CLUBLIGHTS
Disclaimer: M-X, Don't Own them, Enjoy!
Even dreams were different for the molecular. Once in sweet torture, he found solace in the arms of a redhead angel, she reassured him, challenge his fears and finally heard everything he'd needed to say for the past two years they shared. They ravaged under a rush of passion, losing it to repeated possibilities of how their 'first time' should have been. And even in dreams, the intensity left nails dragging his back, and fingers clinching the sheets. But now that had changed.
Some how, in the recognition that his mind, heart (and definitely his body) could need again; the red hair became a daring shade of dark brown. And the azure eyes, intensified to a glowing shade of light blue. The once soft slender form emerged as a lean collection of muscle and tan propelled by a set of killer legs. And the innocence he once reveled in had become a danger too afraid to open to emotion. Lexa had invaded him.
Ironically, there in his heart was no guilt. No belief that he was cheating on Emma. In all respects, the psionic would have wanted him to move on. She would have wanted someone with a strength that complemented and contrasted his own, like a red to a green, or violet to yellow. And in Jesse's well-composed passions, a woman as calm and enticingly dangerous would be the perfect element to his completion. Somehow, his mental Emma knew this. She was daring him to let her go.
The images were enough to shake him, and rattle the man through his whole body, till consciousness kicked in. He was being shaken, and his eyes opened to a mess of blonde in his face.
"Wake up!" Shalimar gasped in a loud whisper. Her hair seemed to mingle with his own locks.
"Shal! I can't breath!" he pushed the woman back gently, moving to sit up, and ease the racing in his heart. "What is it?"
"What is it?" She started, crossing small arms over her chest. The blonde's breathing was intensifying every second. "Are you and Lex together?" she demanded.
Jesse paused before wiping his eyes, and leaned forward on his knees. He could feel her stare. "I don't know."
"How can you not know?"
"THINGS HAP-PENNED, SHAL! I'm still trying to figure it out. And right now isn't the time for this."
"Well, let me tell you what time it is." She snapped. "It's time you did something about this 'relationship'. And you better do it quick, cause she and Brennen are gonna kill each other!" The feral paused, watching the blue eyes widen. Jesse's face took on a defeated 'OH! Shit!' look before burying into his large palms. He should have known better. Brennen, in his attempts to look out for him, would do something under his nose.
"What happened?"
"What do you think happened, Rocky? They fought! Over you and Jordan, and frankly, I don't blame either one of them."
He eyed the woman cautiously. "So you have a problem with Brennen and Jordan?"
"NO! At least, I know she won't hurt him. But, Jesse, LEXA? She's."
"Someone with demons," the man interrupted the possible reversion to curse words. "Like all of us, right now."
"Jess, she and Brennen threatened each other to stay away from you and Jordan! Brennen called her a whore! And Lex-"
"He did what."
Shalimar paused, realizing the door she just opened. Jesse had stopped rubbing his face, and blue eyes blazed at her over still hands, no doubt covering those twitching narrow lips. Under the cascade of shoulder length hair and the naked chest, this made him look mid-evil. Like some warrior just struck into anger. Shalimar actually stepped back. "Jess."
"HE DID WHAT!"
"Jess, she accused him of just 'fucking around' with Jordan. You know they're like family, and he said it out of anger."
"You don't even believe what you just said." The man snapped as he jumped from the bed. Strong arms absently snapped a shirt over his head, before he straightened the dark sweat pants. "And we both know Brennen too well."
"Jess, he was looking out for you."
"I don't doubt it." He replied, surprising Shalimar. "That's still no reason for disrespect. And Jordan doesn't even know he has a thing fore her."
"She actually does." The feral broke, causing Jesse to face her. "I kind of told her."
"Your own little soap opera, huh." The molecular smirked, stepping into his shoes. "Wait till you see what happens next,,,"
The feral followed her 'brother' out into the hall. He stood, for the moment, pondering which direction to chose. Lexa was hurt; he knew it and Brennen (well, hell, he was Brennen!). They'd work it out in the dojo later. But he had to check on her. The man half ran down the hall, blurring past the kitchen, before the recall button tapped his mind. Shalimar was already in the doorway, watching.
