ONCE INSIDE
Thank you for ALL the e-mails. I look forward to checking out your sites!
I just saw the episode THE TAKING OF CROWS, and I LOVED the new, edgier Jesse. I guess their making up for taking off Emma. Never the less, it was one of the best episodes in a long while.
Here's a new installment for you all. PLEASE KEEP THE EMAILS AND REVIEWS COMING!!! I will answer back.
DISCLAIMER: M-X, Don't own them. Enjoy!
"I almost died that day, myself." Jesse interrupted. He had watched the elemental voice the fear that was so long held in. His pale skin was finally returning to that dark, signature shade of his. The molecular sat on the edge of the table, running through the scene. "No matter how often it happens, there is no getting used to it."
"The thing IS," Brennen replied, pulling at a string on the table fabric. " Adam said that it only happens when the injury is something larger, or more severe than she's experienced before. Otherwise, her body just snaps back- like when she heals herself."
"That's because that 'shot' was meant for you."
The elemental looked at his teammate with new eyes. "I know."
Brennen didn't see Jordan when they returned to Sanctuary. Even though she was practically back to normal, Adam kept her in the lab for observations. Who could blame him? The connection in this group was more than that of work associates or friends. They seemed to be a genuine - but eclectic- family. The elemental couldn't find anything to do with himself that morning. There he was, both several hours (and a few grey hairs later), back in this place that so desperately called him. The place he so desperately wanted to leave.
It was the afternoon when Shalimar and Adam left the lab. Brennen had watched their comings and goings all day. From time to time, there was talk but his ears faltered in making the words. Nerves itched under the layers if his skin, wanting in some way to act. Finally, Adam came out speaking to Shalimar again. "She's finally sleeping,,,"
"Adam, she's fine."
"I know but I just want to make sure, at least for today. " The older man rubbed his forehead in fatigue. "I tell you, that Jordan knows how to try me."
"Come on, she did what she does. It's no different from Jesse massing to protect us."
"But this was different, Shalimar. That 'blast' was specially composed to take down Brennen. It was meant to take down someone of his size and with his capabilities. Jordan knew when she got in the way."
"But Adam," The feral replied low, her voice breaking no argument. " He brought her back. You should have seen it- it was incredible!"
"I don't doubt it." He replied with folding arms. Brennen stiffened in the shadows. "And I'm thankful that both of them are alright. Jordan's healing reservoir grows every time she survives something extreme."
"Just never get used to it?"
"Do you?" He asked rhetorically. Shalimar rubbed the man's arm, hating the stress on his heart. "Every time one of you walks out, I'm afraid you won't come back."
"Well, it's what we do. And I think Brennen would be a good addition to our team. You should have seen him, Adam. The man is amazing."
"Well, we offered him a chance and he said no,,,"
Shalimar leaned into her 'father'. "And you're a sucker for second chances. Jordan wouldn't have brought him here if she didn't see that. He would have gone directly into the underground."
"Well," Adam started, turning his head. "Where is Mr. Mulray? I want to check him out, make sure he's alright."
Shalimar looked slowly, her lips curling before the feral dressed her eyes. The electrical stiffened in his place. "He's around,,,I'll get him."
The woman waited before looking straight in Brennen's direction. "You always play hide-and-seek?"
"Only with pretty women."
The blonde grinned before folding her arms. "You heard the man, he wants you in the lab."
Brennen moved to follow her, his mind still on the morning's events. "Shal?"
"Yeah."
"Is Jordan okay, I mean really?"
Her curling lips were sexy in their danger. "Please! She's already fine. Adam's just over protective. Jordan is way stronger than given credit for. She could be beck on assignment now, but its Adam's nerves that need a rest."
"You guys do seem pretty close here,,,Must be nice."
"Could be for you, too." Those brown eyes met his in a flash of boldness. Brennen crossed his arms slowly. "You're welcome to join."
"What's in it for me?' he asked lacking any innocence.
Shalimar looked at the tall man, not knowing what to think of him. Her eyes narrowed in thought. "Whatever you can handle, playboy."
Brennen looked down at his hands, toying with an old ring on his finger. "Don't quite know what that is these days,,,"
"Brennen, what's left for you out there?"
He was silent.
"Nothing but ghosts. You keep trying to pull yourself up," her hand gently touched his shoulder. "Now you have someone to help you up - five people in particular. One is lying in there right now, racking up a scorecard you might not begin to even-but that's family. No I.O.U.'s, no planned paybacks, just support."
