It was very early in the morning when Lexa jerked awake. She bolted
upright, kicking Jesse squarely in the solar plexus in the process.
"Damn it Lexa." Jesse groaned, struggling not to fall out of the bed. "What is it? Are you okay?"
"He's coming. He's coming here now." Lexa slid out of bed and began to get dressed at lightening speed. "You have to go, get out of here now."
"What? What are you talking about? Who's coming?" Jesse pulled his shirt on in confusion. "Talk to me Lexa."
"My grandfather, he's coming here. Now." Lexa turned to him as she yanked on a pair of jeans. "You have to get out of here. He's furious as it is- if he finds you in here, he'll kill you."
"What do you mean he's coming here? Now?" Jesse asked, running his fingers thru his hair. "How can you know that? It's four in the morning. Why would he come here now?"
"Apparently he doesn't share Clinton's definition of 'sexual relations.' And how do you think I know?" Lexa held her ring up. "These rings were made using Dominion technology, meaning they can tap in any time they want to."
"So he's coming here to bust my balls?" Jesse asked, pulling on his sox.
"Pretty much." Lexa looked at her reflection in the mirror, straightening up. "He's here, are you dressed yet?"
Nodding numbly, Jesse followed Lexa out of her room and into the lounge. The reality of the situation began to sink in when four armed men entered the room, accompanied by the man Jesse knew only as the Beard.
"Alexa, Mr. Kilmartin," the Beard said by way of salutations. "I trust my timing now is a little more to your liking. While it isn't my style to bend to the whims of others, I did wait till you were otherwise... unoccupied."
"Sir," Lexa said, coming to attention as the man in the wheel chair approached.
"Ahh, it's good to know that not all of your training has left you, Ms. Pierce." The Beard said dryly as he stopped in front of them. "I do wish that Mr. Kilmartin would follow your lead a little more often. Perhaps if he had the discipline you're currently displaying Lexa, your resolve would be more..."
"Rock solid?" Jesse offered, unable to resist, looking back and forth between grandfather and daughter. He was surprised when Lexa didn't even blink at his wise crack. Surprised, and worried. Whether the others intended to respond to his outburst or not, Jesse thought he'd take advantage of the momentary lull in what promised to be a difficult conversation.
"I'd have to disagree with that assessment. It's taken a great amount of discipline and resolve on my part to wear Lexa down to this point. Someone once made me promise that if a woman like Lexa ever came into my life, I wouldn't let her go, and I intend to keep that promise." Jesse's voice was firm and unquestionable, drawing on his privileged background.
"Perhaps you misunderstand the situation, Mr. Kilmartin. You think that my only interests here are the Dominion's. That is simply not true." With a wave, the Beard dismissed his guards. The soldiers fell out of formation and left without a word while Lexa went from standing at attention, to the ironically named 'at ease.' Once the guards had left, the Beard continued. "Have you ever stopped to ask what would happen if my granddaughter became pregnant with your child?"
"Sir, we've used protection every time." Lexa said drawing herself back to attention while she spoke.
"If she got pregnant, I would marry her, if she'd have me." Jesse said, forcibly taking Lexa's hand in his own. When Lexa tried to draw her hand away, he kept his grip firm.
"And then what? Oh the Dominion would probably allow you to marry, perhaps even encourage you to have more children. In fact I'm sure they'd encourage you to have as many children as you'd like." The Beard laughed. "Alexa, tell your young man who those soldiers were so that he may better understand the situation."
Hesitating, Lexa looked at Jesse. "They're my cousins- second cousins really. My cousin Steven met another and fell in love with another mutant while working for the GSA. They had four sons, all of whom were educated from the age of 14 in Dominion controlled boarding schools."
"I know how much Alexa and Leo hated loosing what they thought of as their 'real' family. Steven was their father's brother; I was only blessed with the one daughter myself. When these boys, the four of them, were ready to enter the Program, I looked out for them out of a sense of familial loyalty. I'm an old man however, and I can't promise I'll be around to safeguard any offspring you and Lexa were to have."
