Updated comments:

I realized that when I was writing this that I didn't mention I had Michael Shanks (from Stargate SG-1) in mind for the character of Ian. So if your wondering that is who I loosely based Ian's character off of mostly for looks. Mira I kinda pictured Nicole de Boer (from The Dead Zone.) So if anyone is trying to get an idea of who I was thinking of, those are the people I had in mind.

I've finally gotten around to updating the chapters I hope they read better now. Sorry for the previous inconvenience!

Old Comments:

Okay! I've been done with this chapter for over a week now and my beta's have been mad busy with the holidays so I haven't had this beta'd yet. So needless to say, all the mistakes are mine and mine alone. I did try to make a nice long chapter to make up for not getting this out sooner though. I just really wanted to get this out before Christmas and felt horrible that I didn't. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Kai0707 - Sweetie you are so welcome! Email me, I actually had a story planned to write for you, but work got in the way. If you still want it I'll write it though!

Shal35 - Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy this one. There isn't as much action, but I tried to make up for that with some mush!

sbfangal - I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying. I have less OT work next month so I should be able to do some more writing. Yeah! Keep up the threats though. It keeps me motivated - LOL.

Griffbear - I really wanted some way to tie Emma in, and that was my opening. It didn't feel right to resurrect her, but I figured it was a cool scene to do. I tried to make her more like Emma of S1 because Emma of S2 started to bother me, she became way too whiny.

To everyone else who read the chapter - thank you. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you didn't... well we just won't go there.

The chapter title was just something that popped into my mind, thinking about cat's and their nine lives. The original title was going to be something more like 3 down 6 to go, but I figured that it wouldn't make much sense.

As I've said before I own nothing, so don't bother suing.

Okay, I guess I'll let you read the story now...

Chapter 21: Nine Lives

"I'm sure I'm fine! Can't I go?"

Mira smiled at Shalimar's attempts to be released from the scans and tests early. "Shalimar, you were in a comatose state for almost 36 hours. You need to humor me and let me make sure that you are alright."

"I promise not to overdo it," Shalimar pleaded.

"I heard all about the time you broke your foot, so I will have to say no. This is slightly more serious," Mira continued as she positioned the scanner to complete one of the last tests.

"Fine," Shalimar pouted, but held still so that the test didn't have to take any longer then necessary.

After another ten minutes of scanning and drawing two more vials of blood, Mira looked up at the impatient feral sitting on the bed looking at her with inquiring eyes. She had no doubt that if Shalimar was more able, she would be bouncing on the balls of her feet waiting for the word to leave. As it was now, she might need some aid just to make it to the living room.

The past few hours had been almost as hectic as being in the hospital, Mira mused while looking in the microscope and comparing her findings with previous ones. Shalimar had woken when Brennan shocked her back into a normal heart rhythm and that had just begun the crazy part of her morning.

Everyone had crowded around Shalimar when they had heard her voice. The elation and confusion was wild for the first few moments. Finally, Mira had chased everyone out so she could complete her tests and, with any luck, give Shalimar a clean bill of health… or as clean as she could with the bullet hole in her side.

Brennan, again, hadn't wanted to leave her side, but Shalimar had taken over the argument for her. Shalimar had softly murmured words in Brennan's ear and given him a soft and slow kiss. He hesitated but continued out the door when she told him she would be out soon.

That was almost two hours ago. She almost laughed at Shalimar's restlessness. It seemed that her healing abilities had not taken a break while she was unconscious. She was mending well. A scan of her abdominal section showed that the tissues were already beginning the healing process and a quick look over Shalimar's wounds showed that most of the minor ones where starting to heal as well. The dark spot on Shalimar's head had faded considerably, and she was exhibiting a full range of motor and memory function.

Shalimar felt like she had been trussed like a holiday turkey. She had a large bandage across her abdomen, several smaller ones on her arms, and two dressings covering the burn marks from the defibrillator. It hurt to breathe, but she was hell-bent on not letting anyone know about the four cracked ribs she sustained from the compressions that Lexa performed. They had helped to save her and she didn't want anyone to feel bad about that.

Finally, Mira looked at Shalimar when the last results were checked. "The tests look good. You're going to have to be careful for a few weeks, but so long as you don't strain anything, you should be 100 in a little over a month." Mira felt a smile cross her face as Shalimar grinned back.

"So that means I can go now?" Shalimar asked as she swung her legs over the side of the table too rapidly and winced as the pain took hold.

"Hold on for another minute," Mira said frowning at her as she headed to the door and called for Brennan to come in.

Brennan walked through the door with a grin across his face. It slacked slightly as he saw Shalimar holding tightly to her side. "What's wrong?" he asked, not quite sure of who to address.

"Nothing, just sore," Shalimar said trying to ignore the stabbing pain shooting through her side.

"It's not, nothing," Mira interrupted. "She is still healing and will wind up pulling out her stitches and start bleeding again if she keeps trying to move all over."

Shalimar shot her a withering look.

