Discliamer: I don't own Mutant X or X Men.

Imaginary Friend

Chapter 11

At the club, Bobby sat at the bar and ordered a drink. Jesse just stood in the shadows on the far side of the dance floor.

It was late and the place was packed. Waitresses hustled from table to table to keep the orders flowing. Cassandra had a full tray of empty glasses and snack dishes balanced high as she came around the end of the bar to go into the back. As she circled she spotted him. Her heart almost stopped and the tray almost fell. Quickly regaining her balance and attention to her job she passed through the kitchen doors and handed off the heavy tray. Grabbing an empty from the pile, she slowly pushed open the door and peeked out as if not trusting what she had seen. He's back…and looking good…Oh, that opened shirt hot on him. She stood and watched him for a few moments. When he put down his empty glass, she moved in. "May I take that for you?"

Bobby turned at the sound of her voice and smiled charmingly. "Cassandra, hi. Yeah sure." He handed her the glass.

"Are your friends dancing?" Trying to control her pounding heart she hoped he would want to talk to her as much as she him.

"Uh, no, actually. I'm here alone tonight. I'm sort of a fifth wheel in the evenings if you know what I mean."

She smiled shyly then turned to go.

Bobby reached out and gently touched her arm, "I, uh,…enjoyed our dance last night. I hope you don't think I'm being pushy but you're the only one here I know. And…well…would you like to dance again, on your next break?"

Again her heart raced. Smiling to cover the shock, she looked away then back up into his eyes. "I'd really like that. Thanks. I…um…don't get another break for about a half hour," she added apologetically.

"That's alright." His hand feathered down her arm until it reached her hand. Soft fingers caressed the back of it as he charmed, "I'll just order another drink and wait for you."

Lost in his eyes she nodded slowly then finally pulled her self away and went back to work.

Bobby watched her walk away then turned back to the bar and ordered that other drink.

"Slick as ice," Jesse's voice chimed in his ear.

"Hey…" he whispered into his drink. "I can play the part."

"You better remember it's a part. I get the feeling Jubilee wouldn't be a gracious critic."

"Oh, it's a part, alright. Too bad it's not a movie I'm about to give an Oscar winning performance." He heard Jesse snicker when he put down his glass and struck his pose.

After clearing a nearby table, Cassandra glanced back at Bobby to see him leaning back with his elbow on the bar looking at her. She saw him smile when their eyes met but she quickly turned to the next table.

From the corner, Jesse watched as Bobby eyed the girl for the next half hour. Occasionally, he would throw a one liner in just to break the monotony and make Bobby struggle to keep his player's face on.

Bobby, for his part, tried his best to ignore the fly in his ear as he flirted from a distance with the object of his mission. As the time passed his flirtation grew bolder with winks and appraising looks. He could tell she was enjoying his game so when she passed closely enough he would reach out and slide his hand down her arm or back. Once he touched her hair.

"Jesse?"

Momentarily startled, Jesse turned and found Lisa standing next to him. "Oh, uh, hi, Lis."

With a frown of concern and a glance across to the bar she looked back into his face. "Jesse, this isn't one of your usual places."

"No, it's not." Jesse motioned with his hand to a seat beside him and watched as Lisa sat. "We're still trying to find Shalimar."

"Oh, no," she gasped. "But you're watching the man you were with last night. Do you think he…?"

Jesse smiled and cut her off with a shake of his head. "No. Bobby's like family to us. He's trying to help."

Lisa looked back and saw Bobby stand from his place at the bar and move to the dance floor leading Cassandra by the hand.

Jesse saw the questions in her eyes when she turned back to him. "What do you know about her?"

"Cassandra?...Not much...She started here about a week ago."

Nervousness set in and Jesse could tell. "Lisa, listen." He reached over and covered her hand with his. "We're not sure but we think she may have a connection to Shalimar. Bobby's here to check it out. Is her last name, Moore?"