"And acceptance." He replied, his stomach followed in a low growl.
"And food. When was the last time you ate?"
"At the safe house."
The feral patted him on the back, before pulling away. "Go let Adam check you out, then come to the kitchen."
"Do you cook like Jordan?"
"Please."
"My real dilemma started then." The elemental hit a trick shot, smirking as he stood up. "I didn't know which way to go- Sanctuary or the world."
"You mean Shalimar or Jordan."
"I didn't know it at the time."
"Well," Jesse started as he sat on the couch. "They're two different women."
"Two different types of sexy." Brennen grinned.
Jesse sat back, smirking. "You always think with the wrong head?"
"Now you sound like Shalimar,,,"
The truth was that chasing women was the farthest thing from Brennen's mind. When he left the kitchen, he instinctively returned to the dojo and into thoughts of training. He pulled off his shirt and boots before entering the vast space. The room sat quiet, minus the humming of running waterfalls. He stretched slowly, closing his eyes in contemplation. Each execution represented a choice-Mutant X or the world. The tall man slid into a meditative form, pushing and pulling his limbs unhurriedly with each act. His massive form contradicted his possession of grace and agility. A long arm would reach to retract in symbolized motion then extend again. This repeated for what seemed like moments, before breaking into a fierce pace of martial arts. Each sliced the still air of the dojo, replacing the very action of his heart. A moment of slow stretches, then one of swift execution. It was the simplest inhale and exhale-n and out as naturally as it could be. Even his splits were extreme in strength, guiding his kicks and flying across the floor.
"I bet women pay to see that."
His concentration left, causing the dark eyes to see her standing by the stairs, dressed in a white tank and dangerously short khaki skirt. Her hair fell in faint waves around slender shoulders. Brennen shook off his last stretch before talking. "How long have you been there?"
"Not long." Jordan pulled off the rail looking brand new, something Jesse told him would happen every time she fully recovered her energy. Her skin glowed in that rich amber and those dark eyes sparkled intensely. Brennen stepped forward crossing his arms, and trying to cover his final bit of relief. A towel flew from her direction, hitting his head. "You missed dinner."
" I just ate." He replied.
"That was several hours ago." The elemental looked up to see just how dark it had gotten.
"I've been here that long,,,"
"The dojo can do that to you. Especially when you mind is elsewhere." Jordan said leaned into him softly, before pushing past the electrical, but he hugged her back, erasing the thought of clammy skin that he'd held that morning. "Dude, shower."
"You can-"
Think before you say it." She grinned. The woman sat down on the floor stretching long legs before her. Brennen followed, eyeing the softly athletic thighs in particular. Jordan and Shalimar were two different types of sexy all together. The blonde was classic, petite and curvy, with power in such a small package. Her aura was wilder, no doubt from the feral DNA. Jordan on the other hand, was something sultry. Even now, the woman sat with a sense of refinement. It was in her walk, from how her ankles turned to the one-two of her hips and spine. She was taller and her arms and calves slim, gently curving with lean muscle, but the rest was undeniably woman. He watched as she leaned back on her arms, her head falling back in a cascade of silky dreds. The high cheekbones, slender lips and lean jaw due to an enticing blend of culture in her blood. The graceful neck gave way to the soft curves of her chest and slender stomach. He remembered how the feral's had been a solid packing of lean muscle. Jordan's was a sleek flat line interrupted with a sliver of navel, and seemed non-existent next to flair of her hips. Shalimar was a slim collection of strength in her curves. Yet Jordan had that round backside that made men fall. Each woman turned heads in her own right, however. But his eyes returned to the thighs. Full, long and almost seeming glazed.
Brennen's attraction to women was more like an addiction. He was a classic red-blooded male and leaned forward, gently pulling at a strand of Jordan's dreds. Tightly raveled from root to end, much unlike the typical idea of locs. The texture was surprisingly silky between his fingers. Jordan lifted her head to look at him with dark eyes that could make a man lose himself. He moved to let go of the strand. "It's okay." She whispered adjusting so he could examine them more.
"Do you get this a lot?"
"So-so. Otherwise it's the occasional bias." She watched him momentarily. "What's on your mind?"
"I'm just thinking."
"Don't hurt yourself."