"The way you couldn't promise Lex that you'd look after Leo?" Jesse said flippantly.
"Jesse don't." Lexa placed her hand on Jesse's arm. "He's right you know, if we were to have children together-"
"Then those children would be well loved. We'd protect them." Jesse argued fiercely.
"How? You haven't been able to stop me from observing your goings on for any substantial period of time. I came uninvited just now. The Healer I sent, while a convenient visitor was nonetheless a spy. Just how do you propose to hide your children from the Dominion?" The Beard shook his head. "It was one thing when Lexa fell in love with that Scott. He was a risk to the Dominion which could be eliminated. If you two decided to get married, what do you think would happen next? Would you open your own version of Xavier's School for the Gifted? This isn't some come book, Mr. Kilmartin. This is the real and often harsh world."
"Just because we're together doesn't mean any of that has to happen." Jesse retorted.
"If you can choose to pass thru solid objects Jesse, how effective do you think those condoms you've been using have been against the sperm your body produces?" The Beard raised an eyebrow.
"I'm on the Pill." Lexa said softly. "I've been on the Pill since Jaime."
"Thank god for small favors." The Beard said derisively.
Jesse took a step towards the crippled man. "Why did you come here? To show us that you can? In case you missed it, I love your granddaughter, and I intend to be with her as long as she'll have me- and frankly, probably longer. I don't understand what's so threatening about that to you. Why don't you stop trying to control Lexa and start trying to be happy for her. Let me tell you, this is getting pretty old pretty fast."
"You're hot for her, that's not love. If you truly loved her, you'd stop placing her in jeopardy by demanding this relationship. Do you think I want my line to end with her? I don't, but I'm willing to let that happen to ensure that no one else in my family goes thru what she went thru."
"What you put her thru." Jesse shouted. "I can demand this relationship as you put it because I won't be putting her thru what you did, nor would I do that to any children we may be blessed with."
"He's right." Lexa interjected, surprising the two men. "All this time- I've been worried about what would happen to my child- but it doesn't have to be like how it was for me. If my baby is a mutant, I'd know how to help him accept his gifts without rejecting his humanity. And just because I've worked for the Dominion- just because you have, that doesn't mean he has to. If they so much as try, I'll destroy them all. You and I both know I'm capable of it, especially with Jesse's help."
From the shadows, Brennan and Shalimar stepped forward. "Especially with all of our help," the blond said threateningly.
Turning, Lexa smiled at her teammates and squeezed Jesse's hand. "I think we're thru here, this discussion is over." Stepping forward, Lexa grabbed the Beard's wheelchair and started pushing him quickly to the hanger. "From now on, my relationship with Jesse, or any man who may follow him is none of your concern. My children- again, none of your concern. If I so much as suspect you or anyone on the Council is threatening someone I care about, you'll rue the day you ever cooked me up in that lab of yours.
As they entered the hanger, Lexa gave the chair one last shove. Waiving to her kinsmen, Lexa stepped back into the arms of Jesse, who had followed her. "It was nice of you to visit gentlemen, but I'll ask you not to do so again uninvited. Goodbye."
The team stood in the hanger and watched as the Beard retreated into his armored copter and took off without a word. As it was taking off, the four of them saw the men have a brief discussion.
"Can you make out what they're saying Shal?" Jesse asked as they watched the bird leave.
"Sorry Jesse, I can't." Shalimar said, straining to prove herself wrong.
"He's telling them their mission was a success." Lexa said softly. "The pilot just asked if my grandfather thinks I'll make it this time. He said- he said he knows I will, especially with you by my side. He's laughing- he finds it ironic that it was my soft spot for a man who can make himself more solid than a rock that gave me the strength to finally stand up for myself."
Giving her a squeeze, Jesse kissed her cheek. "Did he leave his com link on so you could hear that?"
