Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the characters.

The Assault

The door to one of the safehouses opened and all four members of Mutant X walked in. They were all shivering from the long cold walk they had taken and the warmth of the room was eagerly welcomed.

Jesse closed the door and locked it before following the rest of them down the stairs.

Lexa collapsed into a tight ball on the couch trying to warm herself. Shalimar did much the same on the opposite couch, but she was curled into Brennan's arms. Jesse came and took a seat next to Lexa before reaching out and pulling her closer. She hesitated for a moment but then relaxed against him.

Silence filled the room for a long time.

"So, what now?" Shalimar asked in a barely audible voice.

Brennan pulled her trembling body closer. "We get some sleep and figure it out tomorrow."

Jesse nodded in agreement. "Shal, Lex, can you, two, go dig out some of the blankets. Brennan and I will pull out the sofa beds."

The girls nodded and reluctantly stood out of the warm embraces that they had been so comfortable in.

Brennan and Jesse opened the two sofa beds and the girls came back a few minutes later, laying the blankets out.

"You two, can have the beds," Brennan offered. "Jesse and I will take the recliners."

They nodded and took their jackets off, before climbing into the separate beds and immediately burying themselves beneath the covers.

Jesse took the recliner closest to Lexa and draped the blanked over himself as he tried to find a comfortable position.

Brennan took the one near Shal and just laid on his back. After zapping the light switch he put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes.

Everything was quiet with the exception of Jesse's body still moving in the chair, trying to get comfortable. Shalimar tossed silently in the bed. Her mind still hadn't settled down. She could tell that Brennan was still awake and she wanted nothing more than to be in his arms.

Brennan laid awake and tried to calm his mind. He guessed that Jesse and Lexa were asleep and hoped that Shalimar was as well. She had had enough today and he could tell that she was well past the point of exhaustion. A few minutes passed before he felt someone climb onto his lap and lay down against his chest. He didn't even need to open his eyes to tell who it was or to tell that she was crying.

Shalimar felt Brennan wrap his arms around her lovingly, and begin to stroke her back. She gripped his shirt in her hands and buried her face in his shoulder trying to muffle her sobs.

"What's wrong, Kitten?" He asked softly as he put a hand behind her head.

She turned her face to the side and nuzzled her head against his chest. "Brenn, I'm so scared. Our world has just been flipped upside down and our lives have hit rock bottom."

He could hear her voice trembling as she spoke.

"We have nothing. Sanctuary is gone. We don't even have our lives. We could die any day."

"No, Baby, hush." He tightened his hold on her as she started to cry harder. "We still have each other. As long as were all together, we'll have everything we need."

"But what about when we start dying off, Brennan? The thought that one of us might not wake up tomorrow scares the hell out of me."

"Shalimar, that's enough." He kissed her head and held her close. "We have no idea whether or not Adam was able to fix our DNA like he did to Jesse's. There's no reason to worry yourself to tears like this because you afraid of one of us dying. Shal, we could live to be one hundred...old and gray and wrinkly..."He joked trying to make her smile. He patted himself on the back silently as he heard a soft chuckle escape her lips.

"What if he wasn't able to help us Brennan? I don't want to lose you."

"I don't want to lose you either, Shal, but we have no control over it...and if one of us does die then they'll just be waiting in Heaven for the others to come up and join the party." He paused for a moment and let her take in everything he had just said. "Now, no more 'what ifs'. Let's just live now. We'll get to tomorrow when it comes."

Shalimar smiled and took a deep breath as she nodded. Lifting her head she placed a soft kiss on his lips. "Thank you, Brennan."

He blindly reached out in the dark to touch her face, smiling as she put her cheek to his hand. "I love you, Shal." He let his fingers move back and tangle in her hair as he brought her forward for another kiss. "I love you so much." After pulling her into a tight embrace he released her and let her relax against him.

"I love you too, Brennan." Within minutes they were asleep in each others arms.

Lexa's eyes had adjusted to the darkness of the room and she could see the figures around her. Shalimar had moved to lay with Brennan on the recliner but she guessed that if they were smart they would eventually move to the bed. She had seen them kiss and heard the 'I love you' that was shared between them. She was happy for them. After everything that they had gone through they deserved to be together.

Jesse turned again and his sore muscles burned in response to the movement. He groaned and moved slowly to his side.

"Jesse,"

He was surprised to hear Lexa's soft voice. "Yeah?" He huffed trying to move his arm and leg without causing too much pain.