Lisa looked at their hands then up at his face. She turned and looked at the two on the dance floor. Without another doubt, Lisa sat up straighter and met Jesse's eyes. "Yes, it is. At least that's what she told me. She said she'd just moved here from New York…No family, as I recall. She needed a job and a place to stay. The owner hired her on the spot and gave her one of the rooms upstairs…She's a hard worker…doesn't talk too much…" Lisa paused and looked back at the couple. "Except about him," she turned back with a smile. "She was really taken with him after last night."

"Can you tell me where her room is?" Jesse asked quietly.

"I'll show you." Lisa started to get up when she felt Jesse squeeze her hand and not let it move from his hold. She stopped and looked at him.

"Lisa, I really don't want you to get…"

"Hey," She cut him off with a smile. "You guys are my friends. Shalimar's in trouble. I want to help. Besides…" she leaned in and whispered, "I can get you up there unseen." She sat back in her chair and waited for his answer.

Jesse sat silently contemplating, so she thought. Actually, Adam was speaking to him.

"Jesse, let her help you. We've known her a long time and she's safe. We won't let anything happen to her."

Smiling back at her, he raised a hand out for her to shake. When she did, Jesse leaned in, met her eyes and whispered, "Adam says, 'Welcome to the team." Without breaking eye contact with her, he raised his ring to his lips and spoke out. "Bobby, keep her occupied. I found out she lives upstairs and I just got a free pass to visit her room. Be back in a few minutes." Standing up he gallantly motioned for her to lead. "After you."

"And I thought the ring bound you to Kitty," she smiled as she stood.

"That's the other one," he smiled warmly as he followed her back into the service area behind the bar.

"I'm going over there," declared Brennan as he reached for his jacket.

"Hold on," Adam stopped him. "There isn't anything you can do yet. We don't know where Shalimar is."

"I can't just sit here, Adam. I'm going crazy. I feel so helpless." Brennan paced.

"I know. We all do. But you have to let the guys work. Jesse's checking her room. You know if he finds anything at all he'll report in." Adam saw Evie walk up to them as he spoke.

"Brennan, come and sit down," she spoke softly to him as she led him to a chair. "Let me help you to relax a little."

"Evie, don't…" he started as he sat. "I can't sleep now."

"Bren, I wouldn't put you to sleep. I'm just going to relax your muscles." She began rubbing his shoulders as his head rolled from side to side. "You need to release the tension so when we find her you'll be ready to go in and bring her home."

Jesse found himself behind a set of shelves in the back of the kitchen.

"This way," Lisa whispered as she moved a small rack on wheels.

Looking back to make sure they weren't being watched, Jesse turned and found that she'd revealed a small opening leading to a set of butler stairs. He quickly followed her through the opening then pulled the rack back into place. Darkness quickly engulfed them. He felt Lisa's hand on his shoulder. It gently slid down to his hand as she took the lead and they began a slow ascent.

When they had gone up a few steps and the noise from the kitchen began to fade, Jesse heard Lisa whisper.

"This leads up to a closet on the second floor. I'm the only one with a key. The old couple who owned the place finally moved to a quiet neighborhood. When their son took over he and I made an arrangement. He lets me have the master suite with a modest salary and I serve as second in command. Since I had been here so long and worked so well helping his parents, I had all the practical know-how to run the place. He had other interests of his own to mind. He has the education and the money with only marginal interest. I have the experience and I love this place. It's a fair deal. I'm hoping to have enough money some day to buy it from him." She released Jesse's hand as they got to the top of the stairs. With little trouble she found the key and unlocked the door. Once on the other side and closed in, Lisa moved off to find the light switch. "Watch your eyes," she called.

"Wow, that's bright," Jesse blinked a few times. "Is that the door to the hallway?" he asked pointing.

"No. That's my room. The butler stairs served the master suite years ago." Lisa inclined her head and stated, "Cassandra's room is on the other side of this wall. I have keys for all the rooms in my desk. I can…"

"No, it's ok. This will be fine." Jesse wondered what she would think and was relieved to see the smile on her face. "You know, don't you?"