"No- it was the pilot- Murry." Pausing for a moment as the copter disappeared on the horizon, Lexa exhaled. "We were close at the Academy Boarding School- he's the same age as Leo and I. He was a part of the team that was sent to bring me back the last time. I guess he felt he owed me one."
"So it's over?" Brennan asked. "The two of you can stop worrying about the rest of the world trying to screw you over and just screw each other over?"
"Very nice Bren." Shalimar rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, it's over Sparks." Jesse put his arm around Lexa's shoulders as they walked back in. "Anyone in the mood for some champagne? I'm in the mood to celebrate."
Lexa smiled and sent Jesse ahead. "You go pour. I'll be right there."
As the boys took off, Shalimar hung back with Lexa, watching the brunet very carefully. "You okay, Lexa? You don't seem that thrilled."
Lexa shrugged and gave Shalimar a lopsided smile. "It's just a lot to take in, you know? It's been a long day. I guess it just hasn't sunk in yet." As they walked on, Lexa confessed something to the blond that she wouldn't have three weeks ago. "He said he loved me Shal. In front of my grandfather, who I was convinced was there to kill us both. We haven't- I mean, I wouldn't let him say it before."
"You must have known." Shal said quietly. "Any idiot could tell just by the way he looks at you."
"I must be some kind of idiot." Lexa replied. "No, that's not true. I knew- I just, I didn't want to know, if that makes any sense. It was easier when it was just really really really good sex with a really really really hot and very close friend."
Shalimar laughed. "Maybe it's the same thing Lexa. Did you ever think of that? Maybe that's why it was that good and you think he's that hot."
Lexa smiled and nodded. "There you go, being all intuitive again. You ferals and your instincts."
The two women soon joined their teammates who handed them both full glasses of champagne. As they shared a toast, the words of which were lost to her, Lexa looked at the man who had put it all on the line for her. Drinking the champagne, she couldn't help but think, 'Now that it's over, I wonder how it will end."
* * * * *
"Damn it Lexa." Jesse groaned, struggling not to fall out of the bed. "What is it? Are you okay?"
"He's coming. He's coming here now." Lexa slid out of bed and began to get dressed at lightening speed. "You have to go, get out of here now."
"What? What are you talking about? Who's coming?" Jesse pulled his shirt on in confusion. "Talk to me Lexa."
"My grandfather, he's coming here. Now." Lexa turned to him as she yanked on a pair of jeans. "You have to get out of here. He's furious as it is- if he finds you in here, he'll kill you."
"What do you mean he's coming here? Now?" Jesse asked, running his fingers thru his hair. "How can you know that? It's four in the morning. Why would he come here now?"
"Apparently he doesn't share Clinton's definition of 'sexual relations.' And how do you think I know?" Lexa held her ring up. "These rings were made using Dominion technology, meaning they can tap in any time they want to."
"So he's coming here to bust my balls?" Jesse asked, pulling on his sox.
"Pretty much." Lexa looked at her reflection in the mirror, straightening up. "He's here, are you dressed yet?"
Nodding numbly, Jesse followed Lexa out of her room and into the lounge. The reality of the situation began to sink in when four armed men entered the room, accompanied by the man Jesse knew only as the Beard.
"Alexa, Mr. Kilmartin," the Beard said by way of salutations. "I trust my timing now is a little more to your liking. While it isn't my style to bend to the whims of others, I did wait till you were otherwise... unoccupied."
"Sir," Lexa said, coming to attention as the man in the wheel chair approached.
"Ahh, it's good to know that not all of your training has left you, Ms. Pierce." The Beard said dryly as he stopped in front of them. "I do wish that Mr. Kilmartin would follow your lead a little more often. Perhaps if he had the discipline you're currently displaying Lexa, your resolve would be more..."