His grin spread softly. "Funny. I'm thinking about what Adam said the other day. "How'd you end up here, Jordan?"
"Wow," A slip of tongue rushed her lips in thought. Brennen turned, trying to focus on something else. "I joined the team a year ago, but I've been a runner for years - right out of high school. Adam used to work with my aunt in the Peace Corps and I traveled the world with her. Anyway, since I had such a handle on getting around, he put me in charge of the one off the houses. I played go-between for Mutant X and the actual runners, who got new mutants to safety. That was until,,,last year."
"What happened then?" Brennen was stretched out by her and leaning on a forearm.
"Well, Adam had just started to monitor my abilities and was sending me on missions with Shal and Jesse. I didn't think anything off it, but he started to drop hints that I should join up. What I didn't know was that he was looking for someone to split the load with them. Since I had martial arts training and knew the life, he chose me.
"And you just accepted?"
"Basically,,, It seemed natural and not much changed. It's not like you lose your freedom; Adam holds no one against his will. There's a peace in helping others-kind of an atonement for sins."
"Sounds like redemption." He replied.
"It is."
"Brennen," her fingers brushed his face, sending an awakening shiver through the man. "We honestly know only two things: One is where we've been and even more so what we DON'T want for ourselves. It's easier then trying to define what we want in life. And the hardest thing," she whispered, brushing his hair. "Is taking a road not traveled."
He leaned forward on his legs, smirking at the black woman. "How can you bee younger and know what I need to learn?"
"I'm a woman. Automatically wiser than any male." His eyes rolled at that, which sometimes he believed true.
"Jordan, I can't make promises Adam, this team or to you."
Her laugh was sweet against his ear. "Divorced before the marriage? Brennen, you're a grown man. The only promises you need to make are to yourself. We are just two people whom have crossed paths. It's how we handle the connection that makes it valuable." She moved to stand, pulling him up afterwards. "Besides, " she grinned. "You-like-the feral."
"Maybe," he threw an arm around her shoulder as they descended the stairs.
"So, are you staying?"
Brennen looked at the woman, then at his hands. He'd done so much is his unexpectedly long life. "I've destroyed so much."
Jordan slipped her own fingers over his. "Then learn to rebuild."
"Alright then, I'll stay."
Thank you for ALL the e-mails. I look forward to checking out your sites!
I just saw the episode THE TAKING OF CROWS, and I LOVED the new, edgier Jesse. I guess their making up for taking off Emma. Never the less, it was one of the best episodes in a long while.
Here's a new installment for you all. PLEASE KEEP THE EMAILS AND REVIEWS COMING!!! I will answer back.
DISCLAIMER: M-X, Don't own them. Enjoy!
"I almost died that day, myself." Jesse interrupted. He had watched the elemental voice the fear that was so long held in. His pale skin was finally returning to that dark, signature shade of his. The molecular sat on the edge of the table, running through the scene. "No matter how often it happens, there is no getting used to it."
"The thing IS," Brennen replied, pulling at a string on the table fabric. " Adam said that it only happens when the injury is something larger, or more severe than she's experienced before. Otherwise, her body just snaps back- like when she heals herself."
"That's because that 'shot' was meant for you."
The elemental looked at his teammate with new eyes. "I know."
Brennen didn't see Jordan when they returned to Sanctuary. Even though she was practically back to normal, Adam kept her in the lab for observations. Who could blame him? The connection in this group was more than that of work associates or friends. They seemed to be a genuine - but eclectic- family. The elemental couldn't find anything to do with himself that morning. There he was, both several hours (and a few grey hairs later), back in this place that so desperately called him. The place he so desperately wanted to leave.
It was the afternoon when Shalimar and Adam left the lab. Brennen had watched their comings and goings all day. From time to time, there was talk but his ears faltered in making the words. Nerves itched under the layers if his skin, wanting in some way to act. Finally, Adam came out speaking to Shalimar again. "She's finally sleeping,,,"
"Adam, she's fine."
"I know but I just want to make sure, at least for today. " The older man rubbed his forehead in fatigue. "I tell you, that Jordan knows how to try me."
"Come on, she did what she does. It's no different from Jesse massing to protect us."
"But this was different, Shalimar. That 'blast' was specially composed to take down Brennen. It was meant to take down someone of his size and with his capabilities. Jordan knew when she got in the way."
"But Adam," The feral replied low, her voice breaking no argument. " He brought her back. You should have seen it- it was incredible!"
