"I think you're on to something Jess," Brennan said, watching Lexa
carefully. "I have no idea what you're talking about, but Lexa sure as
hell does."
"Neither of you know what you're talking about, so why don't you just shut up?" Lexa spat angrily. "I've asked you nicely, and I'm not asking again. Leave it alone."
Approaching with her hands raised slightly in a non-threatening manner, Shalimar tried to coax more information from the wild eyed burnet. "Who was he Lexa? What happened? Did the Dominion-"
Without warning Lexa threw a burst of energy at a tree directly behind Shalimar. "That, was my last warning. We. Are. NOT. Talking. About. This." Lexa's hands glowed at the ready. "You have your secrets, let me have mine."
"Now just calm down Lexa, you don't want to do this," Jesse said, stepping between the two women.
"Yeah Lexa, you know you can't take all of us," Brennan argued, though he walked quickly to Shalimar's side, just in case.
"Maybe, maybe not." Lexa's eyes flashed with anger, and perhaps a touch of fear.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Brennan's own fingers started to spark. "He can't be worth dying for Alexa."
"Some things have no price Brennan. For some reason I thought you might get that- honor among thieves and all that." Lexa's response reflected her determination.
"Whatever that was, it's over Lexa. The Dominion screwed you once, don't let them do it again," Jesse pleaded.
Lexa's resolve seemed to crumble for a second as she looked over at Jesse. "It isn't over Jesse, don't you get it? It may never be over and part of me, this stupid, selfish and pride-filled part of me is glad. Some days..." Lexa wipes the tears from her face with one arm. "I failed Leo, but I won't fail at this, not when it was my mistake, my choices that brought me here. If you can't understand that- if you can't accept that- then I'm sorry Jesse."
"I can't accept it because you won't tell me what it is I need to accept. You're asking me to pay the price for something that I don't honestly believe was even your fault." Jesse took a step closer. "You're hiding behind this Lexa, and I want to know why."
Shalimar's voice was soft, almost sympathetic, when she chimed in, "Maybe she's afraid."
"Whatever it is Lexa, we can help you. We want to help you." Brennan's unsolicited support surprised them all.
"Does this have something to do with our walk?" Jesse asked. "Was he from there? Is that why you go back there? Is he the friend who told you about that place."
"Give the boy a prize." Lexa's voice was bitter. "Now, see, if we all stand around and talk about it, see how bloody quickly the truth starts to come out? What do you think if we have a group of mad geneticists talk about it for an hour? Do you think they'll figure the whole thing out if the freak shows can figure it out? Those are innocent people Jesse. I won't let you bring them into this. I'm not worth it and neither are you." Lexa's hand filled with light once more, but without warning, Brennan tossed a bolt so powerful at her that she flew 20 yards.
"No!" Jesse ran toward Lexa, his eyes filling with tears. "Talk to me Lexa. Brennan you asshole, what the hell were you thinking?" He fell to his knees next to her but was unable to touch her because residual sparks were jumping off her vest.
"I was thinking she was going to burn your ass," Brennan said defensively. "It was a necessary preventative measure."
"Is she breathing Jesse?" Shalimar asked as she and Brennan walked up behind him.
"I don't know- I think so. Brennan she's still jumping. How much did you hit her with?"
"I didn't throw enough at her to kill her Jesse, Worst case she takes a long nap, but she should be fine." The tall mutant kneeled besides the prone girl. He held his hand over her, absorbing the left over electricity.
"I shouldn't have pushed her- I shouldn't have brought up that gu-"
Lexa's arm shot up and her hand wrapped around Jesse's neck. "Sparky shorted it out. Watch it." Her voice was hoarse and reedy.
"Are you okay?" Jesse croaked, loosening her fingers.
"Should be... fine but... so tired. Nap sounds good Brennan. Careful Jesse... Sparky might take your... title." Lexa tried to sit up but collapsed almost immediately.
"Yeah?" Jesse said, his voice tight, "What title is that?"
"Boy... Genius," Lexa rasped. "Brennan?"
