As the three headed back into Sanctuary they found Adam and Emma awaiting their return in the lab.
"Hey, guys," Adam greeted. "What do you got for me?"
"Six men and one boss. Could've been Mark but I couldn't get a clear view," Brennan informed. "We took some of them out but the others fled."
"All mutants?"
"Fire elementals and humans from what we saw."
"And what happened here?" Adam questioned at seeing Brennan flinching with his shoulder. He removed his leather coat and placed it on the back of the computer chair.
"A little fireball," he answered. "Nothing I can't handle."
Adam looked over the slight burns on his shoulder as well as his torn white muscle shirt. Shalimar leaned in and made a face to show how nasty his wound was but Brennan only smiled at how cute she looked.
"Well, we'll take care of it," Adam insisted. "Besides you aren't going back out today."
"I heard these guys talking about their deal going down tomorrow. It sounded pretty important. I overheard him saying something about the docks and a load of cash."
"Yeah, I've been doing some homework while you were gone and I think I might have some more information," Adam explained. "Jesse, I'll need you to do some hacking and see if we can get an exact location and time on this deal."
"Sure thing, Adam," Jesse agreed and headed to the computer to get straight to work.
"Shal, are you ok?" Emma asked her friend as she stood beside her and took her hand.
"Yeah, how are you, sweetie?"
"I'm doing a little better."
Shalimar smiled at the pleasant news and stroked the psionics hair, letting her hand fall to stroke her back.
"There's nothing more you can do today," Adam said. "Jesse and I will keep digging for leads. Why don't you all rest until tomorrow?"
"Sounds like a plan to me," Shalimar agreed and smiled at Emma beside her who seemed to blush at her gesture.
"This Mark guy had quite a few bodyguards with him too, Adam," Brennan added.
"I imagine he would. He'll probably be expecting an attack today that's why you're all staying here. We'll work on putting a game plan together for tomorrow and I'd really like your input, Brennan."
"Nice work, guys," Emma complimented. "I'm gonna go lie down."
Shalimar noticed the "come hither" look the psionic flashed her before leaving and she smiled as she began to leave the lab as well.
"Shalimar," Adam called.
Shalimar turned to face him as he approached to stand in front of her.
"Can I talk with you for a minute?"
"Sure, Adam, what is it?"
Adam stepped out into the hall and Shalimar followed.
"So how has everything been going?" he asked.
"Um, fine," she responded with a smile.
"I mean with Brennan. Did you two do ok today?"
"Oh, yeah fine."
"So you don't think there's any problems in the team I should look into?"
"We all did fine today," she assured. She knew she wasn't being totally honest but decided any problems or complications would probably be better addressed by her without dragging Adam or the rest of the team into it. She'd wanted to discuss it with him but realized it would probably be better if she approached Brennan in private first.
"Well, good. I'm glad to hear it."
"Why do you ask?"
"Just after earlier I thought there might be some tension. Also, those tests I did this morning…" Adam paused as he searched Shalimar's face for her response. It constantly annoyed her how he always seemed to pause for dramatic effect at just the wrong time. "I have a theory I think you should hear about."
"Well what is it?"
"I want to check the results again before I'm positive but I'll come discuss it with you soon"
"Alright."
"So are you ok?"
He reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders and starred deeply into her eyes. "Is there anything I can get you?"
"No, I'm fine. Thanks."
"Well, if you need anything just ask me."
"I will."
It always made Shalimar feel special when Adam showed affection and concern for her. She appreciated how he always looked out for her.
Adam smiled and leaned in to hug her tightly. He kissed her cheek as he backed up and headed back into the lab to continue with his work.
Shalimar began to walk down the hall but Brennan's voice suddenly made her stop in her tracks.
"Hey, Shal, wait up!"
Brennan quickly rushed to catch up to the feral who was already halfway down the hallway.
"Where ya goin'?" he asked with a light smile.
"Emma said she wanted to talk."
"Well, what if I said I wanted to talk?"
"You'll hafta take a number."
Shalimar turned to head back down the hall but Brennan grabbed her arm preventing her from leaving. She looked down to his hand gripping her elbow and turned her eyes up to his.
"When are we gonna stop this charade, Shal?"
"What?"
Shalimar had been so offset by his somewhat exaggerated boldness and bluntness all day she was beginning to become less shocked at his actions.
"Why are you fighting it?"
"Fighting what?"
"Us."
"There is no us, Brennan," she reminded him.
"But there could be. You want there to be."
"And what makes you so sure of that?"
"Are you trying to deny you're attracted to me?"
"No."
"So you are attracted to me?" he arrogantly accused although he already knew the answer.
Shalimar sighed before responding, "Yes."
He grinned down at her upon hearing her sweet admission. He let the hand that gripped her elbow trail up her arm and across her collarbone. He stepped closer as the balls of his fingers trailed up her soft neck. He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck to pull her closer to him and smiled when he realized she was leaning herself in as well. His lips pressed to hers, loving the sweet taste of her on his own. He kissed her long and hard and she nipped his lips back softly, almost teasingly.
Shalimar took a few steps back and hoped she'd have the strength to pull her mouth from his but he stepped forward, not letting her out of his reach. She felt her back press against the wall behind her and Brennan's hard body pressed against her chest, trapping her between the two. She felt his hand roaming freely up her thigh, skimming across her stomach and under her shirt to cup her breast in his warm hand.
Shalimar suddenly realized she'd been so caught up in kissing him that she hadn't taken a decent breath is so long. She managed to pull her mouth free and rest her head on his shoulder as he pressed his body harder against hers, rubbing his knee between her legs. She pulled his body even closer to her own and smiled as he kissed his way across her collarbone and neck.
Upon opening her eyes Shalimar was surprised to see Emma heading in the opposite direction down the hall. She knew the psionic had seen her and Brennan and it bothered her, stopping her from enjoying Brennan's kisses and touches.
"Wait," she softly protested. She had to admit to herself she really didn't want him to stop. "Brennan," she said louder and removed her head from his shoulder. "Brennan, stop." she brought her face to his and saw he intended to kiss her again. She tried to pull back but the wall behind her head prevented her from doing so and his lips were once again gracing her own.
"Brennan," she mumbled his name against his lips. "Brennan!" She yanked her head to the side so she'd be able to speak. She saw his head moving towards hers again and she placed her hands on his chest to push him back.
"What's the problem?" he asked suspiciously.
"Stop," she flatly ordered him.
"Why?"
"'Cause I said so."
She gently eased him another step back and began to adjust her top his hungry hands had displaced. Brennan's hand was working its way up her sides once more as he grinned devilishly at her. She sighed in frustration and took his hand from her body.
"I need to go," she said and stepped forwards only to have Brennan's hands on her shoulders stopping her.
"Wait a minute," he demanded. "I'm sick of you running out on me like this. We need to talk."
"I don't think talking is what's on your mind right now."
"Shal, I-"
"Brennan, when I'm ready to talk I'll tell you."
"That's not good enough," he snickered.
"Well, it's just gonna have to do," she said and removed his hands from her shoulders. "I have to go."
"What, Emma again? She can wait, Shal."
"Yeah, so can you," she snapped and pushed her way past him, now annoyed by his words as she huffed down the hall.
"Shal," he called after her. "Shalimar, get back here and finish the argument! Shalimar! Shal!"
But it was no use as she was already out of sight. Brennan lowered his gaze to the floor and kicked the wall out of frustration and turned to head for the dojo.
