Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. Evie and the children are mine.
Note: Thank you all. I really love finding the reviews when I check in. Believe it or not this story still isn't done. I'm close but keep getting sidelined. I've read and reread this so many times that I sometimes feel like I know these people better than the ones I live with. Just kidding...but there are days I wish I could live in Sanctuary and visit the mansion. I'm off to try and continue. I'll try to post what I have a little faster.
indicates dreaming – all of the notations I've used in the past don't all seem to want to transfer on to fanfiction so I'm in the process of changing them. Please bear with me.
Imaginary Friend
Chapter 6
When everyone finally settled down from all the excitement of Bryan's anxious entrance into our world, it was late. The three doctors cleared all their patients. There were no lasting complications. Everyone seemed in wonderful health considering the last few hours. Bryan seemed not to miss the confines of the womb, now that the quaking was over. He comfortably rested in every set of arms which cradled him. Now everyone had turned in for much needed rest.
The next morning was no less joyful than the night before. As everyone gathered for breakfast, Nadene was introduced to the bundle carefully wrapped in his mother's arms. As she looked at the sleeping child, Nadene reached a hand toward his face. Before anyone had the chance to stop her, her fingertips were on his cheek. Kitty just smiled when she saw the featherlike touch the child seemed to know to use.
"I will be returning to the mansion after one last check up," Hank announced after he had finished his breakfast. "I believe the others will be anxious to visit and welcome little Bryan."
"We have to get this place ready for visitors," Evie thought aloud as she wiped Nadene's hands and face.
"Brennan and I will go to the market," Shalimar added. "We'll need to plan a few larger than normal meals."
"Can I tag along?" asked Bobby. "Jubes won't be leaving yet, so I may as well make myself useful."
Clean up was easy with the extra hands and the three were dressed and heading out of the garage in no time flat.
Once in the grocery store they easily filled one cart and still had a few aisles left to cruise. "I'll go get another cart," Bobby offered. "Be back in a flash."
Shalimar was asking about the coffee supply when…
"Um, Shalimar?" a low unsteady voice called.
Shalimar turned and saw a young woman about her age. Long straight auburn locks of hair and dark eyes met her as she smiled. "Yes?"
The girl just looked at her…waiting.
"I'm sorry," Shalimar turned a quick glance to her husband then back to the young woman. "Can I help you in some way?"
Still the girl just looked at her,… looked right into her eyes.
Bobby chose that moment to return. Coming up behind the stranger he announced cheerily, "I got one."
The unexpected voice, right beside her, startled the woman as she jumped a bit and turned.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Bobby now had the chance to see her. Recognition struck as he furrowed a brow to make the connection. "This is going to sound corny but, haven't I seen you somewhere before?"
"That was worse than corny," Brennan laughed.
The woman looked into Bobby's eyes for a long moment then quickly and nervously looked down. "I'm sorry, I had better go…I'm sorry." She sidestepped Bobby then walked quickly down the aisle.
"Wait," called Shalimar but the woman was gone.
"I didn't mean to scare off your friend," Bobby said.
"Not…my friend," Shalimar stated slowly. Who was she?
She had a familiar feeling but couldn't place it.
"Shal?" Brennan touched her arm.
Snapping out of her distant thoughts, Shalimar smiled then turned to Bobby and punched his arm. "Jubes would have fried you where you stood if she'd been here."
"No, guys. It wasn't a pick up. I really do think I've seen her somewhere recently." Bobby turned and looked off in the direction the woman had gone.
"Yeah, right. Let's finish and get back before we run into anyone else who you've seen before," Brennan jibed.
For the rest of the trip and most of the day Shalimar couldn't shake the feeling that she should have been the one to recognize that girl instead of Bobby, but she just couldn't place her.
Bobby spent quite a bit of unoccupied time thinking about her, too. He knew he had seen her recently. This is crazy. If Jubes knew I was spending this much time with another girl on my mind she'd fry me for sure. Still, it's driving me crazy. I know I've seen her but…where? I have to figure it out just to prove to Brennan I wasn't using a line… It really did sound corny. He chuckled to himself.
Evening came. Hank and the Logans were gone. The professor, the Summers family and the newlyweds were due to arrive midday tomorrow. For now everything was quiet. "WAAAA"… Well…as quiet as it could be with a one year old and a newborn in the house.
As morning approached, Shalimar began to stir in her sleep. She turned around and looked down a long, white hall. It was quiet and seemed deserted. This is strange. Shouldn't someone be here? Then she heard a noise. What was it? Crying? Someone's crying. Down here. Shalimar carefully walked down the hall. The crying became louder as she moved toward the door at the far end. Listening carefully, Shalimar put her ear to the door. Slowly she grasped the handle and turned. Silently she opened it. Across the sparsely furnished room was a little girl crying on a bed. Shalimar began walking toward the child when...
