"What have you found out?" Shalimar said impatiently as she walked over to Jesse on the computer.
"Not much. She was recently released from the mental institution because of improvement and good behaviour."
"Oh yeah, she was definitely improved. What else?"
"She's had regularly visits from her brother, the problem is, she doesn't have a brother."
"Do we know who he is?"
"Not yet. The name he signed with was false, but there should be cameras in a place like that. It will take me some time to find it though. How did you say she knew Emma again?"
"She's just an old friend who suddenly turned into a maniac."
"How is Emma doing anyway? She didn't look too good last time I saw her."
"Well, she's not doing so hot right now. Their encounter kinda freaked her out. I should probably get back to her before she wakes up. Tell me when you find out who the guy is okay?"
"Sure thing, Shal."
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Emma woke up to an empty bed and when she looked around she couldn't see the feral or hear her in the bathroom. She was about to get out of the bed when the door to her room opened and Shalimar snuck in. She didn't see that Emma was awake because she stood with her back against her as she tried to close the door without making any sounds.
Emma smiled. "What's up with the sneaking?"
Shalimar quickly turned around. "I thought you were still asleep, that's why." She gave Emma an innocent, bright smile.
"I just woke up and wondered why the bed was empty. It was getting cold without you." She gave Shalimar a naughty smile along with the playful tone she had talked in.
"Well, I can come back in and warm you now, if you want?" Shalimar said in the same playful voice.
"Yes please."
Shalimar removed her pants and top and quickly climbed under the covers pulling Emma towards her so Emma's back was pressing against her front, her arms around her waist and her face snuggling against Emma's neck.
When Emma felt Shalimar's warm breath in her neck, it sent chills down her spine and her heart started beating faster. She instinctively closed her eyes at the lovely contact and felt her whole body relax into the ferals hold.
"Are you gonna be okay?"
"I'll manage."
"Jesse's looking into it, trying to find out everything he can. I'll make sure she doesn't bother you again."
"I know. She just brings back uncomfortable memories I guess."
They were interrupted by Jesse over the com-link.
"Hey Shal, you should get over here. I've found something that can be interesting."
"I'll be there in a sec."
Shalimar got up and hurried to get dressed again. Emma got up too.
"I'll take a shower."
"Okay." Shalimar quickly walked out.
----------
Okay Jesse, tell me what you got."
I ran the "brothers" face through the database and it turns out he's a mutant who apparently works for Eckhart. He has the ability to clone things or humans."
"Well, what was he doing there? And why?"
"I don't know, but I did get an address though."
"Good, I'll pay him a visit."
"Maybe we should all go since he's a mutant?"
"It'll go faster if I do it alone."
"Come on Shal, just for safety."
She sighed. "Fine."
"And we should wait until tonight because then we'll be sure he's home."
"We should do it now." She said irritated.
"No one is home in the middle of a working day, we'll go tonight."
"Okay."
----------
It was evening and Adam had gathered everyone to talk about what was going to happen. Or more to try to get information about Emma's past with this woman and make sure everybody understood that the mission was to get this man back so they could question him. Emma and Shalimar refused to say anything of importance to Adam and after a while he gave up.
"Emma can I talk to you for a minute," Adam said defeated.
"Sure." Emma turned to the others. "Don't leave without me."
Adam took Emma out of hearing distance from the others.
"Listen, I've been meaning to talk to you about Shalimar for a while."
"What about her?" Emma looked concerned at Adam.
"I don't know if you've noticed, but she's been more protective of you lately and she gets angry if anyone says something bad about you."
"She's concerned, it's normal of friends to do that. Shalimar just wants to make sure I'm okay."
"Yes, but-"
"Look Adam, I assure you it's fine. I should go so we can leave."
Emma walked of before Adam could say anything further.
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"You sure this is the address?" Shalimar said in disbelief.
"Positive," Jesse answered.
"Who lives in a big warehouse?"
"Obviously he does. He owns this place and it's addressed as where he lives."
"Fine, I guess we should split up because this place is huge. I'll take Emma and you'll take Brennan okay?"
"Sure."
----
"You know a place like this actually wouldn't be so bad for me."
"I bet. Lot's of space where you could sneak around and do whatever you wanted."
"Yep."
Emma stopped dead in her tracks.
"What is it?" Shalimar asked concerned.
"She's here."
"Where? I can't sense anyone."