"Jess...I'm so sorry,"

"For what?" he asked bewildered.

"This,"

He was stunned slightly when he felt Lexa's hand brush over his bruised cheek and then his shoulder. "It wasn't you're fault."

"I know, but I wish I could have done something to stop it."

He smiled and took her hand before giving it a light squeeze. "It's ok,"

Lexa smiled knowing that he would be alright. "Jesse, come lay down with me. The bed is big enough for both of us and it's the least I can do for you."

"No, Lexa it's ok. I'll be fine."

"Please, I hate this Jesse. You've been put through enough pain today already. Please...just come lay down."

He could tell something more was going on than her just wanting him to be comfortable. The Lexa Pierce he knew made excuses for a kiss. She would never even think about asking him to sleep in the same bed with her. Wanting to know what was up he slowly got out of the recliner and moved to the bed.

Lexa walked to the other side and slid in beside him. "Goodnight, Jess."

He was about to ask what was wrong but found he could barley open one eye, much less talk. Using every bit of strength he had left he rolled one last time and draped an arm over her waist.

The action stunned her. Lexa found herself wondering if the moment was actually real. After a few seconds she realized that he wasn't moving and she began to settle down under the warmth of his arm.

Jesse was shocked when Lexa moved back and pressed her body against him, before sighing and completely relaxing. He tightened his arm around her and held her close. "Goodnight, Lexa" he whispered into her hair. In a matter of minutes they both fell into peaceful sleep.

The next morning brought on sore muscles and four hungry mutants. As Lexa had suspected, Shalimar and Brennan did end up back on the bed, but they were slightly shocked to find their other two team mates in the same position.

Shalimar smiled as she watched them sleep. They looked amazingly good together. She thought back for a moment to when Lexa had first come to join Mutant X. She had been so cold and controlling. Shalimar would have never pictured the scene that was before her eyes now and if Lexa hadn't changed so much over the year she would have never allowed it.

Brennan was watching them as well. After all Jesse had been through he deserved to find someone he loved and who loved him back. He wasn't quiet sure that Lexa was the best choice but she had come a long way since they met.

Jesse stirred and woke, soon followed by Lexa. They smiled, but both felt a little awkward with Shalimar and Brennan having just seen them asleep together.

"Morning," Jesse said groggily breaking the silence that was around them.

"Morning," Shalimar replied.

"Yeah," Brennan groaned from behind her rubbing his eyes. Shalimar smiled at him. He had never been much of a morning person.

Silence filled the room once again.

"I'm hungry," Jesse said suddenly.

Lexa chuckled slightly at the comment as did Shalimar. Brennan just agreed with him and got up to raid the frige. "There's nothing here!" Brennan complained.

"Nothing that's still good anyway," Jesse said pulling out a moldy sandwich that had been left in a plastic baggy.

Shalimar raised an eyebrow and wrinkled her nose.

Lexa made a face. "Ew!"

"Ok, so who wants to go food shopping?" Brennan asked.

"Why don't we just run out and get something from one of the fast food places and worry about shopping later." Shalimar suggested as she walked over to the coffee pot and began to make some.

This was quickly agreed upon. They played rock paper scissors to see who would go and Jesse and Lexa got the privilege. "Lex, do you still have the keys to the mustang?" Jesse asked suddenly remembering that she had taken Brennan's car to meet the dominion in the first place.

Lexa's eyes widened and she reached into her coat pocket. Smiling brightly she pulled out a pair of keys and jingled them in front of her.

Brennan smiled. "Ya know, for once I'm glad you took my car."

"We'll get it and then get the food and come back." Jesse said stating what was already pretty obvious.

A few minutes later it was only Shal and Brennan in the safehouse. He pulled her closer and kissed her head.

"How are we doing this?" She asked.

"Doing what?"

"Acting like everything is fine." She looked up. "Brennan, we've lost everything and yet we seem to be doing really good."

He smiled and tightened his grip on her. "Shalimar, I told you, as long as we have each other everything will always be fine." He leaned down and placed a gentile kiss on her lips. "And we haven't lost everything. We still have all the safehouses we can live in and the money that we've all put into the bank will be enough to support us until some of us find jobs. We can run Mutant X from here and everything will be fine."

Shalimar smiled at him. "You always see the brightest sides of things."

He chuckled and kissed her again. "I'm seeing the brighter side of this morning, too," he said looking into her eyes.

