A/N: This will be the final chapter. I promised that I'd have Brennan and Shalimar admit they love each other in the last chapter, so hope you all like it. Thanks for all the reviews, and especially to those who have stayed with the story until the end.

Final Chapter

Once Bishop was out of sight Shalimar stepped back and looked around the room. A horrifying sense of deja vu began to take over. Acting more on instinct than thought Shalimar activated her COM ring.

In his Mustang on the way back to Sanctuary Brennan heard Shalimar's voice. "Brennan. Brennan, help me." Hearing the panicked edge to her voice he immediately pulled over. Not much could make the feral panic, so he knew it was bad. "I'm here, Shlaimar. Where are you? What's going on?"

"The hospital. Bishop . . . he locked me in. I'm trapped. Help me. I can't stay here. I can't."

"I'm on my way. Hold on. I'll be there in a few minutes." Brennan looked to make sure there were no cars then did a U turn and headed to the hospital. Under his breathe he swore he would make the b#%& pay for doing that to Shalimar.

"Hurry."

"Okay, Shal. Listen to me. I want you to sit down and shut your eyes. Don't look at the room. Just shut your eyes and listen to my voice."

Feeling calmer knowing that Brennan was on his way Shlaimar did as he asked. "Kay. I'm sitting down with my eyes closed."

"Good now just talk to me. Pretend like I'm right there in front of you."

For the next fifteen minutes as Brennan raced to the hospital they talked about everything and nothing. Shalimar didn't care what they talked about as long as she could hear Brennan's voice. It gave her the reassurance that she would not be left abandoned in the hospital as she had been as a child.

"I'm here Shal. Just let me get this door open."

The feral opened her eyes and stood. Within seconds the door was open and she ran into Brennan's waiting arms. He held her close for a few minutes, giving her his strength and support. The feral was glad for his solid warmth and didn't ever want to leave his arms. Brennan's heart ached for her and he hated that she'd had to go through being locked up, even if only for a little while. Once he sensed she was calmer he leaned back a bit. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."

He left one arm close around her and she leaned in against his side as they walked out of the hospital.

Brennan put the Mustang's convertible top down, sure that the feral would need open air. She relaxed back against the seat. "Let's go home," she requested.

The ride was made in silence. Once they were in Sanctuary Brennan walked with Shlaimar to her room. "I'll let you get some rest."

"Bren, I . . . I don't want to be alone right now. Will you stay a while?"

"Of course," he told her, sitting in one of her chairs. Shalimar surprised him when she sat down on his lap and curled against his chest.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?"

"For saving me from that place."

"You don't have to thank me for that," he said, kissing her hair. "You know, Riley said something to me."

"I'm sure she said a lot of things to you," Shalimar retorted, again feeling jealous of the woman.

"She said that your fingerprints were all over my heart. I didn't want to admit it to her, but she's right."

"Lexa said something like that to me. That I had feelings for you and needed to admit them to you. But I'd think of you with that woman . . ."

Brennan tilted her chin so that their eyes met. "And I was thinking of you. I'll admit that I was attracted to her. Mostly because she was so much like you. I mean, she was a blonde feral. If I couldn't have you, I thought maybe. . . . But that wouldn't have been fair to her. She deserves better than second place. And that's all any other woman would ever be. Second place to you."

"I never told you this, but Burstyn. . . . he wasn't killed in the explosion. Adam made up a hologram of him and that's what went into the explosion. Burstyn was safe with Adam. Anyway, he . . .he asked me to go with him. To leave this life and have a normal life with him. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't leave you."

"I'm glad," Brennan said against her lips before kissing her deeply.

After a few minutes the kisses ended. Shalimar again rested her head against his chest. "I love you, Brennan."

"I love you, Shalimar," he replied.

With the import things said they just stayed silently holding each other for a long time. Content just to be together.

A/N:

Fiery Feral: Hey, I'm with you, Stupid Lexa. . . LOL. Thanks for the reviews. I'm glad you liked the story.

Loveconquers: Thank you. Glad you liked the little plot twist, and the story.

Blackpanther: THANKS! I'll try and get the beach fic finished soon.

Bri: Thanks for the nice compliments. It's good to know you like the story.

Paris Byk: I'm very flattered. Thank you very much. It's nice ot know I have their relationship right.

Anne: Beach fic will be posted soon I hope. It will have lots of romance. Thanks for the wonderful review.