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

Note: I just went into my timeline for my world. I think I can accomplish what I want in 4 more stories. That means one would have to read 11 stories to make the journey through my world. If it were a novel, I wonder how big it would be.

Imaginary Friend

Chapter 36

Lunch had past; tension in the mansion was at an unusual high. The students were out on the grounds for an impromptu field trip/fall activity/get them out of the house. Marie, Remy, Jubilee and Bobby were the designated chaperones for the group.

Adam and his family were gathered in the Library. Hank, Logan, Ro, Scott and Jean offered as much support as they could during the agonizing wait. Charles' estimate had been incorrect only due to the fact that he was indeed more tired than he realized and it took its toll on his effectiveness. To be as accurate and careful as he needed to be he found he needed to move even slower than he had the day before. Another hour and a half had passed. Polite conversation had long turned into worried silence only broken by the occasional noises of a sleeping infant. Jean and Evie, both, could feel the fraying of nerves as they tried to send calm into the room…and still the door to Charles' office remained closed.

Brennan's mind was running on overdrive as he couldn't help but play the events of the last two days over and over. He relived the fear he felt when he realized his wife was missing. The relief of knowing she was safe when Lisa called was quickly stolen and replaced by the shock over her refusal to see him…or be seen by him. His heart almost couldn't take it when Evie had to explain that it was mortal fear of him that had driven her away. All he wanted to do was hold her in his arms…comfort her…chase the fears away…but her reaction to him…he was the fear…and he couldn't even get within sensing range. Through monitors he was forced to watch as his best friend and brother was able to do all he couldn't. His heart raced with the apprehension that vibrated through his entire being. When the professor is done, what will she be like? Will she remember everything? Will she remember being so afraid of me? Will we be able to put this behind us? Will she ever be able to feel safe in my arms again? Anguish rolled off him in sheets.

Jean and Evie tried to shield themselves and everyone else in the room but having everyone feel the same made their efforts almost fruitless.

On top of all that Logan's feral instincts were causing him to react to the heightened tensions all around him. He had to fight to hold his ground.

Everyone was gripped in shock as Brennan suddenly froze his pacing.

Brennan, will you please come into my office. Brennan took off like lightning.

Adam, we will bring her into the library as soon as is possible.

Thank you, Charles. Everything… Adam had so many questions but he knew Charles would understand.

Yes, My Friend. Everything is finished for now and she is well. Charles sensed his friend's apprehension begin to release.

Almost before he finished his short conversation with Adam, Charles saw the door to his office burst open and a very overanxious husband rush in. "Brennan, please come in and have a seat."

"I'm sorry, Professor." Brennan panted.

"It is quiet alright. I would be running in as well, were I in your place." He smiled as he knew that would bring a much needed chuckle to the young man. "I know you will all be anxious to get home and rest. Though I know how much she truly loves her time here, I think she will need the familiar surroundings of home to calm her."

"Professor, how much will she remember?" Brennan's voice shook.

"I have given her all her memory back save the experiences during her young life in the institution. That I reserved for much the same reason Adam had in the beginning. I will work with her in the near future to go through and restore what memories are necessary. It would be best if you brought her to me for short periods at a time over the next few months."

"But what will she remember of this last mission?" Brennan was almost afraid to ask but he had to know.

"She will remember everything," Charles said with heaviness. "It is necessary for her to not have gaps in the most recent past in order that she be able to deal with her distant past. Knowing all the details of this last mission will make her question the time she doesn't remember. She will know that Cassandra kidnapped her and that she was an imaginary friend she had as a child but she will not remember that childhood. That gap alone will most likely frighten her. She will need your support and reassurance that I will help her through this."

"And her fear of me?"

"Is gone," he stated and saw Brennan sigh in relief. "She will remember being afraid and everything that she did at that time but she will not be afraid of you now. She will remember my presence in her mind as I helped her to bring truth out and banish falsehood. It is time she awoke. I would like you to stand there and wait." Charles indicated a spot behind the sofa Shalimar was laying on. Preferring to take the side of caution he wanted to avoid any chance of incident. Charles guided his chair to a place by her side and caringly brushed the hair from her face. "Come, My Child. It is time to wake. Many have waited and are anxious to see you." He smiled as Shalimar blinked her eyes open and looked up at him.

"Professor," she whispered.

"Yes, Child. You are safe now. How are you feeling?"

Slowly she sat up and faced him, "I'm fine. I…" Now she really was fine. Her senses took only this long to kick in and she knew he was there. "Brennan…" she turned quickly and saw him step out of the shadows and closer to her.

"Hhhi," he choked out. He only had a moment to brace himself as she came flying off the sofa and into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her waist and easily held her securely against him as she began to cry.

"I'm so sorry…" she sobbed against his neck, her arms locked firmly around his shoulders. "I'm so sorry…I was so scared…"

"Baby…oh, Baby…no…shh…" he shifted and held her waist with one arm and move his other hand into her hair, caressing her as he spoke. "Oh, Shal…you have nothing to be sorry about."

"But the way I treated you…I couldn't help it…"

"Shh, I know…I know…but it's all over now…I've got you…I'm here now and you're with me." He soothed with tears in his own eyes as she continued to cry on his shoulder. "Shh, it's ok. I promise…everything will be ok. The professor helped to straighten everything out, didn't he?" He felt her nod as he heard her sobs quiet. "I'll take you home and we'll rest for a while. Everything will be better after that. Come on…don't cry now…"

Shalimar sniffed as she lifted her head from his shoulder. She looked into his tear filled eyes and slowly and gently kissed his lips. She needed to connect with him. When she felt his breath stop and heard his heart beat faster she knew he needed it too.

Brennan felt the world stop when, after everything that happened and the rollercoaster of emotions he had lived through for the past couple of days, he finally felt her lips on his. The release of all the pent up chaos of emotions brought him to his knees. He crumpled to the floor cradling her and kissed her deeply, not wanting to let it end. Lost in each other's embrace they never heard Charles leave the office.

Only when he felt sure she wasn't going to run from him, he slowly broke the long kiss. He held her close as they knelt on the floor, her head held over his heart, his head down on hers, both with their eyes closed to keep out the rest of the world for just a few seconds more. Finally he took a deep breath; his chest expanding beneath her. "Baby, I wish we were home now. I don't want to move but…everyone else is anxious to see you. They were all worried." He felt her nod, then rose and helped her to her feet. He held her head in his hands as he lifted her face to look into her eyes. It didn't take long to see the fear was truly gone. "Thank God, you're ok…" he kissed her gently then whispered, "I love you." Her only response, a quick kiss and arms securely wrapped around his. Together they walked out and down the hall to the library.

TBC