"Rock solid?" Jesse offered, unable to resist, looking back and forth between grandfather and daughter. He was surprised when Lexa didn't even blink at his wise crack. Surprised, and worried. Whether the others intended to respond to his outburst or not, Jesse thought he'd take advantage of the momentary lull in what promised to be a difficult conversation.
"I'd have to disagree with that assessment. It's taken a great amount of discipline and resolve on my part to wear Lexa down to this point. Someone once made me promise that if a woman like Lexa ever came into my life, I wouldn't let her go, and I intend to keep that promise." Jesse's voice was firm and unquestionable, drawing on his privileged background.
"Perhaps you misunderstand the situation, Mr. Kilmartin. You think that my only interests here are the Dominion's. That is simply not true." With a wave, the Beard dismissed his guards. The soldiers fell out of formation and left without a word while Lexa went from standing at attention, to the ironically named 'at ease.' Once the guards had left, the Beard continued. "Have you ever stopped to ask what would happen if my granddaughter became pregnant with your child?"
"Sir, we've used protection every time." Lexa said drawing herself back to attention while she spoke.
"If she got pregnant, I would marry her, if she'd have me." Jesse said, forcibly taking Lexa's hand in his own. When Lexa tried to draw her hand away, he kept his grip firm.
"And then what? Oh the Dominion would probably allow you to marry, perhaps even encourage you to have more children. In fact I'm sure they'd encourage you to have as many children as you'd like." The Beard laughed. "Alexa, tell your young man who those soldiers were so that he may better understand the situation."
Hesitating, Lexa looked at Jesse. "They're my cousins- second cousins really. My cousin Steven met another and fell in love with another mutant while working for the GSA. They had four sons, all of whom were educated from the age of 14 in Dominion controlled boarding schools."
"I know how much Alexa and Leo hated loosing what they thought of as their 'real' family. Steven was their father's brother; I was only blessed with the one daughter myself. When these boys, the four of them, were ready to enter the Program, I looked out for them out of a sense of familial loyalty. I'm an old man however, and I can't promise I'll be around to safeguard any offspring you and Lexa were to have."
"The way you couldn't promise Lex that you'd look after Leo?" Jesse said flippantly.
"Jesse don't." Lexa placed her hand on Jesse's arm. "He's right you know, if we were to have children together-"
"Then those children would be well loved. We'd protect them." Jesse argued fiercely.
"How? You haven't been able to stop me from observing your goings on for any substantial period of time. I came uninvited just now. The Healer I sent, while a convenient visitor was nonetheless a spy. Just how do you propose to hide your children from the Dominion?" The Beard shook his head. "It was one thing when Lexa fell in love with that Scott. He was a risk to the Dominion which could be eliminated. If you two decided to get married, what do you think would happen next? Would you open your own version of Xavier's School for the Gifted? This isn't some come book, Mr. Kilmartin. This is the real and often harsh world."
"Just because we're together doesn't mean any of that has to happen." Jesse retorted.
"If you can choose to pass thru solid objects Jesse, how effective do you think those condoms you've been using have been against the sperm your body produces?" The Beard raised an eyebrow.
"I'm on the Pill." Lexa said softly. "I've been on the Pill since Jaime."
"Thank god for small favors." The Beard said derisively.
Jesse took a step towards the crippled man. "Why did you come here? To show us that you can? In case you missed it, I love your granddaughter, and I intend to be with her as long as she'll have me- and frankly, probably longer. I don't understand what's so threatening about that to you. Why don't you stop trying to control Lexa and start trying to be happy for her. Let me tell you, this is getting pretty old pretty fast."
"You're hot for her, that's not love. If you truly loved her, you'd stop placing her in jeopardy by demanding this relationship. Do you think I want my line to end with her? I don't, but I'm willing to let that happen to ensure that no one else in my family goes thru what she went thru."
"What you put her thru." Jesse shouted. "I can demand this relationship as you put it because I won't be putting her thru what you did, nor would I do that to any children we may be blessed with."