They stood there, eyeing each other with thick danger and in the obvious line of sight, Jordan stood wide-eyed with disbelief. Her hands pulled from the blue jeans, so arms could cross over the tight white tank, in a stabilizing manner. Jesse held his breath.
"What's going on?" Shalimar more so demanded before stepping in behind the molecular. The taller man and brunette were stiffly silent with each other. Intensity was at the container's brim, pushing at the oxygen so it could burst. "Okay, guys. Why doesn't everyone get some air? We've been through enough the past few days."
"Whose fault is that?" Damn it, Brennen, she thought.
"Everyone knew what they were getting into when we took the mission, Brennen." The feral stated calmly. "We all agreed not to tell you and Jesse."
The elemental tightened his thickly detailed crossed arms. "How convenient." Lexa rolled her eyes, before glancing back at Jordan than Brennen. He noticed all to obviously. Jesse stepped forward, placing his hands on the cool counter top. "Brennen, let's get some air."
"How about we don't." he snapped.
"How about you tell everybody how much fun you had calling me a whore." The brunette interrupted.
"No surprise." He muttered.
Jesse turned his head, cursing silently before his eyes connected with Jordan's. Oh, my God he thought. "Lex, Brennen. You both need to get some air!"
"Yeah, well, you need to realize that your friend is a jack ass" Lexa smirked.
"He already knows his girl friend is a bitch!"
"GUYS!!! Shalimar AND Jordan are right here! Cut it out!" The two paused, fuming in front of each other. "I understand each of your feelings and your reasons. Family is family, no matter whose it is. But you two need to realize the decisions you're making are not yours to make." He rounded the counter, moving to stand between them. "We've been through enough. Brennen, Lex didn't deserve to be disrespected that way. She got enough of that at Amnesia- they ALL did." He purposely reminded the man of what happened to Jordan, and seeing his eyes soften let Jesse know it was working. "And Lexa, no one is more trustworthy or dependable than this man. I trust him with my life, and you've managed to as well in the short time you've been here. You're both angry at each other cause you understand all too well, where the other is coming from."
Shalimar exhaled quietly, moving to stand by the regenerative- elemental. Jordan nearly jumped at the brush of skin, and seeing the 'told you so' look in her eyes, made it all too real.
"You two are the only real danger in this room." The molecular added.
Brennen stepped back, moving to lean against a farther counter. He remained crossed armed. "Shit, you sound like, Emma."
Lexa rolled her eyes at that, pushing past the blonde man and into the hallway. Jesse watched blankly before following her.
The woman stormed into her room, circling like a caged animal as fingers held back her hair. Her breathing became loud, and still angry. Jesse walked in closing the door. His movement towards her halted when she held up her hands. "I know I'm a bitch. Being a bitch has kept me alive all this time! I know."
"Know what?" Jesse asked standing in front of her. "You know only what you'd admit to yourself."
"And what would you admit, Jess? That he was right when he said every thing you do, reminds you of Emma? Every time you close you eyes or touch someone else, you see her! You're with her! Brennen did not hesitate to remind me of that, and THAT is why I don't want him with Jordan."
Jesse pushed his hands into the pants pockets. "Oddly, enough, it's his way of being protective. As for me, I will admit living with a ghost is all I've wanted to do for the past few months."
Lexa paused at that, crossing her arms more so in protection than defense. "So, the other night, when we kissed-"
"I KISSED YOU." Jesse admitted, almost surprising himself. He knew all along, but still it sounded funny-and right.
"But your mind was on her."
"No, it wasn't." He pulled the woman in front of him, holding onto the slender shoulders. "You had all of me then, Lex." He could see the barriers crumbling behind her blue eyes. His hands relaxed into her shoulders. "You still do, and that's why I pulled away. All of it was too intense to deal with at the time." The woman seemed to not know what to do with herself. "You have a lot of walls up, Lex. Fortunately, I have a way through most of them."
"Funny," she nearly whispered. Jesse kissed her forehead before taking her hand in his. "Are you sure?" she whispered.
