CLUBLIGHTS

Disclaimer: M-X, Don't Own them. This one has a few situations so be warned!!!

OKAY! I'm back with something new. Thanks to all those reviewing my work! I hope you all continue to like it. The next chapter or two are based on my NEW favorite song. "Milkshake" by Kelis. So, if you haven't heard it, listen and enjoy the euphemisms.

Jesse had long left Shalimar at the bar, fearing the want for more alcohol would take over. His feet traveled expensive carpet past the endless bars and their liquid demons. He head to focus, and needed something other than the obvious distractions.

In his haste, he found himself in an expensive corridor of private rooms. Each, no doubt set up for 'entertainment' of all sorts. His mind wagered the actual necessity of the girls having to be in this place, in this environment. What type of evil could keep devouring into the will of women left slack in their choices? Then he remembered it was the same evil that had him and Brennen catcalling at the women on stage earlier. Shit! He thought. Shalimar! His sister! That left his stomach knotting in the worst way along his back, and the sensation was slowly climbing the vertebrae of his spine. Why Shalimar? Why did he have to see her? And now, she was undoubtedly shaken by the experience. Even though it was the dancer who controlled the crowd, nothing had seemed to control her nerves. Thankfully, he hadn't seen Jordan. However, his mind returned to the one he'd watched blatantly. She'd slipped into his veins with every turn and left him faceless in a crowd of raging male hormones. And she also happened to be his teammate.

"Lexa." He mouthed silently. His body still wouldn't apologize for its reaction to her. Neither would his mind let go of the images burned onto his retina. It was then obvious that he was torn in his destruction. Never again would he have Emma, but there was no way he'd ever have Lexa. The woman sat detached in her icy prison, keeping emotion to an ultimate minimum. Ironically it was his thoughts of her that made the loss of Ms. Delauro more bearable. "No wonder I drink." He smirked before continuing down the hall.

No sooner had he moved when the woman pulled him into one of the rooms. Jesse stood wide-eyed and silent against the wall, watching as she checked outside before closing the door. "Why are you down here?" she asked.

"I,,,I was just walking." He replied straightening his shirt.

"Well if the bouncers see you, you're toast."

"Why? Aren't these just lap dance rooms?" his voice steadied as she moved in front of him.

"Yeah, for Movaro's illegal clients."

His blue eyes burned right then, watching the woman who wasn't shaken like his other teammates. "Lexa, has anything happened to you in here?"

She eyed him, almost surprised by his concern. Jesse then could see a slight shake of nerves on her face. "No, Jess."

"Are you sure?" he more so demanded. Now she was surprised at the near authority in his voice. "No one has done ANYTHING to you."

"Yes, Jesse." She started her hand brushing his arm. "No one has touched me, or attempted to."

His face relaxed right then, giving her a chance to exhale. "Alright."

"Jesse, you and Brennen should go home."

"No. No, we are staying here. We leave when you do."

Lexa rolled her eyes. "What are you gonna do, play bodyguard? If Movaro's men had caught Brennen on that stage, he would be dead! They put all the guys in the front row in the hospital!"

"He did what he had to!"

"Yeah, and you would to, I know. But! If there is any thing you can do, then do it from Sanctuary. WE-"

"WE-ARE-NOT-LEAVING-YOU-HERE!" He snapped, quieting the insistent brunette. Jesse paused before, realizing how he sounded and stepped forward, gently grabbing her shoulder. "Lexa," he almost whispered. "I am not leaving you here."

She was silent at his action, the smell of expensive cologne entering her nostrils. This 'Jesse' was so different, so forward, so,,,intruiging. The man looked nearly feral with his blue eyes blazing in electricity. His lips twitched in anxiousness. "I know." She replied, lowering her head. "Who's gonna shave your beard, right?"

His grin finally broke, easing this nearly wanted tension between the two. He'd lowered his head also, accidentally brushing their foreheads, when the door opened. Lexa moved to use her powers, but Jesse stopped her.

"What the fuck's goin' on?" said a slim man dressed in a dark suit. His cigar leaving a bland cast of smoke. "Angela? You entertaining in here?"

"Yeah, Richie." Lexa replied pushing Jesse into the chair. "Just a lap dance."

The man stepped forward, followed by a large bouncer. "How much did he drop?"

"Fifty grand." Jesse interjected, looking pissed at the men. This Richie eyed him intensely. "You don't look like you shit money."

"Do most billionaires?" He replied pulling the brunette to stand between his legs.

Now, do you mind?"

"If I hear screaming form this room again, no money will save your ass." He replied moving back towards the door. "Our dancers aren't manhandled."

Yeah, right. Jesse thought. He watched as the door closed, moving the woman so he could stand. "Wait." She whispered, watching the shadows under the door. "Their still outside." The man froze, swallowing hard at the situation. She stood with her hands on his shoulders and leaning to watch the shadows. "Shit! They aren't going anywhere."

