Please read these Author's notes as they are intended to help make the story and timeline more understandable. I am not and have not changed anything from the original Mutant X verse. It all stands as is. Everything that happened happened so nothing's been altered.
Relation to other stories: This is a prequel to "Never Gone."
Warnings: Like a skunk has stink this story's got slash, people.
Disclaimer: Ok so I don't own the characters but I own this lil song and dance (aka story) they're doin'.
Into The Melancholy Night
"Hey, Shal, you look energized," Brennan complimented as a jump feral jogged past him in the hall a tight butt catching his attention as it wiggled by in her black workout pants. Was there ever a time she didn't look energized? Or gorgeous for that matter? He surely couldn't think of any.
"Thought I'd get a morning workout out in," she responded turning to look at him and being sure to keep herself moving as she answered.
"Want some company," he asked lifting an arm and taking a step towards her in hopes or gaining an invitation.
"I already got plans, Bren. Maybe next time."
Winking before she turned Shalimar eagerly jogged down the hall towards the dojo anticipating her routine more than ever. Not just for the exercise but also for her partner already waiting for her. Always waiting. Always willing to help her, assist her, spend time with her, adore her, compliment her, and maybe even love her.
The all smiles feral jogged herself into the empty dojo looking around for the object of her thoughts. She was usually always on time especially when Shalimar told her she wanted to train in the mornings. She placed her water bottle on the side of the mat and looked around for her partner.
"Hey," Emma greeted at the sight of blonde hair as the back of a head was facing her.
The sound of her voice alone was enough to brighten up the feral's morning and she had thought nothing could top it. That was until she turned around of course.
Emma slowly walked towards the feral who mimicked her actions keeping the same tempo as she moved closer to the woman by the moment until she stood face to face with her. The woman she called friend, even best friend. With whom there were supposed to be no secrets but from whom she might have kept the most. Unwillingly, mind you, but she still kept them. Safe and locked away as far down in her heart as she could stuff them, chained in a little box out of reach of the psionic until one day she might feel secure enough to share it's contents with the woman. One day. But today they were screaming for release.
"You feeling good?" Emma asked already plastering her "I mean business" look across her angelic face. Feminine arms folded to match her stance and Emma continued to grin at the eager feral always admiring how much she loved to train or even spend time with her. It was soothing, a relief, and she didn't mind one bit being the feral's aspirin anytime she needed it.
"Oh I'm ready, baby," the feisty feral assured jumping in her place to prove the point. "Let's go."
Jogging around her partner Shalimar kept close watch on the psionic who moved better than she'd remembered she could. Brown eyes remained fixated on the target before her and it wasn't nearly a bad sight as all. Emma was looking more than a little fetching in her light blue exercise pants and matching sports bra and Shalimar was sure she wouldn't have kept such a close eye on her if she was someone else. Well, sort of sure anyway.
A punch was thrown at the feral who found it a little harder than usual to dodge but just making the movement she was quick to react with one of her own. She didn't remember Emma being that fast either because almost as soon as her arm was in position the psionic had relocated herself urging Shalimar to follow in her footsteps in hopes of keeping up.
"What's wrong?" Emma asked an almost evil grin tattooed on her face. "The feral having a little trouble?"
"I don't think so," was Shalimar's comeback along with a quick reach to the red head's neck allowing her to grab the woman and pull her into a dominating hold. "What's wrong?" Shalimar asked grinning at the half side of the face she could see at her angle. "Havin' a lil' trouble?"
"Ok, ok," Emma laughed. "I'm sorry about that. I'll play fair from now on."
The response was enough to allow the feral to loosen up on her tight grasp and release the woman.
Standing back up Emma brushed her hands through her hair straightening out what Shalimar managed to displace in all of five seconds.
"Well, I'll say one thing for you," Emma began. "You haven't lost your reflexes. That's one thing I think sh-"
"How about we go again huh?" the feral interrupted positioning herself once more.
Smiling, Emma looked up knowing she couldn't very well turn down an opportunity like that especially if it was Shalimar's wishes.
"Hey, Bren, have you see Shal I wanna talk to her about a new program I designed?" Jesse asked as the man entered the hallway seeing Jesse sitting at his favorite computer no doubt heavy into research.
"Yeah she was heading for a workout last I saw her," Brennan answered leaning his arm on the wall beside the blonde man.
"Hmm. Hey, Shal," Jesse called hoping she'd be able to hear over whatever type of strenuous activity she was no doubt immersed into at the moment. "Shal, can you hear me?"
"What is it, Jess?" the feral asked not letting her guard down as she continued sparing with the red head.
"Can you come to living room I wanna talk to you about something?"
"Can it wait I'm training?" she questioned not wanting to leave the sight of the woman before her who seemed to light up the room herself. Looking into her eyes as they spared she knew it was all the psionic's doing. The hell with lamps.
"It's kinda important," he responded.
Sighing, Shalimar gave the motion to stop and allowed herself to catch her breath for a second bracing her hands on her knees as she bent over slightly.
"Alright," she responded the knowledge she'd never let a friend down ringing loudly in her heart. "I'll be there in a few."
Turing to Emma, Shalimar tried to hide her sad eyes. Tried not to show all she was feeling not wanting to offend the woman.
"I gotta go," she informed standing herself back up again. "But I'll be back later. We'll finish this."
"It was a good workout, Shal," Emma informed reaching out to place a hand on the blonde's shoulder, some hair draped over the exposed skin she found there.
Shalimar's eyes instantly closed allowing herself to reveal in only the touch of the woman. She allowed the warmth, the love, the pure heat and essence of the red head to nearly fill her at the moment before brown eyes opened back up to stare into empty blue crystals.
"Thanks," she finally responded suddenly feeling better about leaving after her brief yet powerful connection.
Shalimar smiled once more before bending over to pick up her bottle and walking slowly across the floor.
"Shal," Emma said when the feral had reached only a few steps past her.
Shalimar turned to face the red head as she spoke unsure but curious if she actually spotted sadness in those eyes looking back at her.
"I just wanna say I know," Emma's broad statement came as a shock to the blonde who furled her brow at the remark in question.
"What?"
What could she possibly know? Shalimar asked herself, curiosity getting the best of her.
"I know what you think when you look at me."
The statement was followed by immediate silence. Shalimar could feel herself tense up at the words not just for the slight workout she was sure but for the awkwardness of the moment.
"I know you wish I-"
"Hey, Shal!" Brennan's voice interrupted their conversation and each turned their eyes to the hall where he was approaching.
"I gotta go," Shalimar informed sadly turning to head towards the door.
Meeting her half way was Brennan, oblivious look on his face and all.
"What's going on?" he asked sensing he'd just missed something important.
"Just training. Same as always," she lied continuing on her way down the hall as the man followed grinning like a fool.
"So what were you talking about?" he asked raising an eye to her as if he knew he was being left out of some important loop at the moment.
Shalimar looked over her shoulder to flash him the same look before turning back as she reached Jesse at his computer.
"Hey, Shal," Jesse greeted. "How was training?"
The feral had a different look for him at the question one letting him know she didn't feel like talking about it at the moment and quickly getting the hint the molecular changed the topic.
"Uh, Shal, can I talk to you?" he asked looking to Brennan briefly. "In private?"
"Alright, alright I know when I'm not wanted," Brennan said throwing his arms up. "I guess I'll go uh, train," he said leaning in to the feral slightly as he spoke the last word almost carrying a knowing tone in his voice. "See ya," was his exit as he left down the hall back towards the dojo.
"Does he know?" Shalimar asked suddenly feeling unsettled at the thought.
"No," Jesse reassured. "Your secret's safe with me."