"If I realized anything, it's that sometimes you have to drown before you can save yourself. It makes life all the more important." His fingers brushed the dark hair, watching her attempt to hid emotion. "You didn't deserve what he said to you. But he shouldn't have to fight you for a chance with J. There should be no question about how he'll be to her."
The pale eyes, regarded him with soft intensity. "She deserves someone-good."
"So does Brennen." The molecular whispered before capturing her lips with his own. "And so do you."
**********************************************************
She stood in the kitchen, still watching the fuming elemental and the surprised regenerative. Shalimar knew she needed to leave the room, but doing so could mean they would say what needed to be heard. "You two should talk." She stated. "I'll be in the hall."
Jordan pulled at the ponytail, adjusting its hold before moving forward. Her nerves were on edge as she approached the large man. "You and Lex fight like you're related."
"That's not funny." The man smirked. Brennen relaxed against the counter, still drowning in thought. "I shouldn't have said what I did, especially around you."
"How about you give me some answers, then." She asked. "How did this- start?"
Brennen looked at her before answering. Lexa had purposely admitted his name-calling to anger Jordan. She knew how it would affect her, and him. The elemental carefully searched for his words. "I found out some things, about her and Jess-"
"And you just wanted to make sure he wasn't hurt."
"You make it sound so sensitive," he nearly grinned. "In macho terms, I was lookin' out for him."
"I see. And it got a little out of control." Jordan began to think about everything that had happened in the past few days. Strings slowly came together, forming the most interesting tapestry to her eyes. It was a long, gold-colored canvas with an array of textures compiled from both emotion and skin-and it very much-resembled Brennen Mulray. "Let's walk."
"Why?" he asked even though easily following when she pulled him by the arm.
"You need air, and Shal is eavesdropping." They walked towards the dojo, silent till reaching the top floor. The woman plopped down on the matted area like a little kid. And Brennen easily complied, moving to stretch out beside her. "I should tell you some things." She started. "Lexa doesn't have a hard time opening up to people, she just chooses not too. I think you understand the safety in that."
The man placed his arms behind his head, exhaling against the air. "Yeah."
"Then you understand, the vulnerability that develops from it. It took forever for her to trust me, and there was a time or two that I 'shared' a few choice names with her."
"Ohh," Brennen smirked. "I like girl fights."
"I bet. Anyway, the person I eventually got to know is priceless. That is the person that she's trusted enough to show to Jess. And we both know that 'she' is the person he needs right now."
"I know. She made him believe that there could be a life after Emma." He added.
"Brennen, you got angry because she's so much like you. And that reflection edged you out."
"But, this wasn't really about her, you know that." He looked at Jordan so directly chills went through her.
"I know." She replied. "Brennen, that time, in that club terrified me. At first, I thought it was because Shal was so on edge about you guys finding out, and I understood. The last thing any woman wants is for someone she cares about to see her degrading herself- intentional or not." Brennen listened to her words, but the 'cared about' part seemed to stick. "And knowing you had was worse! Things are more bearable when their not reflected back so -nakedly."
"You guys didn't have to go there."
"But we felt we did. It wasn't just a mission. We all felt an obligation to save those girls. No matter what we had to do. Anyway, what really bothered me was that you saw me like the rest of t he crowd did-for a moment, in your eyes, I was an object."
"I wish I could apologize." He whispered.
"You can't, because what you felt was honest. It was primal- completely male. Why do you think places like Amnesia stay in business." She leaned down next to him, stretching to relax on the carpeted floor. "Taking it off for Movaro, wasn't so bad. Knowing you saw it was terrifying. Lexa understood that, and that's why she said we shouldn't tell you and Jesse."
His eyes grew wide, reflecting a slight disbelief in the brown orbs. "Jordan, I'm not apologizing for being there."
