Author's Note: Ok for those of you who watch "The L Word" let me just explain when these storylines cross over. As you read you'll see it's obviously during the time in between after Dana and Lara dated but before Dana and Alice did. So that's that.
"Hey, Shal," Jesse greeted as the feral walked past the living room. "Your mood lights are all ready for later," he informed. "I was just gonna ask you if you wanted to come with me to get the rest of your guests."
"Actually I was about to go take a shower. Can you handle it on your own?"
"Sure. Lara's still in the kitchen and Alice, Dana, and Shane were in there with her and Adam last I checked."
"Alright and thanks for the lights I appreciate it."
"No problem. See ya later, Shal," he exclaimed as he headed out of sight and towards the Helix.
Wanting to take her shower as soon as possible but eager to visit with her guests Shalimar headed for the kitchen the sounds of laughter music to her ears as she approached.
"Shalimar, hey," Lara's happy voice greeted as the feral joined the group. "We missed you. These are my friends I told you about Dana Fairbanks and Alice Pieszecki and that's Shane McCutcheon she's doing Emma's hair," Lara explained gesturing to each of the women appropriately.
"Nice to meet you," Shalimar said shaking each of the women's hands.
"Congratulations on getting married," Dana offered with a smile. "I didn't know what you guys liked so I just brought a chocolate cake and some wine," she said gesturing to the items on the counter beside her.
"Thanks," the feral replied with a smile. "How's it coming over there, Adam?" she asked looked at the man standing over the stove.
"Just fine, Shalimar, most of the food is done and the girls have been doing a great job of setting it out."
"Good. Just a little tip you guys would do well to stand back when he's on the stove," the feral joked making a face at Adam as she did so.
"Very funny," Adam said noticing the girls were giggling at the remark.
"Hey, what's so funny?" Emma asked walking into the kitchen.
"Adam cooking," the feral informed instantly walking over to her fiancé and wrapping two arms tightly around her.
"Is that Emma?" Shane asked leaning over to Lara.
"Yeah that's her."
"Hmm not bad," came her response as she made no effort to hide her grin while her eyes searched Emma's feminine body.
"Hey, down girl," Alice said gently slapping Shane's shoulder.
"All the good girls are taken."
"Hey, I resent that," Alice shot back.
"You're right I'm sorry. You're a fine girl, Alice," the dark haired woman reassured patting he on the back.
"Damn skippy." Alice nodded.
"Come on, hun, I think we better run for the hills while there's still time," the feral joked attempting to pull the psionic out the door.
"I'm sure it's not the hills you were going to drag me to. Besides, I'm not in any hurry." The psionic grinned further enjoying teasing the feral every chance she got.
"Adam's cooking and unless you wanna end up with cake all over you again you'll come with me."
"And I'll still remain clean?" she asked in disbelief leaning her head in to rest against Shalimar's and stare into her eyes.
"As clean as you can be," the feral hinted pushing her lips forward quickly hoping to steal a kiss only to find Emma had already pulled back.
"Shalimar, I might remind you a sarcastic mouth is a lonely mouth."
Emma grinned and stepped forward to greet the woman she saw before her.
"Hi, I'm Emma you must be Lara's friends," the psionic explained extending her hand to the blonde before her.
"Hi, I'm Alice nice to meet you."
Emma offered a warm smile and moved to the woman beside her.
"Dana. Thanks for inviting us."
"Well thank you for coming," Emma replied.
"Shane," the remaining woman greeted. "Nice to meet you."
"You too."
"Well I definitely gotta go take that shower so I guess I'll see ya later," Shalimar said reluctantly knowing Emma wasn't going to change her mind and go for some alone time before the vows.
"That's a good idea," Emma agreed. "You go get cooled off before the wedding."
"Well usually things don't cool off until after the wedding," the feral joked raising an eye.
"Believe me," Emma assured. "They won't."
Licking her lips as to show the feral a taste of what was to come she grinned as Shalimar turned and left the room.
"So, Shane," Emma said turning around. "I've been looking forward to you doing my hair."
"Well I'm ready to get started as soon as you are."
"Great. Let's go then."
Shane stood from the stool she'd been leaning on and followed the psionic eagerly out of the room.
"So um Dana and I will just take these plates out to the living room," Alice said nudging Dana's arm and picking up one of the plates on the counter.
"Ok," Lara said smiling up to Alice and then Dana from the counter she was working on.
Dana picked up the cake and followed the blonde woman out of the kitchen as they carried the food out to the living room and set them on one of the buffet tables.
"So," Alice said setting her plate down on the table and turning to lean against it.
Dana looked at the woman with a baffled, questioning look and Alice only smiled knowingly in return.
"Ok that's really annoying. What is it?" the brunette finally asked at Alice's remaining silence.
"How's it coming?"
"How's what coming?"