Shalimar blushed and leaned into him. "I love you,"

"I love you, too." He pulled her into a tight embrace and buried his face in her hair as he inhaled deeply. He pulled back abruptly with a sneeze and scrunched his nose. "Geez, Shal, your hair holds a lot of dust,"

Shalimar's eyes widened and she smacked him playfully. "I guess we both need baths." She smiled as she wiped a dirt mark off his forehead.

He nodded and then grinned slyly.

Shalimar backed away slowly as he stepped toward her. "Brennan..."

Lunging forward he caught her and pushed her into the wall trapping her there. "Ya, know Shal...there's really no reason to waist the water by taking separate showers." He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. It was a slow kiss at first, but it became more passionate very quickly.

"I think...you're...right." She breathed between kisses. She slid her hands under his shirt and started to lift it before letting him take it and pull it off.

Brennan pulled her into the bathroom still clutching his shirt in one hand. After closing the door he dropped his shirt and started to untie hers. A few minutes later they were both under the water in the shower.

Jesse and Lexa had managed to find the mustang and both of them sighed in relief as they climbed in and rested their legs. The taxi had been helpful but not helpful enough for their sore bodies.

"Lexa, are you ok?" Jesse asked as she handed him the keys.

"Yeah...yeah, I'm fine." she replied quickly.

Jesse could tell she was lying, but decided to let it go for the moment. He started the car and they were off. It only took them about twenty minutes to get the food and they were soon headed back to the safehouse.

Jesse glanced over at Lexa as he was driving. She looked upset...disturbed. Something was really bothering her. "Lexa, please talk to me."

She looked at him forcing a small smile. "About what?"

"Whatever's wrong. Lex, I could feel it last night. Something is bothering you. What is it?"

She frowned. "Pull over,"

"Huh?"

"If you want to talk, pull over."

Her voice was shaky and he could tell she was scared. After pulling onto the shoulder of the rode he turned to her. He saw tears forming in her eyes as he took her hand. "Lexa, what's going on?"

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I'm dying, Jess."

His eyes widened. "What?"

"I'm dying. Adam didn't figure out how to fix my DNA and the counsel leader from the dominion said that according to their records I don't have that much time left."

"Lexa," he was shocked.

"I know, I wasn't exactly expecting it either." She turned her face as tears started to drip from her eyes. The door opened and she heard him get out and shut it. The only image that ran through her head as she closed her eyes was one of Jesse slamming his fist into the side of the car. She was shocked when her door opened and Jesse took her hand to pull her out.

He took her into his arms and held her tightly. "Lexa, I'm not gonna let anything happen to you,"

She wrapped her arms around him tightly and cried harder. "There's nothing you can do to stop it, Jess."

"Yes, there is." He pulled back and met her eyes as he brushed his thumbs over her cheeks. "We're going to find Adam and get him to help you."

Lexa put her head down and shook it.

"I will not let you die, Lexa," he said fiercely as he embraced her again. "I love you too much for that."

She looked up stunned. "Jess I..." She was cut off when she felt Jesse's warm lips on hers. Their kiss was gentle but it said everything that they had been afraid of saying in words. They broke apart a moment later and she leaned into his chest.

"Everything's gonna be ok, Baby," he said softly as he held her.

Lexa looked up and raised an eyebrow as her tears subsided and she smiled.

"What?" Jesse asked.

"Baby?"

He blushed and looked down.

She lifted his chin and gave him a warm smile. "I like it." Leaning forward she placed another soft kiss on his lips. "We better get back to the safehouse. Shal and Brennan are gonna kill us for taking so long."

Jesse smiled and nodded. "Yeah." He helped her back into the car and closed her door before walking around again and climbing in.

Shalimar shuddered as Brennan ran his soapy hands over her body washing away the dirt. She put some shampoo in her hands and turned, before reaching up and rubbing it into his hair. He did the same to hers only with conditioner. They ended up in a passionate kiss tangled with soapy hair and bodies.

Shalimar smiled as she pulled away and pushed Brennan back, under the water. He rinsed off and got all the shampoo out of his hair before taking Shalimar's hand and pulling her under the running water.

A few minutes later they stepped out. Brennan took a towel and wrapped it around his waist before grabbing another and wrapping it around Shalimar's body. "We need to do that more often." Brennan grinned.

Shalimar giggled and pushed up to kiss him. "We do."

