Note: What can I say? Just read it…
Chapter18: Shattered Dreams
She was scared. Scared to death by her thoughts.
She didn't know if she was right and all she had to do was go over to the lab and talk to him.
But it was the first time in Shalimar's life that she didn't have the guts to do the right thing. Such an easy thing.
She still sat on her bed, her folded hands shaking slightly in her lap. Her stomach was a tight knot and she felt like she was going to be sick. Tears ran silently down her cheeks, leaving silver trails on her face, the only sign of the emotions she was going through in the moment. A deep sobbing sigh escaped her chest.
She needed to decide what to do. She wiped a hand over her eyes, unconsciously straightening her at the same time. She could not stand the thought of being near him. Or going on with their lives as if nothing had happened between them. But had it really?
Was it just a figment of her imagination, a wish, or a dream?
Another deep intake of breath and she knew. She had made her decision and it would break her heart. It already had when the thought crossed her mind. But the Alternative was unthinkable…
~~~~~~
Brennan left the lab and was on his way to find Shalimar. She was probably in her room, hiding from everybody else.
He thought about the little talk he and Jesse had when they'd been in the bar before Ezra attacked him. Maybe she had the same feelings and those feelings were holding her back now. Maybe it was something else. But whatever it was, they could sort it out. Jesse would help her when he was physically in the state to tell her what he really felt.
Brennan walked past Emma's room. The door was slightly open and he heard soft, crying noises. He stopped abruptly and pushed the door wide-open, stepping inside.
Emma sat with her knees up to her chest on the floor in front of her bed. Her blanket was draped around her shoulders, her face shielded between her arms and the soft cover from her bed. A few steps brought Brennan to her side, falling on his knees. Pain rushed through his veins for a moment but he pushed it aside. Emma was more important than his aching body.
He pulled the blanket carefully away from her, almost causing her to jump in fright. She hadn't heard him through her gut wrenching sobs.
Warm palms wiped the tears from her eyes. The deep, brown stars that were Brennan eyes looked at her filled with concern.
"What happened?"
She leaned into him, his arms wrapping tightly around her as she did. Brennan whispered soothing words into her ears, saying everything that crossed his mind. She was captured deeply in her dream. She could hardly speak between her soft, little cries.
"I dreamt that Jesse died! It was so real. I know it was real. It was like one of my visions… I… oooh Jesse…!"
"No, no, don't worry Darling! He is fine. He woke up. He's fine…!"
Emma freed herself from his embrace. Huge, water filled eyes stared at Brennan in disbelief.
"You are lying!"
Her voice trembled badly. He shook his head.
"No, I swear. I wanted to find Shalimar. Jesse asked for her. He told me he is fine although he doesn't look it, not really at least! If you don't believe me, call Adam. He's with him and he can tell you, too!"
More tears streamed from her eyes but he could tell from her expression that she cried from relief. He smiled and ran his hands over her wet cheeks again, wiping the tears away. Brennan placed a soft kiss on each of her eyelids before he pulled Emma close again for a moment, stroking her hair.
However bad the last days had been, it brought them closer together.
"Come on, let's go and find Shalimar. Jesse's waiting for her!"
~~~~~~~~~
The door to Shalimar's room was closed. Brennan looked at Emma for a sec before he knocked on the wood. They got no answer.
"Shal, are you there? Can we come in?"
He knocked again and this time, the door swung open. Emma could see the surprised expression on Brennan's face before he pushed the door open and walked in. She heard him gasp in shock and followed him quickly.
The room was a mess!
The closets stood wide open, most the drawers were pulled out and clothes lay scattered all over the room. One of her bags stood empty in the middle of the room as if it were considered to be too small for the purpose at hand.
Emma looked around and found a lot of Shalimar's clothes and personal stuff gone. A bad feeling formed in her stomach and sent shivers all over her skin.
"Where is she?" As if Brennan would know!
He just shrugged his shoulders. He was just as confused as Emma was.
"Let's see, if we can find her!"
The two Mutants stormed out of the room, systematically going through every room, searching for their friend. With every room they found empty, their worries grew.
When they reached the garage, they saw that one of the cars was gone.
Brennan sounded very concerned when he said: "We have to tell Adam!"
Tbc
*The Alternative is unthinkable* is from the TV Show Highlander. Said by Methos, the 5000year old brat to Alexandra in 'Timeless' and I just love the phrase!