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

Hello everyone. Wow, summer really does take its toll. Just when I think its quieting down, chaos erupts. Oh well, that's life. I am so close to actually writing the ending. fear not. You are all still somewhere in the middle. I just wanted to thank you all for the wonderful and encouraging reviews. I understand when some can not review every chapter and that's ok. It really makes me smile when, like Liby, a friend writes and says that they have been reading through the "series", (so much for the trilogy I started out with.) Thank you sweetheart, I'm so glad to know you're onboard. Loveconquers, MXfan214, Piperangel39, Xfan and Courtney, you are the nicest group. I love your excitement I feel coming from your comments. Hold on, there are many things yet to come, you have to know by now that finding Shalimar is far from the end.

Imaginary Friend

Chapter 13

Meanwhile, Bobby motioned for the waitress to return then looked at his date. "Would you like desert?"

"No, I don't think so. Thank you for lunch, though. This has been nice but I should get back." Cassandra looked away.

"Hey, I thought you had the day off." He smiled brightly as she looked back up at him.

Nervously she glanced from him to her hands. "I do…it's just…"

"Oh, I understand…I'll take you back then." Dejection clear in his voice.

"No…it's not like that…I really enjoyed this time with you." Now she felt bad for her hesitations.

"Then please don't make it end. I was hoping to spend the whole day with you." Bobby pleaded with the best pouting eyes he could muster. "How about a walk in the park," he tried as he reached for her hands.

"I thought you were visiting from New York. You know your way arou…"

Bobby smiled slyly, pleased that his caresses caught her attention. Softly he lied, "Well, I visit often. The guy I was with last night is my cousin." Seeing that she was captivated by his actions he continued the explanation. "We've been close since we were old enough to cause trouble. When his parents moved out here, my family visited often. Then I got old enough to travel alone and I've been doing it ever since. I love to travel."

She quickly looked up into his eyes. "Wow, so do I."

Gotcha "Well, how about that walk. I have a feeling we might discover more things we both love."

She shyly smiled then after a moment nodded. "Let me freshen up and then I'll be ready."

He stood as she left the table then sat back down with a sigh. "There is a park around here, right?"

Adam and Jesse chuckled. "Yeah, we'll get you there," Jesse's amusement rang in his voice. "I guess the park is a nice open place. You can't find too many places to get into trouble…cousin."

"You let me worry about the trouble. Adam was right. She's been love starved and is eating this up."

"Just don't over do it."

He frowned at Jesse's warning. "I'll do what I have to. Jubilee will understand." This is the second time now that he's gotten ruffled at his friends' cautions. Am I really as in control as I think…or has she gotten past Evie's filters?...No…can't be… He stood as Cassandra neared the table. Putting his arm around her he smiled, "Let's go for that walk."

Lisa quickly tried to cover her reaction and continued to wipe off the lanterns. "Oh, you sent her down to find the case of napkins," she baited.

"No, a few days ago she was asking questions about the bar. We got to talking about its history. I told her about it and she went off to explore." Tony never stopped his work as he explained. "I'll go turn the light off when I'm done."

"No, that's ok." Lisa tried to be as nonchalant as she could. "When I finish wiping these, I'll get it. I still have to bring up the case of napkins." She finished as soon as she could then casually made her way to the basement door. Once downstairs she prayed that the room would hold some clue to Shalimar.

Shalimar heard the door lock release. She was scared and tired and lonely. Confusion reigned in her mind. Thinking that the orderlies were coming for her again she covered herself completely with the blanket and stayed as still as she could.

Lisa walked into the room slowly. It had been a long time since she had need to be in there. "Oh, I really need to do something about this mess," she whispered to herself.

Slowly she examined the area, hoping for something. She moved to the mirror and then to the stacks of boxes across from it. There really wasn't anything there. Maybe she was really just exploring, the disappointed thought came. She gave up and decided Sherlock Holmes, she wasn't after all. As she almost reached the door she heard…something. Standing completely still and closing her eyes she waited. After a few seconds, she heard it again. Someone was…crying? Fear began to set in as she turned and carefully scanned the room. "Who's there? Come out and show yourself."

Lisa…That's Lisa's voice. Shalimar stopped crying and let her eyes turn golden. Yes, it is Lisa and she's…afraid. She bristled slightly at the thought.

Lisa saw it. It was a very slight movement but she caught it. As slowly and quietly as she could she moved to the chair. Taking a deep breath to try and still her pounding heart she reached a shaking hand out…and…finally convincing herself to do it…she grabbed the blanket and pulled. What she saw made her jump back and scream. Glowing eyes in a patch of tangled hair, and bared teeth that growled in reaction.

Shalimar's fear put her on the defensive as she crouched with fangs and claws ready to attack.

The cloud of fear and shock cleared and she recognized…"Shalimar?" Mutant…animal…she's scared…trapped Standing perfectly still she bravely looked into her eyes. Lisa's quick mind had served her once again. "Shalimar," she whispered as calmly as she could. "Shalimar, it's me…it's Lisa…you're ok…I'm not going to hurt you…" She saw the hesitation and watched in amazement as Shalimar's eyes changed back to her normal color. "That's it. You're ok…"

"Lisa?...What are you…How are you here?" Her voice was scratchy as she tried to speak.

"You're ok, Shalimar," Lisa slowly put her hands out in front of her. "Don't be afraid. I'm going to come a little closer, ok?"

"No!" The woman yelled in fright as she turned and tried to put her arms over her head. "Don't get any closer! I…I…don't want you…to see me…like this."

"Sshh," she soothed as she inched her way closer. "It's ok. I want to help you." Stopping in front of her Lisa knelt and gently touched the leg that was curled tight under her. "It's going to be ok, now."

"No," Shalimar let out a desperate whisper. "Don't look at me."

"Shal…Hon…it's ok. Come with me." Lisa smiled and put out her hand invitingly.

Peeking out through her arms, Shalimar looked at her. "I don't want to scare you."

"No, you won't. I was just shocked to see you here. I'm not afraid. Come on. Let's go. I'll take you to my room and get you cleaned up. Are you hurt at all?"

So nice…so soothing, Shalimar began to lower her arms but turned her eyes down. She didn't want to see the disgust on Lisa's face when she saw her ugliness.

"Good, that's better. Now let's go upstairs." She smiled as Shalimar took her hand and began to rise. "That's right. We have to get you cleaned up. Brennan's been going crazy without you."

"What!...No!" Shalimar jerked her hand away and curled back onto the chair.

"Shal?"

"No!...He can't!" The tears returned in torrents. "I can't let him see me like this."

"It's ok," Lisa smiled in understanding. "I'll take you to my room first. We'll get you cleaned up before we call him. He'll be so happy."

"No!" Shal shook her head violently. "He'll hate me."

"What?" Lisa was completely confused. Her eyes grew wide as saucers as Shalimar jumped back to her in a single bound.

"Lisa, you have to go. Leave me here. You can't…"

"No, Shal"

"Listen to me! He'll hate me. He'll never forgive me for lying to him. He thinks I'm beautiful. I tricked him…I'm…ugly…so ugly…" her voice drifted off.

"Shalimar, what are you talking about?"

"Promise me. You have to promise me," Shal was becoming irate. "You can't tell him where I am. Cassie will come back and maybe we can fix this but you can't tell him. Promise me."

"Shal, you're not making any sense." Lisa was completely lost.

"Just promise me, please," she begged through her tears. "Pleeeasse…don't tell Brennan."

TBC