A/N: I don't know if I should go on with my story… Only the fab four told me it was worth it. Shalgal, Tigressong, Rain and Brigitta, I am soooo happy that you liked the story and actually missed me a little, LOL! Keep on reading, Guys.

Chapter21: Waking up with hope

He had slept for hours. Waking up was difficult, and he felt weak and drowsy, his body seem to need more time to respond to him since his mind was becoming impatient struggling to wake. Nobody was there when he opened his eyes.

Adam wasn't in the lab and for a moment he thought about calling him over his com-link but he'd cast the thought aside. Jesse doubted that Adam would tell him the truth.

Tired, he pulled his hand close to his mouth. Speaking just above a whisper not loud enough to open the Link, he cleared his throat before he was able to speak.

"Shal? Can you hear me Shal?"

His luck not any better then Adam's; Jesse got no answer.

'Ok', he thought, 'Let's try the alternative'

Sitting up was a difficult thing to do, every muscle in his body ached and his head started spinning. Desperately, he kept his eyes open while he took one deep breath after the other. The dizziness fading after a while, so he tried his luck and dared to stand up.

His knees felt like rubber but his sheer will held him upright. The first few steps were ok but when he reached the door he was actually ready to sit down again.

'No. I have to find her!'

Using his hands and the wall as support, he stumbled more then he walked through the hall. He was almost there. He could already see the door to Shalimar's room.

For a second he closed his eyes to regain his strength but it wasn't enough; Jesse lost his balance and fell down, landing hard on the floor,  bringing Brennan out from the kitchen.

Somehow, Jesse managed to climb to his feet again before his partner appeared beside him. His body was covered in sweat from the effort it cost him. Breathing heavily, he leaned back against the wall, Brennan's hands holding him in a strong grip so he wouldn't fall again.

"What the hell are you doing here? You need to go back and lay down."

Jesse freed himself from Brennan's grip, surprising him with the strength with which he had done it pushing him back.

"No!"

He staggered on, leaving the last few yards slowly behind.

"Jesse, don't…"

Brennan's voice sounded worried and sad while he took hold of Jesse's shoulder. He managed to keep him from falling when he lost his balance again.

Jesse couldn't speak anymore. He needed all of his breath to keep on going. Trembling from the exertion as his hand reached for the doorknob. Slowly, he turned the knob, hearing Brennan's voice again.

"Jesse, please."

The door opened peering into the dark room.

"Shalimar?"

His voice was barely a whisper, sounding tired and breathless. He switched the light on, squinting from the sudden brightness.

He swayed and would have fallen if it wasn't for Brennan.

The room was empty. Emma had cleaned the rest of her clothes from the floor away and it looked deserted and almost sterile.

Jesse turned, looking at his friend as he tried to fight back the fear welling up in his gut, fearing the response he would get from his friend.

"She's gone Jesse!"

That being said and Jesse's reserves all used up he blacked out, leaving Brennan to break his fall.

Tbc