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

Imaginary Friend

Chapter 30

Just as Adam had predicted, Brennan did not understand why Shalimar's memory couldn't be fixed before breakfast. He didn't understand when they told him that her feral side needed the time to get settled, just like when she went through this period at the age of 20. It made no sense to him. She wasn't a hormonal teenager. Her memory was altered, not her body. "Fix her memory and the problem would be solved," he yelled at them, full of anger, frustration and pain. "It seems pretty straight forward to me. You're both making too much of it. You just aren't considering how strong her will is.

"Yes, we are." Adam stood and walked closer. "You just don't understand everything about the feral mindset."

"I don't understand? I understand my wife, Adam."

"Brennan," Charles called calmingly, "we are doing everything possible to help her. You know we would do nothing less."

Throwing his hands up in defeated irritation he went out on the grounds. He needed to get out of the house before Shalimar came down. He was thankful that she was no longer in pain. Now the pain…was all his. He desperately wanted his wife back. Her not knowing of their relationship hurt worse than he would have imagined. He thought back to the night before their wedding. Seeing himself, from the future…a future without Shalimar…was hard. He spent time with his future self and got a taste of what he might go through if she really did die…if the future played out as he saw it. That pain was bad…bad enough to want to tamper with the timeline just enough to alter it. But now,…to what end? In that time line, Shalimar was dead. There was nothing he could do about. Just live with it. He was miserable without her but at least he had Shawna. Brennan walked along the edge of the pond, lost in the whirlwind of thoughts assaulting him. Sitting on the trunk of a fallen tree he continued to be tossed by the swirling tide of emotion. This pain was worse. She wasn't dead. She was right in front of him. Living and breathing…walking and talking…completely unaware of what she means to him…looking right past his broken heart…and making advances…on one of their closest friends. His heart ached at the thought. But she would never really do that to him. She loved him. Her memory is gone. It's not her fault. It's natural for her to be attracted to him. Then…as if struck by lightning Brennan sat up straighter as…from across time…his own tormented voice called back to him…and he remembered…"Ferals attract… It was a good thing my relationship with Shal was solid by the time we met Logan. I'm sure she would have been with him otherwise."… His lungs burned for the breath he wasn't taking. Now their relationship wasn't solid. It wasn't even there. A thought as sharp as an arrow pierced his throbbing heart. She's looking for her alpha male… Brennan threw the stone from his hand as hard as he could as he anguished aloud, "…and she's looking right past me."

Logan walked toward the kitchen. Stopping suddenly in the hall, he heard her. Damn…her senses are sharp, he thought as he heard her call to him. I hope Chuck works fast. I can't keep this up. His steps seemed heavier as he went through the door. Intentionally not meeting her intense stare, Logan returned the morning greetings from Jean and Evie. He stopped his pursuit of coffee when he heard little Thomas call out for him. "Good morning, Little Buddy." He looked down at the two toddlers returning his attentions with huge oatmeal covered smiles. "Wow, oatmeal. My favorite. Give Uncle Logan some." He leaned in for imaginary bites from both babies, then quickly evaded the four oatmeal smeared hands reaching for him. "I think we'll save the hugs for later. I just took a shower." He heard the women in the room giggle at his antics and remembered who else was there. He quickly filled his mug and nodded a quick goodbye as he left the kitchen.

Jean turned to find Shalimar staring at the doorway Logan had just exited through. "Um, Shalimar, are you feeling more rested this morning?" Jean met Evie's eyes when Shal seemed to not have even heard her. "Shalimar," Jean reached out and touched her arm.

Shalimar hadn't heard a thing she said. Her senses were still focused on the man who just left. She jumped when she felt the touch on her arm. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I was just asking if you felt more rested this morning."

"Yes…yes, I do. I feel…amazingly…alive, this morning," her voice trailed as she turned back to the door and missed the concerned looks shared by Jean and Evie.

Come in Logan Charles sent as he could feel the man approach his office.

Keeping tabs on me, Chuck? Logan opened the door and entered, not surprised at all to see Adam and Jesse sitting in the office.

"Not just you," Charles answered aloud. "I am actually keeping a link open to a few people, here, today."

"Then you know what just happened?" Logan sat in a chair near the window and looked out over the grounds.

"What happened?" Jesse looked at Adam then back to Logan and the professor.

"All I did was walk into the kitchen. Her senses picked me up while I was still in the hall." Logan turned and met each of their eyes quickly then turned back to the view.

"Logan, we all know you are not doing anything to encourage these reactions from Shalimar." Charles watched as the man refused to turn.

"I don't understand the hold up." Jesse stood and began to pace. "Why can't you just start," he looked to Charles. "I think I understand what you explained last night but all she needs is two more years of memories. She was attracted to Brennan from the very beginning. It was almost love at first sight except they were both too stubborn to give in. She'll see him and that will take care of it. They were made for each other. Surely she'll see that. "

"Not gonna happen." Logan said without turning.

"Why? Look, I know how close you two are but when a choice had to be made…well…she turned you down cold." Jesse shrugged his shoulders in response when Logan turned.

"It's a little like changing the timeline," Adam began to explain. "Even though Shalimar would rationally remember her feelings for Brennan and all the history they share, there would be something missing."

"What? Won't she remember everything about them?" Jesse moved back to his chair and sat.

"Back then, while Brennan was playing his cards, I wasn't in the game. That's why she could 'turn me down cold' when we met. She can't do that now." Logan continued to stare at the trees lining the distance.

"You better not let Ro hear you say that," Jesse smiled at the back of Logan's head.

"She already did." Ro stood in the opened doorway as she saw all the men turn toward her. "But I think I understand." She closed the door and walked toward her husband. "Feral…and female… If she were to remember her marriage to Brennan now…her…heart…so to speak…wouldn't be in it." Ro moved to sit in the chair Logan sweetly offered. "She doesn't even realize it, does she?" she asked turning to Charles.

"I do not believe she does."

"Wait…wait…What are you saying? She's in love with Logan?"

"No, Jess…not in love. It's all her feral nature. Rationally, she's just met everyone…Brennan included. But when her feral side exerts itself…the rational shuts down. You saw her at the dinner table last night. There have been only very rare times in all the years she's lived with us that she's ever been so completely wild."

"That's where I'm the problem." Logan smiled down as his wife reached for his hand.

"Right now, without her memories of life with Brennan," Adam tried to continue the explanation, "she's reached out with her feral side to find her alpha male…and she's chosen…Logan."

"If she were to remember everything now," Ro whispered sadly as she realized, "her heart would break."

"Exactly the reason I can not continue. We must find a way to resolve this issue quickly. Perhaps the Logans should take an impromptu getaway for the remainder of Mutant X's visit."

The office was silent for a moment as everyone seemed to need the time to absorb all the information.

Heads turned quickly when Logan growled in resignation. "No," he said firmly. "I have to stay right here. You," he turned his look down toward his wife, "have to make sure you don't cross her path. She'll react to you for sure. Until this is over do me a favor, Darlin', and stay with Jean and Hank. You need to brush up on emergency care for children, anyway." He returned her doubtful glare with a charming grin and quick kiss to her cheek. Then turning back toward the men he asked, "Where's Brennan, now."

Charles closed his eyes and reached out for his friend. "He's out near the lake on the east grounds."

"Ok, I'll handle it. When Shalimar comes back to you, just work fast so we can put this behind us."

"What're you gonna do?" Jesse asked hesitantly.

"I'm gonna show Shalimar just who she's choosing. If it goes like I plan, she'll be ready for you by this afternoon. Just make sure Jean and Hank are ready for a couple of patients. I'm not sure how well electricity and adamantium get along."

TBC