"I don't doubt it." He replied with folding arms. Brennen stiffened in the shadows. "And I'm thankful that both of them are alright. Jordan's healing reservoir grows every time she survives something extreme."
"Just never get used to it?"
"Do you?" He asked rhetorically. Shalimar rubbed the man's arm, hating the stress on his heart. "Every time one of you walks out, I'm afraid you won't come back."
"Well, it's what we do. And I think Brennen would be a good addition to our team. You should have seen him, Adam. The man is amazing."
"Well, we offered him a chance and he said no,,,"
Shalimar leaned into her 'father'. "And you're a sucker for second chances. Jordan wouldn't have brought him here if she didn't see that. He would have gone directly into the underground."
"Well," Adam started, turning his head. "Where is Mr. Mulray? I want to check him out, make sure he's alright."
Shalimar looked slowly, her lips curling before the feral dressed her eyes. The electrical stiffened in his place. "He's around,,,I'll get him."
The woman waited before looking straight in Brennen's direction. "You always play hide-and-seek?"
"Only with pretty women."
The blonde grinned before folding her arms. "You heard the man, he wants you in the lab."
Brennen moved to follow her, his mind still on the morning's events. "Shal?"
"Yeah."
"Is Jordan okay, I mean really?"
Her curling lips were sexy in their danger. "Please! She's already fine. Adam's just over protective. Jordan is way stronger than given credit for. She could be beck on assignment now, but its Adam's nerves that need a rest."
"You guys do seem pretty close here,,,Must be nice."
"Could be for you, too." Those brown eyes met his in a flash of boldness. Brennen crossed his arms slowly. "You're welcome to join."
"What's in it for me?' he asked lacking any innocence.
Shalimar looked at the tall man, not knowing what to think of him. Her eyes narrowed in thought. "Whatever you can handle, playboy."
Brennen looked down at his hands, toying with an old ring on his finger. "Don't quite know what that is these days,,,"
"Brennen, what's left for you out there?"
He was silent.
"Nothing but ghosts. You keep trying to pull yourself up," her hand gently touched his shoulder. "Now you have someone to help you up - five people in particular. One is lying in there right now, racking up a scorecard you might not begin to even-but that's family. No I.O.U.'s, no planned paybacks, just support."
"And acceptance." He replied, his stomach followed in a low growl.
"And food. When was the last time you ate?"
"At the safe house."
The feral patted him on the back, before pulling away. "Go let Adam check you out, then come to the kitchen."
"Do you cook like Jordan?"
"Please."
"My real dilemma started then." The elemental hit a trick shot, smirking as he stood up. "I didn't know which way to go- Sanctuary or the world."
"You mean Shalimar or Jordan."
"I didn't know it at the time."
"Well," Jesse started as he sat on the couch. "They're two different women."
"Two different types of sexy." Brennen grinned.
Jesse sat back, smirking. "You always think with the wrong head?"
"Now you sound like Shalimar,,,"
The truth was that chasing women was the farthest thing from Brennen's mind. When he left the kitchen, he instinctively returned to the dojo and into thoughts of training. He pulled off his shirt and boots before entering the vast space. The room sat quiet, minus the humming of running waterfalls. He stretched slowly, closing his eyes in contemplation. Each execution represented a choice-Mutant X or the world. The tall man slid into a meditative form, pushing and pulling his limbs unhurriedly with each act. His massive form contradicted his possession of grace and agility. A long arm would reach to retract in symbolized motion then extend again. This repeated for what seemed like moments, before breaking into a fierce pace of martial arts. Each sliced the still air of the dojo, replacing the very action of his heart. A moment of slow stretches, then one of swift execution. It was the simplest inhale and exhale-n and out as naturally as it could be. Even his splits were extreme in strength, guiding his kicks and flying across the floor.
"I bet women pay to see that."
His concentration left, causing the dark eyes to see her standing by the stairs, dressed in a white tank and dangerously short khaki skirt. Her hair fell in faint waves around slender shoulders. Brennen shook off his last stretch before talking. "How long have you been there?"
"Not long." Jordan pulled off the rail looking brand new, something Jesse told him would happen every time she fully recovered her energy. Her skin glowed in that rich amber and those dark eyes sparkled intensely. Brennen stepped forward crossing his arms, and trying to cover his final bit of relief. A towel flew from her direction, hitting his head. "You missed dinner."