"What do you want to do?" Jesse asked trying to avoid the oncoming situation. His eyes tried to look anywhere but her. Damn, I really need a drink! He thought. The woman looked back at him, her eyes reflecting the obvious. Shit! He thought. I need the whole bottle!

"Only thing we can do." She replied. "They are listening to see what we're doing. And I bet they my be able to see in here as well."

"You don't have to-"

"Shhh." She stood walking around the molecular slowly. Jesse's nerves were slowly going. "All you have to do is sit back." Her finger lifted to undo the pinned up hair, letting it fall slowly. "I guess it's a good thing you are here."

The place was bustling with the rush of cash. Even the room smelled of fresh money at times. Brennen watched the people around him, having just missed talking to Shalimar at the bar. It was decided in him to actually end this thing tonight. Now he had to figure out how.

"Buy me a drink?" He looked down into the feral's smirking eyes, thankful that she was all right.

"Oh yeah. I'm a sucker for blondes."

They sat at the bar silent for several moments. His eyes watching intently as she breathed in the cool of the glass. "Thanks Bren."

"No problem." He replied. "You ready to go?"

"Been ready since I got here." She started. "Jordan tried to talk me out of it at the last minute."

"Why didn't you agree?"

"I had to, at least I felt so. She and Lex, they-"

"They've done this before. I know." He replied almost sourly. "You don't have to step up for everything, Shal."

"Like you didn't have to run across the stage to save Jordan?"

"Point taken." He sat back, tracing the rim of his glass with his finger. "What do you guys need to do?"

"Well, Lexa made some calls. Some of her people are coming in to shut the place down. We just don't know when."

"Couldn't they have done so from the beginning?" Brennen sat up, reason trying to find a place in his mind. "Y'know, save you three the effort?"

"You mean the exposure." She smirked. "They needed someone to come in on the legitimate front and get into the operation of the place. Since mostly men are on the hierarchy, we could only get in as dancers."

"Basically, you're just waiting for Lexa's people?"

"Yeah, and we've been scanning the place to figure out a backup plan. Brennen, you and Jess really should-"

"Cut it." He objected, moving to stand up. "We leave when you do. Besides I'm following that Movaro, he has a sick eye on Jordan." The feral adjusted at that, her eyes widening in realization. "What is it, Shal?"

"She just left with some of his men."

The elemental was now completely up, pushing his hands into the pockets of his coat. "And?"

"And they took her to his office."

"And what's the bad part?"

Shalimar face squinted at that. Brennen was pulling her up now. "Shal!"

"Brennen, I think we better just go." With that he was pulling her to the corridors, and flying up the stairs. His mind raced with al the possibilities of on goings.

"Which way?" He asked pulling the blonde behind him.

"Down the left hall. He has an entire floor, but I can't go with you."

"Why the hell not?"

'My cover'll be blown."

"Alright, then go find Lexa. Jess and I have our COMM links so he'll be here. Then, you two get out. Fuck the back up!" The man ran down the hall, leaving the woman to double back into the club. Shalimar knew they were as good as dead.

The room was and endless tease of glass ceilings and curving beams, opening organically to the night and city skyline. Every inch of the place was either an endless mirror, or dark carpeting. The woman stood in front of an expansive desk, watching the portly older man. His eyes burned past the curling cigar smoke, prying into her skin. He leaned forward, interlocking his fingers before sitting his hands on the dark wood.

"Carmen."

"Mr. Mo-"

"Alejandro." He corrected.

"Alejandro." She repeated sweetly. His brow rose at that.

"I thought we should talk about what happened earlier on the stage." He replied before standing. "Just to make sure you're okay."

"I am thank you." Her position shifted. "And I think I'm all talked out about it."

"Well, I'm not." He grinned. "I'm still not sure how you got off that stage so fast. More so how you got to the dressing rooms so quickly."

Jordan again shifted, watching the man cross the floor to her. Movaro sat down beside the woman in an adjacent chair. "I just ran!" she started. "It was either that or get trampled."

"I understand. So you ran all the way to the dressing room?"

"Yes." She replied. "Didn't know where else to go."

"Why didn't you come to me?" he leaned in close, too close for any regular conversation.

"No clothes on. It wasn't exactly a good thing to bust in your office naked. You may have had business in here."

"My employees are my business." The man saw really too close, and a hand brushed her thigh intently. Jordan pushed him back, before standing.

"My head wasn't together, y'know? I just needed someplace where I could calm down. The girls took care of me." One more time, she thought as he sat up. And I'll take care of your fat ass!

"I just really need to make sure you're okay." His relaxed position brought on a newer sense of danger. "Why don't you show me?"

"Excuse me?"

"Take it off."

Jordan was now ready to kill him. Her arms crossed lightly before she spoke. "You want me to dance in here?"