"Yeah Lexa?" Brennan answered softly, looking up at his team mates worriedly, and then back down at Lexa.
"Lucky shot. Next time... I'll be ready... 2 out of 3... Okay?"
"I'm not sure I'll be available Lexa. I think Jesse might kick my ass for this," Brennan joked hollowly.
Lexa started to laugh, but the laughter was soon drowned out by a violent coughing fit. Looking up at Jesse, she stroked his face. "I want to... I want to..." Each time Lexa started to speak, another wave of coughing would roll over her body, each progressively more severe until flecks of blood emerged. "I want to... pass out now." She looks up at Brennan, her eyes tightening up. "Help me Brennan."
"Lexa, no- lexa, if you hit your head, you can't go to sleep." Jesse tried to argue with her- he grabbed her as if to shake her but released her instantly. He'd only touched her for a split second, but both his hands were red with blood. "Noooooo! Lexa, stay with me. Lexa!"
Pushing Jesse back, Brennan had to shout over his hysterical friend so that Shalimar could hear him. "Hold him Shalimar."
Nodding, Shalimar grabbed Jesse and yanked him backwards. "Jesse- we need to get back to the lab. We need to clear off the table so we can help Lexa. Jesse! Listen to me Jesse, I need you to calm down so you can help me help Lexa."
Jesse stood mutely, watching Brennan lean over Lexa and nod, as she whispered to the tall man. Looking up, Brennan wiped his face before telling Shalimar to get Jesse out of there. "You don't want to see this man. Get back to Sanctuary and get the medical supplies ready."
Shalimar used all her considerable strength to push Jesse in the right direction. Luckily she managed to get Jesse out of the clearing and running before Brennan zapped Lexa again, stopping her heart and rendering her unconscious.
With Lexa passed out, Brennan rolled her over, careful not injure her further. He found the base of the large chunk of a fallen tree branch upon which Lexa had impaled herself when she fell. The force of the original blast had driven the branch thru a gap in her ribs, puncturing a lung. Realizing that she would probably bleed out before they could get her back, Lexa had told Brennan to stop her heart and cauterize the wound. With out her heart working against her by pumping the blood from her body, Lexa had argued, they'd have more time.
Completing the Mutant X version of first aide, Brennan carefully lifted Lexa in his arms and sprinted back to Sanctuary. Turning the vest off, Brennan had called Shalimar over the com and told her to pull up all the information she could on how to treat a punctured lung. When he got there Shalimar and Jesse had already cleared and sterilized a table in the lab. Laying her face down, Brennan stepped back so that the other two could try to save her.
When they had done all they could, Jesse looked up at Brennan and nodded. Brennan stood over Lexa, and for the third time in less than an hour, shocked her. Fortunately, she responded instantaneously- her hear began to beat on its own, and she started breathing again.
"What now?" Brennan asked.
"Now... we wait," Shalimar replied.
"Go short out one of the computers again Brennan," Jesse said, slowly.
"What?" Shalimar looked up, surprised. "She wouldn't want you to contact him."
"Well she's not awake to stop me, is she? We need a doctor to come out here and look her over." Jesse picked up a pile of bloody rags and the remains of lexa's clothing and dumped them in the garbage. "We can't exactly walk into an emergency room, so we'll do what we have to in order to get a doctor here."
Nodding, Brennan slid under a nearby console and began to tinker. Before he could remove the cover of the CPU, the Beard appeared on the attached monitor.
"I thought we discussed how this was an inappropriate means of contacting the Dominion," the Beard announced.
"She's been hurt. She punctured a lung- she's lost a lot of blood. We did our best to treat her, but she should have professional medical attention," Jesse said in lieu of an introduction.
"I already have someone en route. Is that all?" the Beard asked.
Jesse bit his tongue and remained silent. The screen went black.
An hour later and the doctor had not yet arrived. Sitting, holding her hand, Jesse rubbed his temple. Lexa was burning up and was now mumbling in a fever induced delirium. Twice he'd heard the name "Jaime." He was beginning to worry.
