the door.  "I am Clara.  Miss Fox, Miss De Lauro, right this way."  They followed her through many hallways and onto an elevator.  There were many signs of handicapped handgrips but they were blended into the décor.  At a final door, Clara stopped and knocked.  A voice said, "Send them in Clara, and bring the luncheon tray.  Don't forget the egg salad and lemonade." 

Emma stopped short.  Myra had always made egg salad and lemonade for her.  Her throat felt tight.  Shalimar stopped when she felt Emma's reluctance.  Clara was patiently waiting for them to enter the room.  Shal tugged Emma's hand and pulled her along.

"Emma."  The voice from the direction of the bed called.  "Please come over here," the woman almost was begging.

Emma's eyes widened. "Myra?" she whispered, not trusting her eyes and ears. 

"Yes, Emma.  It's your 'Myra'.  Bring your friend over her and introduce us.  We've got a lot to talk about and not much time."  The woman 'Myra' or 'Mariya' beamed from the bed, surrounded by some medical instruments.

Emma ran over to the bed, and grabbed the woman's hand. "Myra, I thought you were dead.  I'm s-s-s-s-o-o s-s-s-s-s-s-o---r-r-r-ry that I left you there. "  She buried her head and cried loudly.  Shal quickly crossed the room.

Shal asked, "What is going on here?  Are you Myra Hunter or are you Mariya Hunt-Heinz?"

"Shalimar, I'm both.  Or at least I was Myra Hunter when I wanted to be a dancer."  The woman looked up at Shalimar from behind Emma's head, and recognized the relationship between Emma and Shalimar.  "I've been searching for Emma for about 2 years now.  Now, Emma, I'm sorry too that I didn't keep in touch, or told you my real secret.  Everything happened so fast that day.  Sit down you two and I'll explain.  Emma?"  Mariya hugged her favorite lover tight.

Clara knocked at the door quietly.  "Bring the tray and leave us please.  I'll let you know if we need anything else."  She waits until Clara leaves before continuing.

"Emma, I know you loved egg salad.  Eat some.  I wasn't sure what you like, Shalimar, but there is a variety on the tray.  Dig in."

Shalimar looks the tray over.  "There's enough to feed a small army and then some." 

"I don't get much company here," Mariya/Myra sadly said.  "Emma, sit up.  I'm not going to let you go, at least not just yet."  She nudged Emma into sitting up.

Emma's emotions had been going all over the place.  "What happened?"  Shalimar hands her an egg salad sandwich and she absently eats it while trying to control her tears.

"Well, I was in the hospital for a few days before my grandfather found me.  He never approved of my dancing, but he couldn't stop me once I turned 18.  He was the one who arranged for the announcement of the death of Myra Hunter.  He sent me to Switzerland to see the best doctors to get my broken back healed.  I was there for 6 months.  By then, you had left the studio and nobody knew where you were.  I tracked you down when you were at JC Penney's, but you were gone the next time I checked.  I left word at the cemetery for them to contact me if you ever showed up."

"Today when Pierre said you had checked in, my heart jumped.  My staff went crazy because they alone know how important you were to me.  I always keep a bowl of egg salad ready, just in case you ever found me again."  Mariya sucked up some lemonade through a straw.

"Emma, do you remember when you started at Miss Patsy's?  Do you remember the 'scholarship'?"  She asked.

"Yes.  My parents couldn't afford it, and then Miss Patsy said I had been awarded a scholarship that would continue as long as I was at the studio."  Emma wiped her eyes. 

"Don't be mad at me for this.  I saw you dancing and I knew you were destined to be my partner later on.  I also knew if I didn't find a way to keep you in the studio, that wouldn't happen.  I've been in control of my own money since I was 10 years old, so I set up a trust fund to fund all your group and private lessons.  I also took out a life insurance policy that named you as my primary beneficiary.  They are still out there.  My grandfather was mad at me, but he couldn't control that part of my money.  He died about 4 years ago, and all of his money came to me."

"How did you know?"

"A little pre-cognition that came along with my mutant abilities."  Mariya said simply.  She looked at Shalimar. "I know you're a feral too.  Have you been keeping my Emma safe too?"

Shalimar was surprised, "Yes.  She came to live with a few friends and me just over a year ago.  All of us are protective of her."

"Shalimar, you don't have to worry about me stealing Emma back from you, but I do need her for a few days or weeks."

"Why?"

"I'm dying.  I want Emma to stay with me until I go.  You are free to stay or go as you wish.  There's plenty of room."

"Why?"

"Emma is still the designated beneficiary of all my estate.  There is a lot of paperwork to be signed over so it doesn't get snaffled in red tape."  Mariya hugged Emma again who looked incredulously at her friend.

"I just want to die happy and at peace.  Emma gave that to me the whole time we were together.  Can you blame me?"

"Oh Myra!"  Emma blushed.  But she was confused by Shalimar's defensive stance.  Wait, Shalimar.  It's true.  Myra is dying.  I know it.  Please!   Emma begged with her eyes and posture, willing Shalimar to stand down.

Shal, I'm begging you too.  Please! Shal flashed her eyes when Mariya contacted her telepathically.  Mutant X is safe.  Adam Kane treated me years ago too

Shal smiled at the rush of emotions she got from the two women.  She'd never seen Emma so happy, so it must be a real emotion from her.  Mariya she was wasn't so sure of.

"Let me let the guys know what's up, ok, honey?"  Shal said.  "Where's the phone?"  She didn't want to use the com-link in front of Mariya.

"The phone is over there, and there is another one in the hallway."

Shal chose the one in the hallway.  "Guys, this is Shalimar.  You wouldn't believe what just happened here."

"What's up Shal?"  Adam sounded concerned when he heard Shalimar's voice.

"Myra Hunter and Mariya Hunt-Heinz are one and the same.  She's dying, though and wants Emma to spend her last days with her.  She's rolling in money. She also wants to give it all to Emma."

"What?!!" Adam was a little bit increduolous.  "How's Emma?"

"She's happy and sad all at once.  She thinks Myra is genuine too."

"Are you going to stay there too?"

"I'm invited to come and go as I please.  She just wants her last days to be happy and peaceful."

"Well, then stay if you are comfortable with it.  You know where to contact us if there is any problems.  Say hi to Mariya for me.  If she wants, I could come check on her too."  Adam sounded relieved.

"I'll pass the word on, Adam.  Thanks." Shalimar hung up the receiver.  She was a little jealous of Mariya's hold on Emma, but who wouldn't be.  She walked back into the room.

"Mariya, Adam says hi.  If you want, he said he'll come check on you too."  Shal tried to make her voice sound light.

"Maybe tomorrow.  Today is just for us."  Mariya said drowsily.  She had moved over on the bed and Emma was laying on top of the covers next to her.  "There's plenty of room up here, Shal.  I won't bite!"  Her eyes twinkled.

"I might, but only if Emma says it's ok."  She jumped up on the edge near Emma.  "So how long did you dance?"

They spent the rest of the afternoon catching Shal up on all the dance events and lessons and practices.  She kept getting glimpses of the devotion between Emma and Mariya in Emma's emotions and Mariya's telepathic transmissions.  Some of it was personal and they would all blush at the descriptions….

TBC