"That you're a mutant?" Lisa nodded and smiled. "I have for a while. A club is a great place for information transfer. Most of it's gossip or tragic and depressing stories. But… every once in a while you hear a nice thing about someone or a wonderful story. I like to hear those stories. I'll tell you about them sometime."

"You'll have to do that. For now, stay right here. I'll be back in a minute." He turned toward the wall and after a deep cleansing breath he exhaled completely and phased through the wall.

Lisa's eyes were wide with curiosity and amazement. As she waited, she wondered about the stories she'd heard. Some seemed so fantastic she wasn't sure they were true. But now…maybe they were. In a very short time she saw Jesse rematerialize in front of her.

"Wow. That was amazing," she said with the enthusiasm of a child.

Jesse had to chuckle at her reaction. "You said you knew."

"Only that you were a mutant. I didn't know what you could do."

"Hold on," Jesse lifted his hand and reported in. "Adam, I was just in her room. I didn't find a thing to make me suspect her of anything. The room is a little sparse but she's only been here for a week, not too many clothes. No other real personal affects. No journal or log. No pictures or letters. Nothing."

"Ok, Jess, let's see what Bobby turns up. Thank Lisa for me. Warn her about Cassie. I don't want her caught in the middle of this whole thing. When this is over, tell her I'd like to buy her dinner and hear her stories."

"Right." Jesse smiled as he looked back at Lisa.

"Jesse," Kitty called him. "Tell Lisa hello for me."

"Kitty says hello," he relayed.

"Oh, tell her I said hello and I'd love to see the baby."

"She heard you, and she said you'll be one of the first." Jesse just shook his head at the women's conversation through him. "We need to get back downstairs. Why do I get the feeling that I'm being upstaged by my son already," he complained as they made their way back down the dark butler stairs, then chuckled when both women laughed at him.

Once at the table, Jesse saw Bobby go back to the bar and Cassandra pick up her apron and tray. "Listen, Lisa. Now that I've gotten you involved in this I want you to promise me that you won't do anything on your own."

"But, I can…"

Jesse took her hands in both of his and held firmly. "No, you can't. The only thing you can do is just what you have been. You can keep your eyes and ears open but that's all. We have reason to believe that this girl has some mutant abilities…She's telepathic. Right now she has no reason to react to you. I want you to keep it that way. If she thinks your relationship has changed, you could be in danger. Do you understand?"

Slowly Lisa nodded. "I understand."

"When all this is over we'll talk more. Adam wants to get better acquainted with you. Right now we have to find Shalimar. If you see or hear anything, call. The number you have will reach us. You better get back to work now before she sees us together.

With a quick nod and a small smile, Lisa went back to work leaving Jesse to get back to watching Bobby's back…literally. Bobby sat facing the bar and spoke to Cassandra every time she returned a tray full of dirty dishes and glasses. When again he saw her leave, Jesse took up his role of fly in Bobby's ear. "Hey, Bob, you still alone in your head or do you have company?"

"Very funny…Did you find anything?"

"No. What did you come up with?"

"Just the usual get to know the girl stuff. Confirmed that she's Moore and she doesn't stay in one place too long. She altered her history, a little. I guess you don't tell a guy on your first date that you were once institutionalized."

"I wouldn't think so. Wait…what do you mean, first date?"

"Relax, it was really my idea, not hers. I just thought that as long as she's with me, it gives us more of an in and she's not hurting Shal…as long as she's working alone."

"Ok, so when is this next date, Cassanova?"

"She's off tomorrow, so I'm taking her out for lunch."

Suddenly, Adam's voice cut in on both of them. "Alright, I think that's enough for tonight. Both of you get back here now. We have enough to work with."

Brennan stood sharply, "Adam!"

"Brennan, we can't do any more. Shal will be ok. You know how strong she is."

"Evie, can't you find her?" He turned desperately to her.

"No, I've tried. She's being shielded somehow."