"You, young lady, need to take it easy. I can't emphasize that enough. I normally wouldn't let any of my patient's even try to move this soon, but since you are healing so well and have such a good support system, I'm only going to make sure you stay here a few more days." She looked to the brightened looks on both faces. "However, if I catch you overdoing it at all, I will make you stay longer!"

"Thank you so much," Brennan said the words that were a poor substitution to how much he felt he owed this woman.

"I'm going to need you to keep an eye on her and help her as much as you can," Mira said turning to Brennan. "You and the others will have a lot to do to help her, and don't let her fool you into doing more then she can. That's the worst way to cause the injury to worsen."

Brennan looked at Shalimar with a wry grin, "I don't think that will be a problem."

"You can help her out to the couch, but that's as far as she goes for now. I'll check on her again tonight, and over the next two days, I'll make sure she is healing properly. With her feral DNA, she should heal quicker then most humans, but I want to make sure that she doesn't develop any infections or sepsis. After that we can work out some way for me to monitor her progress," Mira said opening the door for Brennan as he helped Shalimar to her feet and supported her as she walked into the living room to be greeted by everyone else.

Brennan gingerly helped Shalimar to the sofa where Beau and Angel had gotten up to allow the other two to sit down, especially since the recliner end would be better for Shalimar to rest. She complained briefly about being reclined yet again, but the looks she received with her complaints immediately silenced her. Suddenly the whole room had seemed to fall silent as the four members of Mutant X, Beau and Angel looked at each other in curiosity and bewilderment as to what needed to be said.

Finally Jesse walked over to Shalimar and embraced her as hard as he dared without risking any further injury. "I'm so glad you're okay," he said softly into her ear as he pulled away.

She smiled softly back at him. "You should know it would take more than that to keep me down, Jess."

"You still scared me," he voiced softly as he sat on one side of her.

Brennan propped himself on the arm of the sofa at her other side and looked down. "She's going to make me old and gray way before my time!"

The tension had finally been cut and everyone else smiled and grinned. They were all alive. They had made it through the challenge battered and bruised, but they were still there to talk about it.

"Shal, you have your hands full with this one!" Angel said motioning toward Brennan. "We practically had to throw him in the shower. I'm surprised his smell alone didn't wake you up."

Everyone joined in the laughter and enjoyed the moment.

"Ouch, stop, don't make me laugh." Shalimar said gripping her side as the group laughed and agreed to the statements. Finally calming herself, she looked at all of the faces, and a thrill ran through her knowing that Jesse and Brennan were finally home. "So where do we start or have you filled them in on everything, Lex?"

Lexa looked up from her seat on the coffee table in front of Shalimar. "No, you had everyone too worried to concentrate on anything else." Lexa felt distant. She was trying to control her emotions. She had gotten way too close again and had felt her heart plummet to her feet just a few hours prior. She'd been pounding on Shalimar's chest and cursing her. Shalimar's wince at Jesse's touch and the grimace of pain when she attempted to laugh had served as vivid reminders. Now Shalimar was seated calmly in front of her as if it was still a few days ago in the safe house. She needed to get out for a while. "That can wait for now, Shal. Concentrate on getting out of here first and then we can worry about all of the other crap."

"I'm okay now if you want to talk about it." Shalimar looked into the Lexa's eyes and saw the distance that had come over the molecular once again.

Lexa decided that this would be a good opportunity to bail. "Did you want anything from the safe house? I was going to run back and pick up a few more changes of clothes. Ian wants us to stay here until you're well enough to move without too much injury to yourself."

Shalimar sighed in defeat and noticed the gazes of the others looking slightly confused at their conversation. It was so stilted and mechanical. "I could use some clothes, if you don't mind."

"Okay, I'll be back in a while. Angel… Beau, would you like anything?" Lexa asked, turning to them as she stood.

"The same please." Beau answered before turning his attention back to Shalimar.

Jesse stood to follow her and grimaced as the pain in his side radiated through his body. "I'll go with you, Lexa."

Lexa looked at his face and placed both of her hands on his shoulders pressing him back down into his seat. "You stay here!" she said pointedly. "You aren't in much better shape then Shalimar, and you need to heal up." She leaned in and gave him a lingering kiss on his cheek, whispering quietly in his ear. "I promise I'll be back soon."

"I'll go with you," Angel said following Lexa as she began to exit.

"Nah, I won't be gone for more then a few hours at most," Lexa said, trying to gain some alone time.

Angel softly grabbed Lexa's arm. "We still need to stick together, now even more then before." Angel's voice was firm. "We're still being hunted, Lexa. We can't take the risk of being caught alone."

Lexa began to argue, but the logic in Angel's statement made too much sense. They had just been reunited and a stupid move like this could land them back at where they were before. She didn't want to be separated again so soon. Lexa rolled her eyes in defiance, but murmured a soft 'okay' as she headed toward the door.

The remaining four watched as the two walked out of the room and through the front door before returning their attention to each other.

"So what's your injury list?" Shalimar said, gingerly reaching over and tugging up Jesse's shirt to see the bruising.

After a while of catching up on what had happened in the compound and comparing war wounds, Mira came into the living room from the lab and ordered Shalimar to lie down. Ian had joined them for a little while and told Shalimar that he had set up the futon in his den for her to sleep on. Shalimar was disgruntled, but did not fight with Brennan when he stood and lead her to the room.