"Jaime- are ye mad?" Lexa asked in her burr. "I dinna have a choice, ye know that right?"
She was looking right at him, but Jesse knew she didn't see him. "I'm not mad Lexa. You should rest. Hush now."
Lexa squeezed his hand. "He's so tall now- you'd be so proud. He looks just like you. Four years old- a little terror." Lexa tried to laugh, but started to cough.
Jesse stood, taking his hand from hers to go get some morphine.
"Jaime, don't go. Not again. I couldn'a bear it." Lexa pleaded with the ghost.
"I'm just going to get you something to help you relax Lexa." Jesse soothed. "I'm right here."
"I've missed you so much. It should have been me. I didn'a want this. First you, then Leo. You'll take good care of him, won't you?" Lexa asked.
Jesse nodded, swallowing hard as he prepared the syringe.
"I can't hear you anymore love. Sometimes I dream- and I don't see your face. It hurts so much. I donn'a want to be alone." Lexa was crying now- out loud, Jesse realized. In the last turbulent week and a half he'd never heard her sobs. Thinking back, he hadn't heard them after Leo died either.
"You have Jesse now Lexa." Jesse said quietly. "You don't have to be alone anymore."
Lexa smiled. "He's beautiful Jaime. He reminds me of you. You'd like him, I know you would. I took him home with me. We ate at your sister's café."
"You had French toast." Jesse slid the needle into her arm and emptied the syringe.
"Of course. You know I love Anna's French toast." Lexa's voice became sleepy. "I thought I could be with him Jaime. I started to fall in love with him. But he doesn't approve. I can't jeopardize JJ. It's not safe for him yet."
Perking up, Jesse realized that JJ was the key. 'Lexa," Jesse said urgently, wanting the truth so desperately he could taste it. He took her hand again, but paused when he touched the cold metal of the ring. He couldn't ask her, not now. It wasn't safe.
"Yes love?" Lexa mumbled.
"I... I love you Lexa." Jesse whispered.
Lexa smiled, her eyes drifting closed. "I love you too Jaime. I wish... I wish we were still married."
Married. Jesse froze. Jesus. Married.
* * * *
"Neither of you know what you're talking about, so why don't you just shut up?" Lexa spat angrily. "I've asked you nicely, and I'm not asking again. Leave it alone."
Approaching with her hands raised slightly in a non-threatening manner, Shalimar tried to coax more information from the wild eyed burnet. "Who was he Lexa? What happened? Did the Dominion-"
Without warning Lexa threw a burst of energy at a tree directly behind Shalimar. "That, was my last warning. We. Are. NOT. Talking. About. This." Lexa's hands glowed at the ready. "You have your secrets, let me have mine."
"Now just calm down Lexa, you don't want to do this," Jesse said, stepping between the two women.
"Yeah Lexa, you know you can't take all of us," Brennan argued, though he walked quickly to Shalimar's side, just in case.
"Maybe, maybe not." Lexa's eyes flashed with anger, and perhaps a touch of fear.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Brennan's own fingers started to spark. "He can't be worth dying for Alexa."
"Some things have no price Brennan. For some reason I thought you might get that- honor among thieves and all that." Lexa's response reflected her determination.
"Whatever that was, it's over Lexa. The Dominion screwed you once, don't let them do it again," Jesse pleaded.
Lexa's resolve seemed to crumble for a second as she looked over at Jesse. "It isn't over Jesse, don't you get it? It may never be over and part of me, this stupid, selfish and pride-filled part of me is glad. Some days..." Lexa wipes the tears from her face with one arm. "I failed Leo, but I won't fail at this, not when it was my mistake, my choices that brought me here. If you can't understand that- if you can't accept that- then I'm sorry Jesse."
"I can't accept it because you won't tell me what it is I need to accept. You're asking me to pay the price for something that I don't honestly believe was even your fault." Jesse took a step closer. "You're hiding behind this Lexa, and I want to know why."
Shalimar's voice was soft, almost sympathetic, when she chimed in, "Maybe she's afraid."
"Whatever it is Lexa, we can help you. We want to help you." Brennan's unsolicited support surprised them all.