"You know!" the blonde explained almost jumping at the words. "Your plan of getting Lara back."
"What?" Dana asked shocked at the accusation. "I don't have any plan."
"Oh come on now, Dana. I see it in your eyes. You brought Lara's favorite wine to someone else's wedding you knew she was cooking for. Brought chocolate cake hoping for a little aphrodisiac mood to kick in."
Dana tilted her head and put on a serious face.
"You're not serious."
"Come on, Dana. It's obvious. You thought you'd show up, have a lil cake, rekindle the old flame…"
"Ok, Alice, you're being ridiculous."
"Whatever you say, hun."
"Hey," Jesse said as he walked past the girls. "Starting the party without me?"
Alice smiled at the sight of him and Dana shot her a knowing look.
"We wouldn't dream of it, sweetie," Alice informed. "I thought you left."
"No I forgot the address book. I'm heading out now though."
Alice smiled looking over the attractive man in the white tank top and played with her hair.
"Really? Well would you like some company?"
Jesse smiled at the question pretending to think about it.
"Yeah. That sounds good. Come on," the molecular agreed shooting her a cute smile and turning to leave.
Alice smiled as she walked past Dana, tilting her head towards her as she passed her.
"You got your plans I got mine," she informed following the blonde out of the room.
Sitting in front of the large mirror on her dresser Emma played with her hair and looked herself over.
"So did you have anything specific in mind?" Shane asked setting up the remainder of the tools on the desk.
"Whatever you recommend. I just wanna look stunning for my wedding."
Shane smiled and stepped behind the red head taking some of her hair between her fingers to feel it's remarkable softness.
"Well it won't take much," she complimented smiling at the psionic in the mirror. "I'll get to work."
Shalimar sighed as she stepped into her own bathroom. It'd been so long since she'd showered in her own room she hoped there'd still be some soap in there. Or better yet if there wasn't she could go back to her and Emma's room and ask for some as a thinly veiled excuse to talk. Opening the shower curtain she hoped there wasn't any only to have her eyes fall upon the disappointing sight of the two bottles in the corner and the bar on the edge.
Another sigh escaped her lips and she reached down to pull the top from her body letting it pool at her feet on the cold tile. Unbuttoning her jeans she slid them down her legs before bending over to turn the knobs on the shower wall.
Turning she caught a glance of herself in the mirror, now fully naked with the exception of her black undies just barely doing their job of covering her. Smiling at herself she looked her body over pleased with what she saw before pulling her underwear down to revel in her nudity.
A long sigh escaped the feral's lips as she stepped under the luke warm water letting the stress of the day pour off her toned body to wash down the drain at her feet. Shalimar lifted her head to allow the soothing water to pour onto her as she brought her hands up to brush the drops from her face, smiling underneath the comforting waterfall.
Shalimar let her hands move from her face to slide their way down her toned stomach, past her thighs, and down her legs enjoying the calming feel of the water gently beating down on her.
She smiled to herself as she remembered all the times she'd shared with Emma in that shower. The nights and mornings they'd escaped to the secluded serenity of the bathroom hoping to keep their relationship a secret. Jesse was the first to guess they were together what with his bedroom being the closest to the feral's. The two had woken him up so many nights and mornings he pretty much drew the conclusions himself. Brennan and Adam came around and the two women were more in love than any of them could have ever imagined, even the two of them.
Shalimar smiled as she enjoyed the thoughts of the psionic, wondering to herself why she was getting hotter at being under the water but all the while keeping her mind focused on the red head she was to be marrying later this very day.
"It's fabulous," Emma exclaimed looking at herself in the mirror. "I love it."
"I'm glad," Shane said smiling at the psionic in the mirror as well.
"Thank you."
"Anytime."
A soft knock at the door wasn't enough to turn Emma's gaze from herself in the mirror but Shane's eyes flickered towards the sound to see Lara smiling and standing in the now open doorway.
"Oh hey, if you guys are almost done we were wondering if you'd come out and help us set up the rest of the decorations," Lara explained all the while keeping her familiar smile on.
"Uh, yeah, I think we're about through here," Shane said looking back to Emma. "Emma?"
"Can you guys go ahead without me? I'd like to finish getting ready."
"Sure," Shane agreed smiling before making her way to Lara in the doorway.
"I'll be out in a sec," Lara told the hairdresser as she walked by. "Hey, can I come in?" the chef asked looking at the psionic still admiring herself in the mirror.
"Yeah. Come on in."
Lara took the invitation and stepped into the room pushing the door half closed as she did so and walking over to stand beside the sitting psionic.
"I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with Shalimar. I think you two deserve to be happy."
Emma smiled at the thoughtful words and turned to face the red head beside her.
"Thank you. So what's goin' on with you and Dana?" Emma asked with a knowing grin.
Blushing, Lara looked to the floor for a split second before answering.