"Maybe that means she's not working alone? What if…"

"There's no indication that she has a partner in this." Adam jumped in, not wanting Brennan's worry to cause rampant speculation. "Cassandra's been a loner since she left the institution. We'll find Shalimar…you know that. I want everyone to rest so we can be ready for whatever Bobby can find out tomorrow."

"Brennan, come on," Evie soothed as she gently pulled him toward the stairs. Her heart broke as he just hung his head and followed.

When Jesse finally got to his room, Kitty was up feeding Bryan. "How's my little man doing?" he smiled as he went to change.

"He's been a good boy. What about you? Were you a good boy, at the club?" Kitty suggestively eyed her husband.

"I was only playing lookout. Bobby's the one we have to watch. He's going for an Oscar with this one. I wonder if he flirted with Jubilee in the beginning the way I saw him work tonight."

"Oh, I seem to remember quite a bit of back and forth between the two of them. Jubes made him really earn the first date." They both laughed as he got into bed.

"Well, I won't be the one to talk about this mission when it's over. He's already got a date for lunch tomorrow and he asked me to recommend somewhere romantic."

Kitty frowned and put a sleeping Bryan back in his bassinet as she began to think of what the morning would bring.

Bobby got into bed and pulled out his cell phone. He knew his girl would be waiting for him. "Hi, Baby…No, we didn't find her yet…Yeah, he's really down, but we'll find her…he knows…I'll tell him…I'm ok…Well…She's not you…We just danced…I had to verify that she's the one Adam suspects…Yeah, she is…No, I won't be home yet…I have to finish this…I made the connection…I have to get her to tell me where Shal is…Don't worry…I love you. You know I can't live without you…Tell the professor the news so far…Ok…Yeah…I miss you, too. Pleasant dreams, Princess." Wow, this is hard. It was really easy to play the part with Cassandra but having to fess up to Jubes…

Brennan lay in bed staring at the ceiling. A myriad of thoughts cascaded through his mind. He thought back to the first time he saw her. He was fighting with Thorne's goons, trying to keep them away from Emma. She was amazing as she flew through the air and took out the agents. He remembered when they had come to get them out of Genomex and he had scared off his captor, sending him running for fear of electrocution. She was there waiting for him. With the most brilliant smile, she took the hand he offered as they walked away from the trouble of the day. He had been so captivated by her from the very beginning. Visions of Shalimar laughing or fighting by his side over the years flashed before his mind's eye. Each a cherished memory. Each now a knife stabbed into his aching heart. He closed his eyes to hold back the stinging tears that formed as he remembered the look on her face as Adam escorted her to him on their wedding day. Nothing in his life brought him more joy than the moment she said, 'I do'. Remembering that day brought back the memory of the night before when they had traveled into the future. He remembered the pain he saw in the man he was to become in that timeline. He had always had Shalimar with him, so it was difficult to really understand how the older man felt without his wife. But the pain he saw made him sure he didn't want to become him. No matter what anyone said, he was going to change the future. Now it seemed that he was getting a taste of it anyway. And what a bitter taste. The only thing that kept him from complete hopelessness was the fact that she was not dead. A fact he repeated to himself all evening. Now…in their bed…alone…he could feel the tendrils of despair grasping at his heart. As exhaustion finally began to take hold he could feel the darkness overcome him. With the last ounce of strength he called to her in the shadows of their room. "Hold on, Baby, please. We'll find…you…I'll…come…for…yo…."

Outside his door, Evie smiled through her tears then walked back to her room where she knew her husband waited to comfort her.

In a cold basement room, Shalimar sat on the old chair with a musty blanket pulled tight around her, the only comfort she thought she'd ever feel again. I've lost everything. Oh, Brennan, I'm so sorry. How could I have ever hoped to have you love me forever? You couldn't love me like this…like I really am…You'd never forgive me if you ever found out how much I've lied to you. Ugly…I'm so ugly… Scared and alone she…again…like the years had never been…she cried herself to sleep…in her cell.

TBC