"Does this have something to do with our walk?" Jesse asked. "Was he from there? Is that why you go back there? Is he the friend who told you about that place."
"Give the boy a prize." Lexa's voice was bitter. "Now, see, if we all stand around and talk about it, see how bloody quickly the truth starts to come out? What do you think if we have a group of mad geneticists talk about it for an hour? Do you think they'll figure the whole thing out if the freak shows can figure it out? Those are innocent people Jesse. I won't let you bring them into this. I'm not worth it and neither are you." Lexa's hand filled with light once more, but without warning, Brennan tossed a bolt so powerful at her that she flew 20 yards.
"No!" Jesse ran toward Lexa, his eyes filling with tears. "Talk to me Lexa. Brennan you asshole, what the hell were you thinking?" He fell to his knees next to her but was unable to touch her because residual sparks were jumping off her vest.
"I was thinking she was going to burn your ass," Brennan said defensively. "It was a necessary preventative measure."
"Is she breathing Jesse?" Shalimar asked as she and Brennan walked up behind him.
"I don't know- I think so. Brennan she's still jumping. How much did you hit her with?"
"I didn't throw enough at her to kill her Jesse, Worst case she takes a long nap, but she should be fine." The tall mutant kneeled besides the prone girl. He held his hand over her, absorbing the left over electricity.
"I shouldn't have pushed her- I shouldn't have brought up that gu-"
Lexa's arm shot up and her hand wrapped around Jesse's neck. "Sparky shorted it out. Watch it." Her voice was hoarse and reedy.
"Are you okay?" Jesse croaked, loosening her fingers.
"Should be... fine but... so tired. Nap sounds good Brennan. Careful Jesse... Sparky might take your... title." Lexa tried to sit up but collapsed almost immediately.
"Yeah?" Jesse said, his voice tight, "What title is that?"
"Boy... Genius," Lexa rasped. "Brennan?"
"Yeah Lexa?" Brennan answered softly, looking up at his team mates worriedly, and then back down at Lexa.
"Lucky shot. Next time... I'll be ready... 2 out of 3... Okay?"
"I'm not sure I'll be available Lexa. I think Jesse might kick my ass for this," Brennan joked hollowly.
Lexa started to laugh, but the laughter was soon drowned out by a violent coughing fit. Looking up at Jesse, she stroked his face. "I want to... I want to..." Each time Lexa started to speak, another wave of coughing would roll over her body, each progressively more severe until flecks of blood emerged. "I want to... pass out now." She looks up at Brennan, her eyes tightening up. "Help me Brennan."
"Lexa, no- lexa, if you hit your head, you can't go to sleep." Jesse tried to argue with her- he grabbed her as if to shake her but released her instantly. He'd only touched her for a split second, but both his hands were red with blood. "Noooooo! Lexa, stay with me. Lexa!"
Pushing Jesse back, Brennan had to shout over his hysterical friend so that Shalimar could hear him. "Hold him Shalimar."
Nodding, Shalimar grabbed Jesse and yanked him backwards. "Jesse- we need to get back to the lab. We need to clear off the table so we can help Lexa. Jesse! Listen to me Jesse, I need you to calm down so you can help me help Lexa."
Jesse stood mutely, watching Brennan lean over Lexa and nod, as she whispered to the tall man. Looking up, Brennan wiped his face before telling Shalimar to get Jesse out of there. "You don't want to see this man. Get back to Sanctuary and get the medical supplies ready."
Shalimar used all her considerable strength to push Jesse in the right direction. Luckily she managed to get Jesse out of the clearing and running before Brennan zapped Lexa again, stopping her heart and rendering her unconscious.
With Lexa passed out, Brennan rolled her over, careful not injure her further. He found the base of the large chunk of a fallen tree branch upon which Lexa had impaled herself when she fell. The force of the original blast had driven the branch thru a gap in her ribs, puncturing a lung. Realizing that she would probably bleed out before they could get her back, Lexa had told Brennan to stop her heart and cauterize the wound. With out her heart working against her by pumping the blood from her body, Lexa had argued, they'd have more time.