"I don't know. What we had was history but I guess it never goes away does it? I guess we'll see what happens."
"Well I wanna wish you the best of luck too," Emma said standing to hug the woman.
"Thanks. By the way you really look beautiful."
"Thanks. I'll be out when I'm done getting ready," Emma promised.
Lara smiled and walked back over to the door to show herself out, closing it behind her. Walking back out into the living room she smiled at the sight of Shalimar entering at the same time with a towel wrapped around her hair as it was obvious she'd just come from the shower.
"Hey," Lara greeted stopping to stand beside the wet feral.
"Hey. Where's Emma?"
"She's in her room getting ready which by way is something you should be doing."
"I know I just…missed her."
"Well that is sweet but I'm sure she'd much rather have a ready fiancé than a tender moment right now."
Looking down at her jeans and black v-neck shirt Shalimar realized it was probably best if she were to actually get ready for her wedding instead of spending the whole day trying to convince her fiancé for a quickie.
"Yeah. I guess I should go get ready," Shalimar agreed.
"You do that. I'll make sure the food's ready you just worry about your pretty little self ok."
"Well, all the plates are out except for whatever Adam's cook-" Dana's voice was interrupted by Adam walking into the room still wearing his blue apron and carrying a large cake.
"Here it is," he informed setting the cake stand down in an empty space on the table.
Walking over to the table Shalimar ran her finger gently along the side of the cake to take a test taste.
"Shalimar, don't you trust me to cook?" he questioned at seeing her actions. Clapping his hands together, and spreading some of the flour on them around at doing so, he smiled and looked back and forth between each of the women.
"Well, I guess we managed to avert disaster today," he proudly stated.
A coughing Shalimar removed her finger from her mouth and wiped it on her towel.
"Well, almost," she said flashing him a telling grin.
"Oh come on," he protested.
"I need to go get ready," the feral informed turning to Lara. "I hope you can fix that."
Lara giggled and took a taste of the cake herself and mimicking the face the feral had made.
"You forgot an ingredient, Adam," she informed swallowing hard once more. "I'll take care of this and you take care of yourself," Lara told the feral.
Shalimar smiled as Lara gently pushed her in the direction of her room.
"Ok. Thanks," Shalimar said taking off in the direction of her bedroom in a hurry.
Sometime later Shalimar smiled at herself in the mirror. The small, black dress did more than suit her and flatter her womanly figure and she smiled with arrogance as she looked herself over.
She opened the little jewelry box atop her dresser and searched though the earrings until she came to the glamorous diamond pair she wanted. Smiling she lifted them from the wooden case and put them into her ears, turning her head to check their position and smiling in satisfaction.
Reaching back into the case she removed her favorite diamond necklace and held it in her hands for a moment while she looked into the mirror.
"Wow," a familiar male voice came from her side and she turned her head to see a smiling, tuxedo wearing Brennan in the doorway. "You look great."
"Thanks," she said with a smile and the knowledge that she did in fact look spectacular.
Brennan stepped into the room and walked over to stand behind the woman, the scent of her hair alone more than intoxicating.
"Here," he said reaching down to take the necklace from her hands. "Let me."
Shalimar smiled and closed her eyes as he pushed her curly, blonde hair from her neck and gently fastened the necklace onto her. He rested his hands on her shoulders upon completion of the task and she opened her eyes stunned herself at how breathtaking she was.
"Emma's one lucky girl," Brennan confirmed as he looked over the beautiful woman in the mirror.
"Thanks," she said reaching up to touch his hand.
"Hey, guys," Jesse's voice caught their attention from the doorway.
"Hey, Jess, I didn't know you were back," Brennan exclaimed at seeing the blonde in the doorway also looking handsome in a tuxedo.
"Yeah, Shal, you're guests are all here and we're ready to start the wedding whenever you are."
"Thanks, Jess, I'll be out there shortly."
Jesse smiled and tapped on the wall before leaving their sight.
"Well, not that I didn't come in here to see my favorite girl on her wedding day," Brennan began, "but there is one more thing I needed in here."
"Oh," Shalimar said in realization and turned to the dresser to remove a tie from the top drawer. As the elemental went to remove it from her hand she pulled back.
"Let me," she offered moving herself into position and beginning to tie it for him. "You remember the first time I did this for you?" she asked laughing to herself at the question.
"Yeah," he replied smiling at the memory. "It was for that banquet we all went to. I didn't even have a tie I had to borrow one of Adam's."
"Yeah I remember how shocked I was that a guy like you didn't know how to tie a tie," she joked.
"Yeah, yeah."
He smiled looking down at the nice and neatly tied tie he was now wearing and turned to mirror to confirm his appearance.
"You look great," the feral complimented.
"You too. You ready?" he asked sticking his arm out for her to take.
"You bet," she answered intertwining her arm with his as he escorted her out the door.