"I don't want you to." She interjected. "That's the last thing I'd ask. Because of you, I'm alive right now- so is Lexa and she knows it. I just wanted you to see why she and I have done these missions so many times before. No emotional attachment. Knowing you were right there, while Movaro was watching, and seeing your face go between anger and,,," her words faltered at the warm gaze directed at her. The man could pick a hell of a time to make her realize he was beautiful. "That." She smirked. "I felt dirty. Like I was less. Shalimar knew you guys would be understanding of her because she IS your family. But, you and Jess seeing us that way,,,"
Brennen sat up, watching the woman look away, in thought. His mind tried to focus on one thing to say, one place to start. It had to be something he knew would make her understand all of his actions- and reactions. Those words just wouldn't come right then. "When you were on stage, I tried to look away, because I knew part of me would see you just the way you described- and I did." He didn't have to see her face to know the reaction on it, and his hand slid over hers in response. "But that was only right then. I wanted you off that stage and away from that crowd. If I can stop something from happening, I stop it." His grip tightened around hers, pushing their fingers to interlock. "J, when you were 'doing that', it felt like we were the only two in the room. I didn't see someone 'stripping' (finally saying the word, created a pausing starkness between them). I saw someone I want." His lips brushed the hand linked in his. "I saw the woman I want."
She stared at him, processing words and features with clear dark eyes. Brennen leaned in closer, narrowing the space between them. "I wouldn't have killed Movaro for any less." He finished. The nervousness between them slowly lifted.
"I know." Was all she could manage- and in a whisper at that.
"I liked you long before the mission, though." The man smirked. "If Shal hasn't leaked it to you already." The grin on her face confirmed his suspicions.
Jordan sat there, eyeing the large hand laced into her own, his skin was rough against hers. "What about you and Lex?"
The man sat up, wrapping his arm around the woman, so to pull her closer. "We'll deal with it. There's no way around it, if she likes Jesse. That's like taking somebody's puppy away. What about you?"
"What about me?" she asked honestly. Brennen pulled her close, purposely hitting his forehead with hers. The woman rolled her eyes, laughing as he adjusted.
"What kind of interference will you run for me?"
"Why would I do that?
"Because, if I'm not taken care of-"
"You wine like a baby, I know." Brennen pulled her to him, brushing the slender neck with his lips. "Or you bother people till they give in." Jordan whispered.
His hold tightened, pulling her back onto the floor. "All you have to do is give in."
Disclaimer: M-X, Don't Own them, Enjoy!
Even dreams were different for the molecular. Once in sweet torture, he found solace in the arms of a redhead angel, she reassured him, challenge his fears and finally heard everything he'd needed to say for the past two years they shared. They ravaged under a rush of passion, losing it to repeated possibilities of how their 'first time' should have been. And even in dreams, the intensity left nails dragging his back, and fingers clinching the sheets. But now that had changed.
Some how, in the recognition that his mind, heart (and definitely his body) could need again; the red hair became a daring shade of dark brown. And the azure eyes, intensified to a glowing shade of light blue. The once soft slender form emerged as a lean collection of muscle and tan propelled by a set of killer legs. And the innocence he once reveled in had become a danger too afraid to open to emotion. Lexa had invaded him.
Ironically, there in his heart was no guilt. No belief that he was cheating on Emma. In all respects, the psionic would have wanted him to move on. She would have wanted someone with a strength that complemented and contrasted his own, like a red to a green, or violet to yellow. And in Jesse's well-composed passions, a woman as calm and enticingly dangerous would be the perfect element to his completion. Somehow, his mental Emma knew this. She was daring him to let her go.
The images were enough to shake him, and rattle the man through his whole body, till consciousness kicked in. He was being shaken, and his eyes opened to a mess of blonde in his face.
"Wake up!" Shalimar gasped in a loud whisper. Her hair seemed to mingle with his own locks.
"Shal! I can't breath!" he pushed the woman back gently, moving to sit up, and ease the racing in his heart. "What is it?"
"What is it?" She started, crossing small arms over her chest. The blonde's breathing was intensifying every second. "Are you and Lex together?" she demanded.
Jesse paused before wiping his eyes, and leaned forward on his knees. He could feel her stare. "I don't know."
"How can you not know?"
"THINGS HAP-PENNED, SHAL! I'm still trying to figure it out. And right now isn't the time for this."