Completing the Mutant X version of first aide, Brennan carefully lifted Lexa in his arms and sprinted back to Sanctuary. Turning the vest off, Brennan had called Shalimar over the com and told her to pull up all the information she could on how to treat a punctured lung. When he got there Shalimar and Jesse had already cleared and sterilized a table in the lab. Laying her face down, Brennan stepped back so that the other two could try to save her.
When they had done all they could, Jesse looked up at Brennan and nodded. Brennan stood over Lexa, and for the third time in less than an hour, shocked her. Fortunately, she responded instantaneously- her hear began to beat on its own, and she started breathing again.
"What now?" Brennan asked.
"Now... we wait," Shalimar replied.
"Go short out one of the computers again Brennan," Jesse said, slowly.
"What?" Shalimar looked up, surprised. "She wouldn't want you to contact him."
"Well she's not awake to stop me, is she? We need a doctor to come out here and look her over." Jesse picked up a pile of bloody rags and the remains of lexa's clothing and dumped them in the garbage. "We can't exactly walk into an emergency room, so we'll do what we have to in order to get a doctor here."
Nodding, Brennan slid under a nearby console and began to tinker. Before he could remove the cover of the CPU, the Beard appeared on the attached monitor.
"I thought we discussed how this was an inappropriate means of contacting the Dominion," the Beard announced.
"She's been hurt. She punctured a lung- she's lost a lot of blood. We did our best to treat her, but she should have professional medical attention," Jesse said in lieu of an introduction.
"I already have someone en route. Is that all?" the Beard asked.
Jesse bit his tongue and remained silent. The screen went black.
An hour later and the doctor had not yet arrived. Sitting, holding her hand, Jesse rubbed his temple. Lexa was burning up and was now mumbling in a fever induced delirium. Twice he'd heard the name "Jaime." He was beginning to worry.
"Jaime- are ye mad?" Lexa asked in her burr. "I dinna have a choice, ye know that right?"
She was looking right at him, but Jesse knew she didn't see him. "I'm not mad Lexa. You should rest. Hush now."
Lexa squeezed his hand. "He's so tall now- you'd be so proud. He looks just like you. Four years old- a little terror." Lexa tried to laugh, but started to cough.
Jesse stood, taking his hand from hers to go get some morphine.
"Jaime, don't go. Not again. I couldn'a bear it." Lexa pleaded with the ghost.
"I'm just going to get you something to help you relax Lexa." Jesse soothed. "I'm right here."
"I've missed you so much. It should have been me. I didn'a want this. First you, then Leo. You'll take good care of him, won't you?" Lexa asked.
Jesse nodded, swallowing hard as he prepared the syringe.
"I can't hear you anymore love. Sometimes I dream- and I don't see your face. It hurts so much. I donn'a want to be alone." Lexa was crying now- out loud, Jesse realized. In the last turbulent week and a half he'd never heard her sobs. Thinking back, he hadn't heard them after Leo died either.
"You have Jesse now Lexa." Jesse said quietly. "You don't have to be alone anymore."
Lexa smiled. "He's beautiful Jaime. He reminds me of you. You'd like him, I know you would. I took him home with me. We ate at your sister's café."
"You had French toast." Jesse slid the needle into her arm and emptied the syringe.
"Of course. You know I love Anna's French toast." Lexa's voice became sleepy. "I thought I could be with him Jaime. I started to fall in love with him. But he doesn't approve. I can't jeopardize JJ. It's not safe for him yet."
Perking up, Jesse realized that JJ was the key. 'Lexa," Jesse said urgently, wanting the truth so desperately he could taste it. He took her hand again, but paused when he touched the cold metal of the ring. He couldn't ask her, not now. It wasn't safe.
"Yes love?" Lexa mumbled.
"I... I love you Lexa." Jesse whispered.
Lexa smiled, her eyes drifting closed. "I love you too Jaime. I wish... I wish we were still married."
Married. Jesse froze. Jesus. Married.
* * * *