Title: Lover's Betrayal

Summary: The Sequel to 'Losing You.' Things are finally looking up for Brennan and Shalimar, then something happens that will change everything. Will Shalimar ever trust him again? And will her feelings of hurt and betrayal ever fade enough to let him back in?

"Will you marry me?" He stared straight into her eyes.

She stared at him, wide eyed, mouth slightly open in surprise. Her mouth gaped uselessly as she sought for words. He looked up at her in clear apprehension and nervousness. Her eyes shone with love and awe and, to be quite honest, fear. She didn't know if she was ready for this, a commitment so deep and complete that would bind her to this one man, this one love, for all time. But she knew in her heart that if she was going to risk such a commitment she would risk it with no one else but the man kneeling before her now. This man she loved with every fiber of her being. The man who would risk life and limb to keep her safe and vice versa. She wanted to be with him. Wanted to love him forever.

"Shal?" He said questioningly, waving his hand almost comically in front of her staring eyes. She couldn't help it; she laughed and threw herself into his surprised arms, catching him off guard as they toppled to the ground in a heap of giggles and kisses. She pressed her lips firmly against his, kissing him deeply, passionately, trying to communicate all of her feelings into that one single display of unbridled emotion.

When they broke apart reluctantly, several moments later, Brennan quirked an eyebrow at her expectantly, "Is that a yes?" He asked, nervousness again flashing across his dark features. She giggled and kissed him again, a light, loving brush of her lips against his. She nodded vigorously. "Yes?" He asked, hardly daring to believe it.

"Yes!" She exclaimed with a joyous giggle and squealed when he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. He slipped the ring onto her finger and smiled as her eyes shone.

"God, I love you," he murmured against her hair, kissing the top of her head gently. She sighed and wrapped her arms around his back and lay with her head on his chest.

"I love you too." She breathed, kissing his neck softly. He stroked her hair with gentle fingers, caressing her back and neck lovingly. She suddenly perked up and looked deep into his smiling eyes. "Wait 'til we tell Lexa and Jesse!" She exclaimed, rolling off of his and allowing him to pull her to her to her feet. They ran off down to the Helix, Shalimar giggling as Brennan chased her, gently pinching her affectionately. She squealed when he scooped her up into his arms and kissed her.

Jesse looked up with a smile when he heard the swish of the bay doors opening and a giggle as Shalimar and Brennan stepped into the hall. Then he raised an eyebrow at them when they came into view. Something was different about them, but not we just made love different, a happy, mysterious, we're about to tell them something amazing kind of secretive different. "Okay, what's up?" He asked, quirking an eyebrow impatiently.

"Patience, dude, hang on." Brennan laughed, patting his heartily on the back. "Hey Lexa, get in here!" Brennan yelled, laughing as she came skidding into the room, looking around wildly for any sign of danger.

"What is it? What's wrong?" She looked at Shal and Brennan's grinning face and secretive glances and raised an eyebrow, glancing at Jesse, who shrugged. "Okay, what's different about you two?" She asked. Shalimar giggled and leaned over, whispering into Brennan's ear, who grinned widely. He nodded and she smiled and took her hand from where she had hidden it behind her back. Lexa and Jesse gasped.

"Oh my God!" Lexa exclaimed, hugging Shalimar happily, then Brennan. "You asked her!?" He nodded. "He asked you!" She squealed excitedly. Shalimar nodded with a wide smile. Jesse pulled Shalimar into a tight hug.

"Congratulations!" He said to them both as he turned and embraced Brennan, a wide grin spreading across his face. "I'm so happy for you." He punched Brennan in the stomach. "You didn't tell me you jerk!" Brennan's breath came out in a wheeze as the air was knocked from his lungs, but he laughed.

"Sorry man, but I didn't want anything to ruin the surprise." Jesse glared without conviction before embracing him again and slapping his back gently, laughing.

"Holy shit, look at that rock!" Lexa said gleefully, catching Shalimar's hand in her own and examining her ring.

"Isn't it amazing," Shalimar smiled affectionately at Brennan. "He's got good taste," she remarked appreciatively, wrapping her arms around his waist, smiling as his arms slid around her shoulders. This was it. This was the reason she had agreed. She had never felt so safe and so carefree and happy in anyone else's arms as she did in Brennan's. She knew that she never would. She knew in her heart that marrying him would make her complete and nothing could take that away from her. Or so she thought...

TO BE CONTINUED...

A/N: Sorry teh first chap has been such a long time coming. I've been busy.