Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. I created Evie and all the children.
Note: I'm sorry for not posting for a while. I told you that I was farther along in the story than this, so why is it taking so long between postings? Well, I still haven't finished it and to be honest I continuously go back and read and change and add through out the story. This is the first story that I started posting before I actually wrote the end. It makes really nervous to post. I'm afraid I will have to go back and add a scene or change a fact. There is hope. I finally figured out how to work into the climax of the conflict. It had me stumped for a very long time. When it is finally finished and proofed, I promise to post much more regularly. Thank you all for your encouragements and your patience.
Redhead
Imaginary Friend
Chapter 7
Careful to keep her distance, Cassandra just watched and waited. While she moved around the club clearing empty glasses someone else caught her eye. In the far corner was a table with two men…two men she had seen before. So interested was she in the one man whom she never really thought she'd see again, that she almost completely forgot about Shalimar and started thinking about herself. It had been a long time since she was attracted to anyone. No one was usually attracted to her. Twice in one day… she thought. Taking a deep breath and trying to act as calmly as possible Cassandra neared their table. "May I take your empties?"
"Sure, thanks," replied Jesse with a short glance. When he turned back he saw the oddest look on Bobby's face. Looking back at the girl he found her returning Bobby's stare. Clearing his throat he tried, "Um, Bobby?"
"You're the girl from the supermarket." Bobby stated, really leaving Jesse with questions.
"Yes," she shyly looked at her tray.
"This is really strange, but I know I've seen you somewhere. It's not a line, I promise," He added quickly. "I've been thinking about it all day. Can you help me out?" Bobby stood slowly and stepped closer.
"Uh…I go on break in about 5 minutes. Will you…um…meet me at the bar?" No, of course not. This is crazy. Why do I set myself up for these disappointments?
"5 minutes. I'll be there." Bobby smiled as the girl looked up in surprise. He watched her smile slightly then turn away. When he moved to sit back down, he saw the same shocked face on Jesse. "Relax, it's not what you think."
"Really? Just give me warning before you decide to come clean with Jubes. I want to make sure Bryan and Kitty are far enough away."
Bobby explained what he could then checked his watch. "Gotta go. Just you don't blow this out of proportion and we'll all be fine." He tapped his friend's shoulder and headed for the bar.
Back at Sanctuary, Kitty and Jubes were sitting in Kitty's room talking like they used to when they were roommates. "I miss this. We don't get to talk forever then we have so much to catch up on. I never get anything first anymore," Kitty complained.
"Well, I have a first I was saving for you. No one else knows yet." Jubilee put her hand into her jeans pocket and pulled out lovely diamond ring. She put it in its rightful place and then held her hand out to her friend.
Kitty was so excited that she let out a shriek before she remembered that she would wake up her baby. Clamping a hand over her still opened mouth she painfully bounced on the bed once, winced from the pain and stilled to take Jubilee's hand for closer inspection. "I want complete details and don't leave a single word out."
Bobby approached the bar and smiled when the girl came near. "Would you like to have a seat?" Bob offered.
"Actually, I'd like to dance. Would that be ok?" Cassandra looked to the dance floor hesitantly. I got him this far. Maybe this can go somewhere.
Looking at her then the crowded floor he smiled, "Sure, that sounds great." Extending his arm politely he gestured for her to lead. Jesse, just don't say anything.
The music was fast and the beat steady as they began to move. In only a matter of seconds the song ended and immediately another began; this one with a much softer beat. Bobby looked at the girl he was with and smiled charmingly. Lifting his hands he offered, "Shall we?"
With a bright smile, Cassandra slowly stepped forward and moved her arms to his shoulders. He's so sweet. I can't believe he really offered this dance. His shoulders feel so strong. She mused on and on as they swayed to the music.
Bobby held her respectably and leaned toward her to speak. "What's your name?"
"Cassandra," she whispered.
Brennan held Shalimar close as his head rested on hers. His eyes closed in the comfort of closeness he cherished with her. "What?" he asked in shock when he felt her lift her head suddenly.
"It's Bobby. Look." She indicated the direction and turned to find Marie and Remy. They were lost in each other's arms, oblivious to anyone around them. Turning back, she watched as Bobby seemed to be leaning closer to his new dance partner. "I hope he knows what he's…" Shalimar stopped in shock when she got the chance to see the girl's face.
"Cassandra, I'm Bobby. I want to apologize for the line in the supermarket but I really do think I've seen you. As a matter of fact you've been on my mind all day."