"Well, let me tell you what time it is." She snapped. "It's time you did something about this 'relationship'. And you better do it quick, cause she and Brennen are gonna kill each other!" The feral paused, watching the blue eyes widen. Jesse's face took on a defeated 'OH! Shit!' look before burying into his large palms. He should have known better. Brennen, in his attempts to look out for him, would do something under his nose.
"What happened?"
"What do you think happened, Rocky? They fought! Over you and Jordan, and frankly, I don't blame either one of them."
He eyed the woman cautiously. "So you have a problem with Brennen and Jordan?"
"NO! At least, I know she won't hurt him. But, Jesse, LEXA? She's."
"Someone with demons," the man interrupted the possible reversion to curse words. "Like all of us, right now."
"Jess, she and Brennen threatened each other to stay away from you and Jordan! Brennen called her a whore! And Lex-"
"He did what."
Shalimar paused, realizing the door she just opened. Jesse had stopped rubbing his face, and blue eyes blazed at her over still hands, no doubt covering those twitching narrow lips. Under the cascade of shoulder length hair and the naked chest, this made him look mid-evil. Like some warrior just struck into anger. Shalimar actually stepped back. "Jess."
"HE DID WHAT!"
"Jess, she accused him of just 'fucking around' with Jordan. You know they're like family, and he said it out of anger."
"You don't even believe what you just said." The man snapped as he jumped from the bed. Strong arms absently snapped a shirt over his head, before he straightened the dark sweat pants. "And we both know Brennen too well."
"Jess, he was looking out for you."
"I don't doubt it." He replied, surprising Shalimar. "That's still no reason for disrespect. And Jordan doesn't even know he has a thing fore her."
"She actually does." The feral broke, causing Jesse to face her. "I kind of told her."
"Your own little soap opera, huh." The molecular smirked, stepping into his shoes. "Wait till you see what happens next,,,"
The feral followed her 'brother' out into the hall. He stood, for the moment, pondering which direction to chose. Lexa was hurt; he knew it and Brennen (well, hell, he was Brennen!). They'd work it out in the dojo later. But he had to check on her. The man half ran down the hall, blurring past the kitchen, before the recall button tapped his mind. Shalimar was already in the doorway, watching.
They stood there, eyeing each other with thick danger and in the obvious line of sight, Jordan stood wide-eyed with disbelief. Her hands pulled from the blue jeans, so arms could cross over the tight white tank, in a stabilizing manner. Jesse held his breath.
"What's going on?" Shalimar more so demanded before stepping in behind the molecular. The taller man and brunette were stiffly silent with each other. Intensity was at the container's brim, pushing at the oxygen so it could burst. "Okay, guys. Why doesn't everyone get some air? We've been through enough the past few days."
"Whose fault is that?" Damn it, Brennen, she thought.
"Everyone knew what they were getting into when we took the mission, Brennen." The feral stated calmly. "We all agreed not to tell you and Jesse."
The elemental tightened his thickly detailed crossed arms. "How convenient." Lexa rolled her eyes, before glancing back at Jordan than Brennen. He noticed all to obviously. Jesse stepped forward, placing his hands on the cool counter top. "Brennen, let's get some air."
"How about we don't." he snapped.
"How about you tell everybody how much fun you had calling me a whore." The brunette interrupted.
"No surprise." He muttered.
Jesse turned his head, cursing silently before his eyes connected with Jordan's. Oh, my God he thought. "Lex, Brennen. You both need to get some air!"
"Yeah, well, you need to realize that your friend is a jack ass" Lexa smirked.
"He already knows his girl friend is a bitch!"
"GUYS!!! Shalimar AND Jordan are right here! Cut it out!" The two paused, fuming in front of each other. "I understand each of your feelings and your reasons. Family is family, no matter whose it is. But you two need to realize the decisions you're making are not yours to make." He rounded the counter, moving to stand between them. "We've been through enough. Brennen, Lex didn't deserve to be disrespected that way. She got enough of that at Amnesia- they ALL did." He purposely reminded the man of what happened to Jordan, and seeing his eyes soften let Jesse know it was working. "And Lexa, no one is more trustworthy or dependable than this man. I trust him with my life, and you've managed to as well in the short time you've been here. You're both angry at each other cause you understand all too well, where the other is coming from."
