Just one little point, if Brennan had confessed his love for Shalimar then there wouldn't have been much of a point. The way I see it, he's in love but doesn't want to be.

PS. In case anyone is confused, the 1st part takes place a little earlier ;) Enjoy.

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Emma watched Brennan virtually run out of the kitchen. She knew that she should be angry with him - she should be hurt his attitude but she couldn't bring herself to do that. All she knew was that she didn't like to see him in pain - and he was in pain. She could feel it, even now when he was not in the room. She felt it when Jesse held her and she felt it when Edward stroked her shoulders.

She didn't understand why Brennan was so hurt and angry but she knew that it was somehow her fault. The intensity of his feelings frightened her, in some respects they were more frightening then her own. She could understand where her anger and hurt came from but despite her empathy, she couldn't figure out his - she couldn't work him out.

She shook her head. *~ So much for my 'powers'. I can't even understand the man I love."

*~ Maybe you're too close to see him objectively. ~*

*~Edward, how can you be too close to someone? Anyway, isn't that a good thing when you are in love. ~*

*~ Being in love doesn't mean being oblivious as well. It shouldn't blind you to realities of life. ~*

*~ So you're telling me love shouldn't be blind? That's a first. ~*

Edward smiled, *~ Being in love makes you more aware of the person you love, but don't let it overwhelm you. Don't let Brennan's anger infect you, try to understand it and then help him with it. ~*

*~How?! It's sometimes difficult enough unravelling his thoughts from mine. How can I analyse them when I can't even separate them. ~*

*~ If you try to classify and compartmentalize them then you have already lost the battle. ~* Edward silenced Emma's protest and continued.

*~ I said that you shouldn't be overwhelmed. That mean's accepting and swimming with the tide. Let him into your mind. Bind him as closely as you would yourself. The more you hold back the harder it will be. ~*

*~ I don't know whether I can do that. It's not fair on him; I can't pull him closer when he doesn't want it. He has his own life and . . . he does not love me. ~*

*~ Are you so sure about that? ~*

Emma's head jerked up to look at Edward, her eyes widening.

*~Yes. ~* Emma's voice was sad and defeated as she continued *~ Yes, he doesn't love me. At least, . . .. not the way I love him. Not the way I yearn for him to love me. ~*

Edward was not so sure about that, but he didn't say anything. She was obviously not ready to deal with Brennan's emotions as well as hers. It was frightening enough to realise that you loved someone, but it was infinitely worse realising they loved you back - then you had something to lose.

Despite all she said, Edward knew that Emma was finding it hard enough to fully accept that she loved Brennan. It was not a pleasant experience knowing that someone has managed to change you utterly - changed you so much that you started to take a backseat to him. Not necessarily an unpleasant experience - but one that left you vulnerable. He knew Emma well enough to know that she didn't like being vulnerable. But eventually she would have a make a decision, was Brennan more important or her fears? Edward was pretty confident which one she would choose. It was only a matter of time.

*~ As you wish Emma. But I will say something . . . it is rare that a bond, such as yours with Brennan, is one-sided. Think about it. Think about why it is so easy for you to hurt him. Think about why it is so easy for him to read you. Think about it darling. ~*

*~ I . . . he . . . he can't. ~*

*~As you wish darling. But at the very least, you could try to understand. He is your friend even if you won't let him be your lover. ~*

*~Lover? Let him? Hardly. ~*

*~ You've come so far. You've admitted that you love him. You've overcome your fear of loving him. Now don't let your fear of being loved hold you back. Love him and let him love you back - as a friend if need be. ~*

Edward leaned in to kiss Emma on the cheek.

*~ Go to him. He needs you. ~*

Emma nodded. Edward was right; Brennan needed her right now. She would be his friend; she would learn to be satisfied with that.

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Brennan almost leaped out of Shalimar's arms. For some reason he felt very guilty. Not that Emma had said anything but the way her eyes had widened for a second had made him feel like he had done something wrong.

"I . . . I came to see if you were okay."

"You did? I mean . . . yeah I am fine." Brennan smiled; she still cared for him despite all that he had done.

"I can see that." Emma sounded a little cold even to herself. She inwardly winced at her tone of voice. This was not going well.

"I . . . I think I should go now. You seem to be busy." Emma turned around to leave.

"NO. Please, stay. You're not interrupting anything." Brennan had to consciously restraint himself from begging. He couldn't let Emma leave like this, something was wrong and he wanted to help.

Shalimar watched as Emma and Brennan stared at each other. Well, Brennan stared at Emma; she was doing all she could to avoid his eyes - everything, except leave. It was as if something was physically holding her to that spot.

Shalimar thought it was probably the way Brennan was looking at her. *~ Does he realise how desperately he looks at her? Does he understand the longing that floods his face when he looks at her? . . . Does he know that he is . . . IN LOVE? ~*

Shalimar took a deep breath, which went unnoticed by the other two. Everything made sense to her now. Brennan was in love with Emma; his 'anger' was not anger at all but jealously. Shalimar shook his head, how could she have not realised it sooner. Brennan was jealous of Edward; even Jesse, if the morning was any indication. *~ Hell, he would probably ripped Jesse apart if he hadn't moved away from Emma.. ~*

"I . . . think I should leave." Emma repeated, not trusting herself to look at Brennan as she said that. She should never have come. *~ How could I have been so stupid?! I was right after all. Brennan does not need me. He has Shalimar. Edward was wrong, so wrong. ~* Emma swallowed; loving Brennan and wanting the best for him didn't make it any easier seeing him in another woman's arms. *~ Why didn't Edward tell me that? ~*

Brennan started to say something, anything to make her stay. Before he could a word out Emma continued, "I really should leave. I don't have much time to get ready. You guys are still coming. It's going to be so much fun. I can't wait for tonight. This is going to be a night to remember."

Shalimar watched in amazement as Emma continued to babble. Behind that cheerful voice was such sadness; Shalimar wondered why she hadn't noticed it before? *~ She does love him. I wonder if she realises it or is she as blind as Brennan? ~*

Emma stopped for a second to look at Shalimar. *~Yes, she knows that she is in love with him? But . . . ~*

"So are you guys coming?" Emma continued, finally looking at Brennan. "You really should let Shalimar get ready. You will have her to yourself all of tonight anyway, a few minutes apart won't kill you."

Shalimar cringed at Emma's smile; the younger woman was trying so hard to be appearing that her pain was all the more apparent. *~No, she doesn't know that Brennan is in love with her as well. GOD, both of them are so blind. ~*

Emma tried to leave once again. "I . . . I am going now. I have to get ready. Edward will be waiting. Don't want to keep him waiting." With that, she fled from the room.

Shalimar watched Brennan's face, fascinated as a myriad of emotions flitted across. There was longing and pain, and even anger. Emma probably shouldn't have mentioned Edward. Underlying everything else was love - despite all of Brennan's protestations to the contrary, he could keep the love out of his face.

Shalimar watched Brennan. *~ I wonder why he hasn't killed Edward as yet. ~* She watched his fists unclench and then clench again. *~He might do that anyway soon enough. ~*

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