"He's right." Lexa interjected, surprising the two men. "All this time- I've been worried about what would happen to my child- but it doesn't have to be like how it was for me. If my baby is a mutant, I'd know how to help him accept his gifts without rejecting his humanity. And just because I've worked for the Dominion- just because you have, that doesn't mean he has to. If they so much as try, I'll destroy them all. You and I both know I'm capable of it, especially with Jesse's help."
From the shadows, Brennan and Shalimar stepped forward. "Especially with all of our help," the blond said threateningly.
Turning, Lexa smiled at her teammates and squeezed Jesse's hand. "I think we're thru here, this discussion is over." Stepping forward, Lexa grabbed the Beard's wheelchair and started pushing him quickly to the hanger. "From now on, my relationship with Jesse, or any man who may follow him is none of your concern. My children- again, none of your concern. If I so much as suspect you or anyone on the Council is threatening someone I care about, you'll rue the day you ever cooked me up in that lab of yours.
As they entered the hanger, Lexa gave the chair one last shove. Waiving to her kinsmen, Lexa stepped back into the arms of Jesse, who had followed her. "It was nice of you to visit gentlemen, but I'll ask you not to do so again uninvited. Goodbye."
The team stood in the hanger and watched as the Beard retreated into his armored copter and took off without a word. As it was taking off, the four of them saw the men have a brief discussion.
"Can you make out what they're saying Shal?" Jesse asked as they watched the bird leave.
"Sorry Jesse, I can't." Shalimar said, straining to prove herself wrong.
"He's telling them their mission was a success." Lexa said softly. "The pilot just asked if my grandfather thinks I'll make it this time. He said- he said he knows I will, especially with you by my side. He's laughing- he finds it ironic that it was my soft spot for a man who can make himself more solid than a rock that gave me the strength to finally stand up for myself."
Giving her a squeeze, Jesse kissed her cheek. "Did he leave his com link on so you could hear that?"
"No- it was the pilot- Murry." Pausing for a moment as the copter disappeared on the horizon, Lexa exhaled. "We were close at the Academy Boarding School- he's the same age as Leo and I. He was a part of the team that was sent to bring me back the last time. I guess he felt he owed me one."
"So it's over?" Brennan asked. "The two of you can stop worrying about the rest of the world trying to screw you over and just screw each other over?"
"Very nice Bren." Shalimar rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, it's over Sparks." Jesse put his arm around Lexa's shoulders as they walked back in. "Anyone in the mood for some champagne? I'm in the mood to celebrate."
Lexa smiled and sent Jesse ahead. "You go pour. I'll be right there."
As the boys took off, Shalimar hung back with Lexa, watching the brunet very carefully. "You okay, Lexa? You don't seem that thrilled."
Lexa shrugged and gave Shalimar a lopsided smile. "It's just a lot to take in, you know? It's been a long day. I guess it just hasn't sunk in yet." As they walked on, Lexa confessed something to the blond that she wouldn't have three weeks ago. "He said he loved me Shal. In front of my grandfather, who I was convinced was there to kill us both. We haven't- I mean, I wouldn't let him say it before."
"You must have known." Shal said quietly. "Any idiot could tell just by the way he looks at you."
"I must be some kind of idiot." Lexa replied. "No, that's not true. I knew- I just, I didn't want to know, if that makes any sense. It was easier when it was just really really really good sex with a really really really hot and very close friend."
Shalimar laughed. "Maybe it's the same thing Lexa. Did you ever think of that? Maybe that's why it was that good and you think he's that hot."
Lexa smiled and nodded. "There you go, being all intuitive again. You ferals and your instincts."
The two women soon joined their teammates who handed them both full glasses of champagne. As they shared a toast, the words of which were lost to her, Lexa looked at the man who had put it all on the line for her. Drinking the champagne, she couldn't help but think, 'Now that it's over, I wonder how it will end."
* * * * *