Shalimar exhaled quietly, moving to stand by the regenerative- elemental. Jordan nearly jumped at the brush of skin, and seeing the 'told you so' look in her eyes, made it all too real.
"You two are the only real danger in this room." The molecular added.
Brennen stepped back, moving to lean against a farther counter. He remained crossed armed. "Shit, you sound like, Emma."
Lexa rolled her eyes at that, pushing past the blonde man and into the hallway. Jesse watched blankly before following her.
The woman stormed into her room, circling like a caged animal as fingers held back her hair. Her breathing became loud, and still angry. Jesse walked in closing the door. His movement towards her halted when she held up her hands. "I know I'm a bitch. Being a bitch has kept me alive all this time! I know."
"Know what?" Jesse asked standing in front of her. "You know only what you'd admit to yourself."
"And what would you admit, Jess? That he was right when he said every thing you do, reminds you of Emma? Every time you close you eyes or touch someone else, you see her! You're with her! Brennen did not hesitate to remind me of that, and THAT is why I don't want him with Jordan."
Jesse pushed his hands into the pants pockets. "Oddly, enough, it's his way of being protective. As for me, I will admit living with a ghost is all I've wanted to do for the past few months."
Lexa paused at that, crossing her arms more so in protection than defense. "So, the other night, when we kissed-"
"I KISSED YOU." Jesse admitted, almost surprising himself. He knew all along, but still it sounded funny-and right.
"But your mind was on her."
"No, it wasn't." He pulled the woman in front of him, holding onto the slender shoulders. "You had all of me then, Lex." He could see the barriers crumbling behind her blue eyes. His hands relaxed into her shoulders. "You still do, and that's why I pulled away. All of it was too intense to deal with at the time." The woman seemed to not know what to do with herself. "You have a lot of walls up, Lex. Fortunately, I have a way through most of them."
"Funny," she nearly whispered. Jesse kissed her forehead before taking her hand in his. "Are you sure?" she whispered.
"If I realized anything, it's that sometimes you have to drown before you can save yourself. It makes life all the more important." His fingers brushed the dark hair, watching her attempt to hid emotion. "You didn't deserve what he said to you. But he shouldn't have to fight you for a chance with J. There should be no question about how he'll be to her."
The pale eyes, regarded him with soft intensity. "She deserves someone-good."
"So does Brennen." The molecular whispered before capturing her lips with his own. "And so do you."
**********************************************************
She stood in the kitchen, still watching the fuming elemental and the surprised regenerative. Shalimar knew she needed to leave the room, but doing so could mean they would say what needed to be heard. "You two should talk." She stated. "I'll be in the hall."
Jordan pulled at the ponytail, adjusting its hold before moving forward. Her nerves were on edge as she approached the large man. "You and Lex fight like you're related."
"That's not funny." The man smirked. Brennen relaxed against the counter, still drowning in thought. "I shouldn't have said what I did, especially around you."
"How about you give me some answers, then." She asked. "How did this- start?"
Brennen looked at her before answering. Lexa had purposely admitted his name-calling to anger Jordan. She knew how it would affect her, and him. The elemental carefully searched for his words. "I found out some things, about her and Jess-"
"And you just wanted to make sure he wasn't hurt."
"You make it sound so sensitive," he nearly grinned. "In macho terms, I was lookin' out for him."
"I see. And it got a little out of control." Jordan began to think about everything that had happened in the past few days. Strings slowly came together, forming the most interesting tapestry to her eyes. It was a long, gold-colored canvas with an array of textures compiled from both emotion and skin-and it very much-resembled Brennen Mulray. "Let's walk."
"Why?" he asked even though easily following when she pulled him by the arm.
"You need air, and Shal is eavesdropping." They walked towards the dojo, silent till reaching the top floor. The woman plopped down on the matted area like a little kid. And Brennen easily complied, moving to stretch out beside her. "I should tell you some things." She started. "Lexa doesn't have a hard time opening up to people, she just chooses not too. I think you understand the safety in that."
The man placed his arms behind his head, exhaling against the air. "Yeah."