"I have?" Cassandra interrupted with a smile.
"Well, I've been trying to figure out where I've seen you. Have you always lived here?"
"No, actually, I've just moved here. I lived in upstate New York for a while. I move around a lot."
"New York? I live in…" Bobby moved away to look into her eyes. "That's it. I've got it. You were on the catering staff at Remy and Marie's wedding."
Cassandra looked away and began to step back. "Yes," she said shyly. "I'm sorry. I should have told you, right away."
Immediately Bobby picked up on her sadness. "Wait, where're you going? The song isn't over yet." Bob smiled as he held her shoulders.
"You still want to dance with me?" she asked. "I thought once you remembered you wouldn't want to…well…" she looked down again.
"Hey, I'm not like that. I wanted to find out where I'd seen you. Now I'd like to finish our dance." He smiled kindly as she moved back to him.
Cassandra was thrilled. It wasn't very often she attracted such a handsome and kind man. She had never had a serious relationship and the last man she attracted was more interested in what he could get from her and the all other girls she worked with in trade for their job security. She sighed when the song ended. "I have to get back to work now. Thank you for the dance."
"Thank you. And I'm glad the mystery is solved." He smiled as he watched her walk away.
Back at the table, Jesse stared at him as he returned to his seat. "A slow dance? You really do have a death wish, don't you?"
"Relax, will ya? That didn't mean anything. I just had to find out where I'd seen her before. It was bothering me."
"And did you?"
"Yeah. Turns out she was on the catering staff at the mansion for Remy's wedding."
"Wow, that's weird."
"Tell me about it."
Just then Shalimar returned to the table with a lot of questions. "Bobby, who is she?"
Looking at Jesse then back up to Shal, he smiled and stood. Taking her hand he said, "Come and dance with me so Jesse doesn't make me feel like a heel, and I'll tell you all about it." He moved as she followed him in hand to the dance floor.
The next song wasn't slow but the beat wasn't pounding. Bobby took Shalimar closer and began to explain.
Cassandra had come out from behind the bar and finished with an order as she looked around and hoped to catch Bobby's eye again. When she looked to the table she saw his friend and… the man from the supermarket. Scanning the dance floor she spotted him. Her heart sank to find him in the arms of…her. Oh no. He can't be with her. She can't take him away from me. I won't let her. Cassandra closed her eyes and concentrated hard.
"That's really strange, Bob. After the supermarket, I had the feeling that I should know her, too, but I couldn't place it. Maybe I was remembering the wedding and didn't realize it."
"Thank you. So I'm justified, right. You're not going to tell Jubes that I've been making moves on someone else, are you?"
Shalimar began to laugh then squeezed her eyes shut. Putting her hands to her head she groaned from the pain and fell into Bobby's arms.
"Shal, what's wrong?" Sudden panic took his mind from everything else.
Shalimar,… Shaaallliiimmaaar A small gentle voice sounded in her head.
"Shal?...Shal?...Shalimar!" Bobby held her from falling.
Suddenly released, she opened her eyes and looked at him.
"What happened? Are you ok?" The fear on Bobby's face only served to increase her own.
"I…don't know," she said as if in a daze.
"Come on. We'll get you home." Bobby held her close as they moved off the dance floor.
As soon as they cleared the crowd, Brennan and Jesse saw them and both jumped from the table calling her name. Getting closer they could see that she was in some kind of pain. "I'll get the car," announced Jesse and headed for the door.
"Shal, what happened?" Brennan moved to her side and took her from Bobby's arms. When she just shook her head against his chest he turned to Bobby.
"I don't know, Man. We were dancing. It wasn't a really fast song so we were sorta close. She grabbed her head and groaned then fell against me."
"Ok, Jesse went for the car. Let's go."
"Take her out. I'll get the coats and the lovebirds and meet you at the door." Bobby saw Brennan nod and lead Shalimar through the crowd. He went back to the table and as he picked up everyone's jackets he heard a voice behind him.
"Are you leaving already?"
His mind had been on Shalimar, and he turned quickly at the sound so close to him. "Cassandra. Yeah, we have to go. One of the girls in our group isn't feeling well." He turned then stopped when he felt her hand rest gently on his arm.
"I hope I get to see you again." She smiled up at him.
"Um, thanks for the dance. I've gotta find the others." He smiled kindly at her then moved onto the dance floor to find Remy and Marie.
TBC