"Come on, Shal." Brennan shook her lightly. "Wake up, sleepy head."
Groggy and growling, Shalimar rolled over and pulled the covers over her head.
Brennan leaned over with one knee on the bed for balance and pulled on the covers. "Shal, Evie called you before I got in the shower and you're still not awake."
Giving up she released her iron grip on the sheet and slowly opened her eyes. "She called me? Did I answer her?"
Brennan laughed as he reached for his pants and threw his towel at Shalimar. "Yes, you answered her. You told her that you'd be there in a minute. I thought you were awake."
"I do sort of remember that," she said as she got up. "Then I had a dream…I think…"
"Shalimar?" Evie's voice sounded over their com rings.
"Yeah, Evie… I'm sorry. I'll be right there." Shalimar apologized then threw the wet towel back at her chuckling husband.
The day was pleasant enough. The second wave of visitors arrived to meet Bryan. Everyone was astonished at the tale of his dramatic entrance into the world. Thomas and Nadene played happily. They seemed most content together.
Evening was quickly approaching. The families worked their now usual bedtime routines for the children. The professor and Adam talked business. Kitty was about to put Bryan down for a nap. She knew better than to think it was for all night.
"Let's you and Remy find a nice club," Remy moved to Marie's side. "Be a while befor' we have petites to worry 'bout bedtime."
That sounds like a great idea," Shalimar smiled. I could use a little time out." She turned an expectant look toward her husband.
"Why not?" Brennan stood from his seat. "I'll drive."
"How 'bout it Jubes? Wanna dance?" Bobby turned a charming smile to his girl.
"Oh, actually I was going to help Kitty with Bryan and then we were going to talk for a while." She turned her attention back to the baby in her arms and missed the disappointment cross Bobby's face.
Kitty didn't miss it. She turned to Jesse and smiled knowing he also hadn't missed it.
"Mind if I tag along?" asked Bobby as Shalimar put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "I think I need a drink."
"Need a drinking buddy?" Jesse moved to his side.
In less than half an hour they were all changed and in the car, headed for the club. It was a nice brisk night. As expected the club was packed by the time they got there. The music blared as the beat shook everything around. They found a table in the corner and ordered the first round of drinks. Without a word Remy and Marie were on the dance floor, too lost in each other to even care about the crowd. Shalimar and Brennan soon followed, leaving the men to their beers.
"Are you holding up, Jess?" Bobby had to raise his voice somewhat to be heard but he wasn't yelling.
"I'm ok, now," Jesse sipped. "I thought I was going to die there for a while. Kitty was in so much pain." He turned away and sipped again. "Thank God, Adam and Hank had some idea what was going on. Hey, I didn't thank you for helping out, either, Man. There aren't enough words."
"I didn't do anything. All I did was push a button. I'm glad Kitty's ok. We're pretty close. I miss not having her home to pick on," he smirked.
"Jesse," a young lady called as she approached the table.
Both men turned and saw a lovely, apronned blonde carrying a tray. As she approached, Bobby playfully punched Jesse's shoulder.
Jesse raised his brow at his friend then turned a brilliant smile back to the girl. "Hi, Lisa. This is Bobby Drake, a friend of Kitty's." Jesse turned to continue the introductions. "Bob, this is Lisa. She takes good care of us when we come here." He saw the two greet then turned back when Lisa spoke.
"Where's Kitty? She's brave to let you out on your own. I told her what you used to be like when you came here single and on the prowl." Lisa smiled.
"Kitty had our baby and…" before Jesse could continue he had to catch her in an embrace.
"Oh, Jesse that's wonderful." Lisa pulled away. "How is she? What did she have?"
Both men chuckled at her excitement as she sat next to them. Jesse told her all the usual info that gets passed around at a time like this…leaving out all of the traumatic details.
Lisa really had been taking care of Mutant X for almost as long as they had been coming to the club. "I'm so happy for you both. Please give the baby a kiss for me. You'll have to bring me a picture the next time you're in. I have to get back to work. I'll check back when your glasses are empty." She stood and kissed his cheek then turned and was lost in the crowd.
"Is there something you want to tell me?" Bobby eyed Jesse over another sip of beer.
Out on the dance floor, two couples were dancing, completely unaware of the eyes watching them. Since she was able to establish her link a couple of weeks ago, Cassandra has been able to track every move. Careful examination of Shalimar's mind allowed her to know about the club and the frequency with which they visited. She knew that would give her the best shot of running into her again. Being the drifter she was made it easy to get both a room and a job in the club. Waiting tables at a bar wasn't new to her. She had done it many times in many different places. This time however it wasn't just to earn the rent money. This time she had an entirely different agenda.
TBC