" I just ate." He replied.
"That was several hours ago." The elemental looked up to see just how dark it had gotten.
"I've been here that long,,,"
"The dojo can do that to you. Especially when you mind is elsewhere." Jordan said leaned into him softly, before pushing past the electrical, but he hugged her back, erasing the thought of clammy skin that he'd held that morning. "Dude, shower."
"You can-"
Think before you say it." She grinned. The woman sat down on the floor stretching long legs before her. Brennen followed, eyeing the softly athletic thighs in particular. Jordan and Shalimar were two different types of sexy all together. The blonde was classic, petite and curvy, with power in such a small package. Her aura was wilder, no doubt from the feral DNA. Jordan on the other hand, was something sultry. Even now, the woman sat with a sense of refinement. It was in her walk, from how her ankles turned to the one-two of her hips and spine. She was taller and her arms and calves slim, gently curving with lean muscle, but the rest was undeniably woman. He watched as she leaned back on her arms, her head falling back in a cascade of silky dreds. The high cheekbones, slender lips and lean jaw due to an enticing blend of culture in her blood. The graceful neck gave way to the soft curves of her chest and slender stomach. He remembered how the feral's had been a solid packing of lean muscle. Jordan's was a sleek flat line interrupted with a sliver of navel, and seemed non-existent next to flair of her hips. Shalimar was a slim collection of strength in her curves. Yet Jordan had that round backside that made men fall. Each woman turned heads in her own right, however. But his eyes returned to the thighs. Full, long and almost seeming glazed.
Brennen's attraction to women was more like an addiction. He was a classic red-blooded male and leaned forward, gently pulling at a strand of Jordan's dreds. Tightly raveled from root to end, much unlike the typical idea of locs. The texture was surprisingly silky between his fingers. Jordan lifted her head to look at him with dark eyes that could make a man lose himself. He moved to let go of the strand. "It's okay." She whispered adjusting so he could examine them more.
"Do you get this a lot?"
"So-so. Otherwise it's the occasional bias." She watched him momentarily. "What's on your mind?"
"I'm just thinking."
"Don't hurt yourself."
His grin spread softly. "Funny. I'm thinking about what Adam said the other day. "How'd you end up here, Jordan?"
"Wow," A slip of tongue rushed her lips in thought. Brennen turned, trying to focus on something else. "I joined the team a year ago, but I've been a runner for years - right out of high school. Adam used to work with my aunt in the Peace Corps and I traveled the world with her. Anyway, since I had such a handle on getting around, he put me in charge of the one off the houses. I played go-between for Mutant X and the actual runners, who got new mutants to safety. That was until,,,last year."
"What happened then?" Brennen was stretched out by her and leaning on a forearm.
"Well, Adam had just started to monitor my abilities and was sending me on missions with Shal and Jesse. I didn't think anything off it, but he started to drop hints that I should join up. What I didn't know was that he was looking for someone to split the load with them. Since I had martial arts training and knew the life, he chose me.
"And you just accepted?"
"Basically,,, It seemed natural and not much changed. It's not like you lose your freedom; Adam holds no one against his will. There's a peace in helping others-kind of an atonement for sins."
"Sounds like redemption." He replied.
"It is."
"Brennen," her fingers brushed his face, sending an awakening shiver through the man. "We honestly know only two things: One is where we've been and even more so what we DON'T want for ourselves. It's easier then trying to define what we want in life. And the hardest thing," she whispered, brushing his hair. "Is taking a road not traveled."
He leaned forward on his legs, smirking at the black woman. "How can you bee younger and know what I need to learn?"
"I'm a woman. Automatically wiser than any male." His eyes rolled at that, which sometimes he believed true.
"Jordan, I can't make promises Adam, this team or to you."
Her laugh was sweet against his ear. "Divorced before the marriage? Brennen, you're a grown man. The only promises you need to make are to yourself. We are just two people whom have crossed paths. It's how we handle the connection that makes it valuable." She moved to stand, pulling him up afterwards. "Besides, " she grinned. "You-like-the feral."
"Maybe," he threw an arm around her shoulder as they descended the stairs.
"So, are you staying?"
Brennen looked at the woman, then at his hands. He'd done so much is his unexpectedly long life. "I've destroyed so much."
Jordan slipped her own fingers over his. "Then learn to rebuild."
"Alright then, I'll stay."