"Did I stutter?" He said. "Now take it off, or I will take it off for you." That made her cringe. It was time to go mutant.

"Music?"

"We won't need it for my examination." He smirked. "Now, strip."

The woman stood feeling the eyes on her skin. Fingers lifted slowly to undue her dress. But the bustle of an altercation stopped them.

"What the fuck?" The man spat as he stood. Two guards came in, pushing a dark-haired man in front of them. Movaro moved in front of them. "What?"

"This guy tried to get in. Said he had a proposition for you."

He eyed the man intently. "You're interrupting me."

"I know, and I apologize but-"

"What's in the suitcase?"

"Cash, boss. Looks like a cool mill."

The older man looked into the eyes, watching for a twitch of fear. "What can I do for you?"

"I-I think we should talk first. Privately, if you will?"

"Boys, " he replied. "Take our guest into the other office. And SHE!" He spun to look at Jordan, "Leaves here for no reason." With that, he was gone and the new mutant was left alone. What was it about this man she didn't recognize? Money must always come first, she thought. It would be a while before help arrived.

Jesse was losing his mind. Lexa stood slowly peeling out of her clothes and there was nothing to cover him. No hysterical crowd or alcohol to drown in. He shifted in his seat as yet another garment fell, leaving the woman in her skirt and bra. The music sat low in his ears, failing to stop the blasted ringing of his mind.

"You look scared." She grinned.

"No! No,,,I just don't ant you to be uncomfortable." The molecular couldn't shift anymore without revealing his arousal. "You don't have to do this."

"Actually, I do." She replied pointing to the still present shadows outside the door. "Don't worry, I won't bite. You have to fork over more cash for that." A slender foot sat on the chair between his legs, exposing a highway of leg his fingers were begging to drive. She leaned over, rolling down a gartered stocking before draping it around his neck. Nervous laughter filled the room. "Thanks Jess."

"Uhmm.For what?" The nerves reminded her of the old Jesse.

"For being a gentleman. If it was Brennen, he'd be doing something just to spite me."

"Oh I think the man has better manners than that."

"Anyway. You have to do something. Make it sound real in hear."

He laughed at that. "I've given you all my cash!"

"Yeah. For a rich boy, I'd thought you'd have more money."

"Keep saying that and I won't tip you at the end." He grinned. Now, after the last stocking hit the floor, she turned her back to him. "You do it."

"Excuse me, what?" Jesse's eyes popped out of his head right then.

"Undo my skirt. It's not like you don't know how, Rocko."

The blonde leaned forward, pulling at the zipper slowly. His mind raced back to the other morning when she had shaved his face, and he wanted to take her down on the bathroom sink. The man didn't recognize this edge brewing in him. It was what kept him chasing women and in countless bar fights the past few months. This edge kept him void of wanting a no longer obtainable past. And now it had him wanting Lexa. Nice guys are always the fucking suckers, he thought.

In this boldness, he stood behind her, pushing the fabric down with insistent but slow fingers. Her arched brow rose over her shoulder. "You playing along now?"

The man leaned into her, his locks falling against her shoulder and neck. The hands sat on her bare thighs, inching a slow trail up the bare skin. "Who's playing?"

The bra clasp seemed to melt open, allowing a burning of lips to slide down her back. The woman was frozen between stop and go, the red and green blurring into brown before her eyes. Arms turned her to face him as the man stole her face in a hungry kiss. "Jess,,," she whispered, not wanting to beg for air right then. Suddenly he snapped back.

"I,,,I'm sorry!" He snapped walking to the other end of the room. "I shoudn't,,,that shouldn't have happened." The man stood trying to steady his breathing. "We can't stay in here like this."

The brunette watched for the moment, before moving to face him. The reckless man stood in front of, trying to dodge their closeness. "Wait,,,wait!" she said, stilling the hungry blonde. "Who was it?"

"What?" He asked trying clearly not to look at her. Slender hands cupped his face, so cool against his heated skin. "What are you talking about?"

"Was it me you kissed," she replied, almost losing it to the reckless eyes. "Or was it-"

"Okay, don't do that." He started pulling away. "Don't say her name right now!"

"Jess! You have to be honest right now. With me and yourself"

He eyed the woman knowing his answer all too easily. "Let's drop it, Lexa."

"Okay. We will for now."

Before he could speak, a frantic Shalimar came over the COMM link. "Guys, where are you?"

"I'm with Lexa," the molecular replied, turning so the woman could put her clothes on. "What's up?"

"We may have a problem. Jordan got taken into Movaro's office and Brennen went after her."

"We're on our way." He replied before moving to the door. "You ready?"

"Yeah. How did Shal get a COMM link?"

"I slipped it to her at the bar." The watched the light under the door, now empty of its shadows. "We'll phase first." They reverted to their particular powers and preceded to step in the hallway, now empty of the men. At that, the two members of Mutant X solidified and headed for the top floor, ready for whatever they'd face.