"I don't know. She's just here, somewhere."
Shalimar's eyes flashed yellow.
"I really can't see or smell anything. Are you sure?"
Are you saying you don't trust my powers?" Emma said hurt.
"No, I-"
"That's exactly what you said."
"No, that's not what I said at all."
"Hello there!" Both women looked to their side.
"I had a feeling you guys would show up. Lovers quarrel?" Jodi walked up beside them.
"I'm not her girlfriend okay?" Shalimar said quickly.
"If you say so."
"Actually, on second thought, I am. So back off and stay away from her."
"I'm afraid I can't do that. Emma belongs to me, don't you Emma?"
"No she doesn't. She doesn't belong to anyone, so just step down before I kick your ass."
"Please do. This time we won't be bothered and when I'm done with you, Emma comes with me."
"In your dreams."
Shalimar threw a punch that hit Jodi across her face. Jodi just laughed and released a punch, but Shalimar caught her hand and punched her in the stomach, sending Jodi flying a few metres backwards. Again Jodi laughed and Shalimar started to get really annoyed. The feral walked towards Jodi, but stopped mid-way Because Jodi split into three.
"What the-"
"Hmm, I wonder who the real me is?" Jodi said as she laughed again.
Shalimar half turned towards Emma.
"I didn't know she had any powers."
"Well, she didn't have them before," Emma answered, panicking.
Shalimar turned fully back to Jodi and all three Jodi's eyes flashed yellow.
"And she has several powers."
Two Jodi's attacked Shalimar while the last turned towards Emma.
"Finally, just you and me." Jodi walked closer while Emma backed away.
"What do you want Jodi?"
"I just want us to be together again. I've changed and I want a chance to prove it."
Emma frantically looked around herself and saw that she was being backed against a wall.
"I've changed too Jodi, but I don't like you anymore. I've moved on and I have a new life." Emma felt her back come in contact with the wall.
"Don't say that Emma. You and I have always belonged together."
"You need to move on."
Emma sent a beam at Jodie, which she ducked and then she ran over, taking a firm grip on Emma's bare wrist.
"Jodi, let go."
"You shouldn't have done that." Jodie said angry and looked deeply at Emma's face. Suddenly the psionic was overwhelmed by a fear so strong that she literally couldn't move.
Meanwhile
The two Jodi's threw punches and kicks that Shalimar had to concentrate on to avoid being hit. She noticed the one Jodi walking after Emma and quickly figured that was the real one. She released a kick that sent one of the copies flying backwards and took the other copy in a headlock before easily snapping its neck. The copy fell to the ground and disappeared. The remaining copy attacked her, but the feral blocked it and punched it, continuing with a hard kick to its head, knocking the copy out. The second copy disappeared too.
Immediately Shalimar ran towards Emma and Jodi.
"Hey, get the hell away from her." Shalimar said angrily.
Jodi sent a psi-blast that Shalimar avoided and before Jodi had time to do something else Shalimar jumped at her, kicking Jodi and sending her flying into the wall. When she fell to the ground she didn't move.
Shalimar ran over to Emma and embraced her in a tight hug. It was first now that Emma started to cry and shake uncontrollably.
"It's gonna be okay Emma, I won't let anything happen to you. It's gonna be alright, I promise."
Emma just hugged the blonde harder and refused to let go, not able to stop crying.
Shalimar slowly got up, forcing Emma to do the same because of their position, and picked her up, carrying her away while whispering soothing words to her.
----------
"Jesus Shalimar, what happened? Are you guys okay?" Brennan and Jesse came running as they saw them.
"We're gonna be okay, just get us home."
Brennan and Jesse looked confused at Emma who was still crying with her face buried in the ferals neck.
"Hey, there's nothing to see. Go to the Helix and we'll be there in a sec."
The boys hurried away when they heard Shalimar's aggressiveness.
Shalimar sighed and carefully let go of Emma.
"This is really embarrassing," Emma whispered in the ferals ear.
"Because of the guys? Don't worry about them." Shalimar whispered back.
"It's not just that. I let her use my own powers against me and I just broke down."
Shalimar smiled to herself. "No one is perfect and this hasn't been an easy time for you."
Emma let out a weak laugh and finally let go of the blonde. She desperately tried to dry her tear strained eyes.
"How do I look?" She said sarcastically.
Shalimar looked her deep in the eyes and smiled.
"You look beautiful.
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