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

Imaginary Friend

Chapter 19

Shalimar lay motionless on Lisa's sofa. In her unnatural sleep her face was peaceful and calm, in sharp contrast to her physical appearance. Her clothes were torn, her hair was a mess and what little make up was left on her face was streaked and dotted from all the crying.

Lisa anticipated some needs and met Brennan when he got to her room. She put a pillow under her head when he laid her down and covered her with a clean, soft blanket. It broke her heart to see her in this condition. She smiled at Brennan when she saw him take the warm wash cloth she offered. She marveled at his tenderness as he began to lovingly caress his wife's face.

Adam and Jesse walked in first. They explained what they were going to do, then called for the others to come in.

Evie knelt beside the couch and took Shalimar's hand. Closing her eyes she probed into her mind. The walls were there but with the sedation, didn't seem as strong. Being unconscious meant that Shal's mind didn't have to actively reinforce the walls. Taking a deep breath, both in her mind and visibly in her body, Evie pushed past the walls and looked for Shalimar. Remembering a technique, Charles had shown her one time, she closed her eyes and drew on the consciousness she felt all around her. When the feelings coalesced to one point in front of her she opened her eyes again and saw Shalimar crouched on the floor with her arms wrapped tightly around her legs. Her head was down on her knees and she was shaking. Evie tried calling to her but she didn't seem to acknowledge her presence. Closing her eyes again, she looked for someone else.

Standing in the room in silence everyone waited as calmly as they could for Evie to work. Her sudden movement caught everyone's attention. Without opening her eyes, she raised her arm up and extended a hand to Cassandra.

Looking up momentarily to Bobby, who hadn't left her side, she saw him give a small smile and nod. She turned back and took Evie's hand as she closed her eyes.

Cassandra found herself once again in a very familiar place and watched as Evie walked up to her.

"You need to release her, now. I can't get her to hear me."

Cassandra walked over to the frightened figure and knelt in front of her. "Shalimar…" She tried to smile when the woman looked up.

"Cassie? You came back. I knew you would." Shalimar uncurled and threw her arms around her. "You know you're the only friend I've got in the whole world."

"No, Shal. I have to tell you something." Cassie turned and looked uncertainly at Evie. She saw the woman nod then turned to continue. "Shalimar, I have to go away now. I won't be coming back."

"No, you can't leave me alone…" Shalimar began to cry and held her tighter.

"Hey, listen," Cassie finally hugged Shalimar back. "I would never leave you alone. You have a wonderful family and friends who love you very much. Since I've been back, I've been in the way. They need you, Shal. Your husband needs you. I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused. I hope one day you'll forgive me." Cassie pulled away from Shalimar who was beginning to sob. When Cassie reached out to remove the tag she placed in Shal's mind she disappeared.

Moving away from Evie, Cassie looked around in tears, then ran out and to her own room.

"I'll go," Lisa whispered and followed her out.

Shalimar's mind wasn't nearly as quiet as the room her body was in. As soon as the tag was removed and Cassie was gone, images of all sorts mixed together. Good memories and bad collided and twisted. The distortion swept over Shal's entire mind. She screamed at the onslaught of surreal visions that seemed to taunt her. Orderlies approaching her with syringes and whips. A little girl crying after her father as he walked away from her, leaving her in the unfriendly hands of institution security. Adam yelling at her to do better and work harder. Other children cowering in fear. Jesse laughing at her.

Evie saw disjointed images flying all around her. She moved quickly to her side. "Shalimar!" she yelled. "Shalimar, look at me!" Evie shook the screaming woman until she complied. "Look at me!..."

"Evie…oh Evie…it's so terrible…get me out…you have to get me out…"

"Shalimar, it's ok. None of this is real…It's all a bad dream…"

The images faded slightly. Shalimar looked around in panic. "Brennan…no, Brennan, don't!"

TBC

Now what would life be like if I ended it all now with Shalimar safely back in her husband's arms? There is so much more to suffer through…I mean…do. (No, I'm not really evil. I just have so much more in my head. My real life is so mundane that this is my only excitement. I love to live vicariously in my world. Rest assured there is always a happy ending.)