Jesse was ordered to bed as well, and had been proud that he had made it up the stairs without aid. He had bitten his lip several times to ward off the yelp that wanted to free itself, but arrived in the bedroom and carefully laid out on the comforter enjoying the softness of the mattress and the blankets beneath him. He vowed to never again take those things for granted.

He lay on the bed looking up at the ceiling remembering waking up this morning. It had been so wonderful to wake up to Lexa's warm body and soft scent. He had almost forgotten how nice it was. His thoughts turned back to her demeanor before she left. He had seen the look in her eye. The one that said she was scared. She had always been afraid to be too close, but he guessed this morning was too much for her to process and she needed some time to sort things out. He was glad that Angel had gone with her.

The two had seemed to bond slightly. He had noticed it this morning while they were talking and waiting for Shalimar's evaluation to be finished. Angel had a fairly gentle way of approach and talked easily with Lexa. He was astonished at how much Lexa had opened up to these people in the short time that he and Brennan were gone.

Three months isn't that short of a time though.

The thought resounded in his head. Some days he had sworn they had been gone for almost a year. Other days he felt like it had been just yesterday that he and Brennan took off to answer the distress signal and help the new mutants trapped by the Dominion. The new mutants had been saved, though. He and Brennan had paid the price, but they had done their job and done it well.

His thoughts drifted and he sank into a deep sleep as the afternoon rolled on.

Brennan helped Shalimar to the futon and walked over to close the door before returning to her side.

"I'm fine, really," Shalimar said as she attempted to roll onto her side and was hit with a wave of nausea and pain. She stopped for several seconds breathing deeply and waiting for the feeling to pass before shifting back into her position on her back.

"I see that," Brennan said with a smirk. "You need some rest though. Can I get you something to drink or eat?"

Shalimar looked slightly embarrassed before asking, "Can I get a glass of milk or water maybe?"

Brennan faked looking put out. "Oh, alright," he smiled then stood and walked to the door and turned as he began to open it. "Don't you dare move anywhere!"

"Fine," Shalimar huffed, but honestly didn't think she had the energy to move any more then she already did.

Brennan returned shortly with a glass of milk in hand and Shalimar smiled up appreciatively at him. She took a few minutes to drain the glass but it staved off the nausea. When she finished she looked up at Brennan perched on the side of the bed with inquiring eyes.

"You know that this thing is big enough for two right?" she tried to kid as she scooted over slightly.

Brennan just looked at her with a slightly nonplussed expression.

"Bren? Are you feeling okay?" Shalimar tentatively reached her hand out and grasped his wrist.

He looked into her eyes and she saw the unshed tears that had built up, but knew that he would refuse to let them go. With his other hand he gently tucked a soft blond lock of hair behind her ear and held her face tenderly before nodding slightly and allowing her to tug him onto the futon with her.

"Shal?" his voice whispered hoarsely. "Please don't let this be another dream."

"It's not, Bren. I promise. I'm here and alive. You and Jesse are safe now," Shalimar answered, feeling the tears well up in her own voice as well.

He turned on his side to face her better and stroked the side of her face and hair gently as if afraid to cause her more injury. "I just can't believe that I'm finally here with you," he whispered softly, almost hesitantly. "God, I missed you." He pulled her into as close of an embrace as he could.

Shalimar felt the tears cascade down her cheeks as she tried to avoid aggravating her injury but still pulling Brennan as close as she possibly could. "I'm here… I'm not gonna let you go." Shalimar said between sobs.

"I'm so sorry…" Brennan's voice cracked slightly, his grip tightening slightly as their bodies pressed closely together.

Shalimar gasped slightly at the pain shooting through her side and Brennan moved to pull back only to have Shalimar tighten her grip to keep him from letting go. "Please don't let go yet," she pleaded softly. "Don't be sorry, Bren… I have you here and now, that's all that I care about."

He pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. "You are my life, Shal. I don't know what I would have done if I lost you."

His lips met hers in a delicate kiss. She felt them softly brush against hers as she returned it. Then her lips parted slightly to allow him better access as her tongue softly sought his. They stayed that way for long moments, and his hand came up to frame her face at some point and was tangling in her hair. Her free arm reached up and stroked his side. Finally they ended the kiss, breathing heavily against each other's face as they rested their foreheads against together.

"You need to get some sleep," Brennan panted softly.

"Yeah, because being asleep for almost two days means I should sleep some more," Shalimar said, stifling a yawn, but noticed the exhaustion written across Brennan's face. She reclined back onto the pillow and looked into his face. "I'll sleep but only if you join me," she compromised.

He let out a soft laugh and rested his head on the adjacent pillow. "I am a little tired, but if you need anything let me know."

"I will," she promised as she entangled their hands and cursed her wounds for not allowing her to be in more contact with him.

Soon the room was filled with Brennan's slow breathing and Shalimar could only look over at him while he slept and prayed that things got better from here… for a little while at least. With thoughts of them together again, she drifted off into a deep sleep.

So what'dya think? Let me know, pretty please?