This begins shortly after "Shadows of Darkness" ends.

After returning from the hospital Brennan headed to Shalimar's room. Sensing his approach she looked up as he entered.

"Have a seat. How's your friend?"

Brennan sat in the chair facing her before answering. "Recovering. I think he's going to be fine."

Shalimar easily read the relief in his eyes and in his voice. "I'm glad. He means a lot to you doesn't he?"

Realizing that he'd never gotten to explain it to her he decided it was as good a time as any. "Yeah. He was the first one I willingly told about my powers. The first person, since my dad died, to care about me and try to help me. I wish you could have had someone like him, instead of what happened to you."

His genuine affection for the man was easy to hear in his tone, and Shalimar knew him far to well to miss it.

After a moment of comfortable silence Brennan spoke again. "You know we never got to have that talk we were going to, before. . . everything happened."

The feral gave him a confused look. "When I said we'd talk later. About Adam and your dad and what happened to you."

He saw the confusion leave her face as she remembered his remark. She nodded.

"Are you still mad at Adam?" Brennan prompted.

Shalimar thought for a few moments before answering. Brennan was wise enough to give her the time to collect her thoughts with out pushing. "Not as much. This whole thing with the hospital reminded me what a mess I was when he found me. How much he helped me- - - and I didn't make it easy for him at first," Shalimar finished in a wry tone.

"What about your dad? Have you heard from him lately?" Brennan asked, genuinely curious. He knew that if things with Shalimar continued the way he wanted them to Nicolas would one day be his father in law.

"Yeah. I got a message. He's doing OK. Things aren't perfect, but at least we're talking. It's good for the moment," she concluded, with a slight smile.

"You know, you were really brave to go to that hospital at all after what you went through. . ." Brennan's voice trailed off as he shook his head slightly. He was still shocked at what she had been forced to endure.

"Yeah, well. I didn't have much choice. I couldn't ask Sandy to face it if I wasn't willing to. How was working with Lexa?"Shalimar asked, wanting to change the subject, and learn Brennan's feelings toward the other woman.

Brennan heard the jealous note in Shalimar's voice and was pleased by it. "Not bad this time. Her ability to disappear, and make others disappear, can be very useful."

"True enough," Shalimar had to admit, remembering the incident at the casino.

"And, she saved my life."

"WHAT?!?" Shalimar "asked", suddenly worried, and wanting to know what had happened.

"One of the guys illusions almost had me taking a fall down an empty elevator shaft. Lexa stopped me," he explained, trying to down play it. He definitely didn't want to mention the "woman's" offer of kiss. He been flirting with her in an attempt to ensure she'd give him the access and information he needed, but didn't think Shalimar really needed to hear that.

"Then I guess we all owe her one," the feral reluctantly agreed.

They were quiet for a few minutes and Shalimar took the time to really take in Brennan's appearance. He was much more dressed up than usual, and she thought it looked good. The blue dress shirt she was particularly fond of. The contrast seemed to make his brown eyes look even darker and more intense.

After a while Brennan broke the silence. "You should come with me and meet Dr. Palance sometime."

Sensing how much the man meant to Brennan she was flattered. "I'd like that."

There conversation was interrupted by the appearance of Jesse. "It's about time for dinner. You two coming?"

"Yeah, Jess," replied Shalimar.

Brennan stood up and held a hand out to Shalimar. Smiling, she took it and stood up. "To be continued?"

Brennan gave a slight shrug as they followed Jesse to the kitchen.

A/N: OK, it's up to you guys whether this will be continued or not. I'm thinking I might turn it into a series of conversations that take place after the episodes. Or I could just have the next chapter be when Shal goes to see Dr. Palance and he tells her a bit about the younger Brennan. Please let me know what you guys think. . . .