"Then you understand, the vulnerability that develops from it. It took forever for her to trust me, and there was a time or two that I 'shared' a few choice names with her."
"Ohh," Brennen smirked. "I like girl fights."
"I bet. Anyway, the person I eventually got to know is priceless. That is the person that she's trusted enough to show to Jess. And we both know that 'she' is the person he needs right now."
"I know. She made him believe that there could be a life after Emma." He added.
"Brennen, you got angry because she's so much like you. And that reflection edged you out."
"But, this wasn't really about her, you know that." He looked at Jordan so directly chills went through her.
"I know." She replied. "Brennen, that time, in that club terrified me. At first, I thought it was because Shal was so on edge about you guys finding out, and I understood. The last thing any woman wants is for someone she cares about to see her degrading herself- intentional or not." Brennen listened to her words, but the 'cared about' part seemed to stick. "And knowing you had was worse! Things are more bearable when their not reflected back so -nakedly."
"You guys didn't have to go there."
"But we felt we did. It wasn't just a mission. We all felt an obligation to save those girls. No matter what we had to do. Anyway, what really bothered me was that you saw me like the rest of t he crowd did-for a moment, in your eyes, I was an object."
"I wish I could apologize." He whispered.
"You can't, because what you felt was honest. It was primal- completely male. Why do you think places like Amnesia stay in business." She leaned down next to him, stretching to relax on the carpeted floor. "Taking it off for Movaro, wasn't so bad. Knowing you saw it was terrifying. Lexa understood that, and that's why she said we shouldn't tell you and Jesse."
His eyes grew wide, reflecting a slight disbelief in the brown orbs. "Jordan, I'm not apologizing for being there."
"I don't want you to." She interjected. "That's the last thing I'd ask. Because of you, I'm alive right now- so is Lexa and she knows it. I just wanted you to see why she and I have done these missions so many times before. No emotional attachment. Knowing you were right there, while Movaro was watching, and seeing your face go between anger and,,," her words faltered at the warm gaze directed at her. The man could pick a hell of a time to make her realize he was beautiful. "That." She smirked. "I felt dirty. Like I was less. Shalimar knew you guys would be understanding of her because she IS your family. But, you and Jess seeing us that way,,,"
Brennen sat up, watching the woman look away, in thought. His mind tried to focus on one thing to say, one place to start. It had to be something he knew would make her understand all of his actions- and reactions. Those words just wouldn't come right then. "When you were on stage, I tried to look away, because I knew part of me would see you just the way you described- and I did." He didn't have to see her face to know the reaction on it, and his hand slid over hers in response. "But that was only right then. I wanted you off that stage and away from that crowd. If I can stop something from happening, I stop it." His grip tightened around hers, pushing their fingers to interlock. "J, when you were 'doing that', it felt like we were the only two in the room. I didn't see someone 'stripping' (finally saying the word, created a pausing starkness between them). I saw someone I want." His lips brushed the hand linked in his. "I saw the woman I want."
She stared at him, processing words and features with clear dark eyes. Brennen leaned in closer, narrowing the space between them. "I wouldn't have killed Movaro for any less." He finished. The nervousness between them slowly lifted.
"I know." Was all she could manage- and in a whisper at that.
"I liked you long before the mission, though." The man smirked. "If Shal hasn't leaked it to you already." The grin on her face confirmed his suspicions.
Jordan sat there, eyeing the large hand laced into her own, his skin was rough against hers. "What about you and Lex?"
The man sat up, wrapping his arm around the woman, so to pull her closer. "We'll deal with it. There's no way around it, if she likes Jesse. That's like taking somebody's puppy away. What about you?"
"What about me?" she asked honestly. Brennen pulled her close, purposely hitting his forehead with hers. The woman rolled her eyes, laughing as he adjusted.
"What kind of interference will you run for me?"
"Why would I do that?
"Because, if I'm not taken care of-"
"You wine like a baby, I know." Brennen pulled her to him, brushing the slender neck with his lips. "Or you bother people till they give in." Jordan whispered.
His hold tightened, pulling her back onto the floor. "All you have to do is give in."