Brennan smiled and took a comb out of the medicine cabinet before stepping behind Shalimar and taking her silky wet hair into his hands. Only a short time later her curls were combed out and her hair was placed in a neat ponytail.

"Thanks, Brennan,"

"No problem." He smiled. "So umm...what are we going to wear until our clothes get washed?" He asked stepping forward and reaching out to take her hips.

She stepped back and smiled. "There are robes up there," She replied pointing to the shelf above them.

Brennan looked up and frowned. "That's not exactly the answer I was looking for." He said as he reached up and grabbed a navy blue cloth robe for himself and a light pink silk one for Shal.

Shalimar smiled and dropped her towel. She knew exactly what answer he wanted, but unfortunately they had two other people who would be coming in any minute.

Brennan's eyes widened when he turned around and he smiled. "That's more like it."

She laughed and shook her head as she took the robe from him and put it one.

After Brennan tied his robe he picked up the dirty clothes and opened the door.

Jesse and Lexa looked up, raising their eyebrows as the two came out together.

Shalimar and Brennan stopped dead in their tracks and blushed, looking down.

"Caught like kids in the cookie jar," Lexa smirked.

Jesse chuckled as Brennan and Shal shifted uncomfortably.

"I'm gonna go throw these in the wash," Brennan said making an excuse to leave.

Jesse and Lexa smiled and shook their heads as they finished setting the table. After Brennan came back they all sat and had a wonderful breakfast.

Shalimar and Brennan got stuck with clean up and while Lexa took her turn in the shower Jesse closed up the sofa beds.

She came out in a black silky robe with a red rose print.

Jesse smiled at her. She was always so beautiful.

"Your turn, Jess," she called as she tied her hair back.

He got up and started toward the bathroom. Lexa took his arm and stopped him as he walked by her. "I need to tell Shal and Brennan what's going on." she whispered.

"Do you want me to stay with you for a minute?" he asked stroking her arms.

"No, I'll be ok. I just wanted to let you know that I was going to tell them. They deserve to know...to be ready for it when it happens."

"Nothing is going to happen."

Lexa smiled. "Ok...If it happens."

He nodded. "Ok," Leaning down he placed a long soft kiss on her lips before walking into the bathroom and shutting the door.

Lexa was left to face Shalimar and Brennan who were giving her the same smirks and raised eyebrows that she and Jesse had been giving them earlier. Blushing she looked down and walked over to sit on the couch opposite them.

"Now who's been caught," Brennan joked.

Shalimar smacked him and smiled at Lexa.

"Guys, there's something you need to know." She said playing with her fingers.

Shalimar felt the change in her emotions. "Lexa, what's wrong?"

"I umm...I'm dying." She paused for a moment and looked up, seeing the shock and worry written across her friends' faces. "The head of the dominion council said that Adam didn't fix my DNA and that I don't have much time left. He didn't give me an exact date but he said time was running out."

"Oh, Lexa," Shalimar moved to the other couch and brought her into a hug.

Brennan stepped over, too and squeezed her shoulder. "We'll find Adam again, Lexa. He'll help you."

She smiled and looked over at him as Shalimar released her.

"Yeah, we wouldn't let anything happen to you." Shalimar smiled and bumped her gently.

"Jesse, said the same thing," she paused. "Thanks, guys,"

Just then Jesse came out. "Hey." He came and sat beside Lexa, kissing her head as Shalimar and Brennan moved back to the other couch. "So, what do we do now?"

"Well, I guess the first thing we have to do is find Adam...both of them." Brennan said awkwardly.

"Yeah, and as quickly as possible. None of us know how much time we have left." Shalimar agreed.

Brennan was the only one who heard the tinge of fear in her voice. He tightened his arms around her, trying to comfort her.

They sat like that for a moment in silence. "Ok, Brennan and I are gonna get dressed and go to the store." Shalimar said standing out of his arms. "We do need to be able to eat. Jesse, do you think you can start on the computer?"

"Sure, but I don't exactly know where to begin." Jesse got up and walked over to the desk with the computer.

"I'll stay and help him." Lexa offered as she got up and then took a seat beside Jesse.

Brennan nodded and headed to find their clothes.

Shalimar stood still for a moment, thinking about everything. It turned out that Brennan really was right. As long as they all had each other they could get through anything and everything would be fine.

I changed my mind...the final episode didn't end the way I thought it was going to, so I can put the chapter in this story. Thank you all soooo much for the reviews and for sticking with me. Well I'll see you all next season...............lol, I'm just kidding....I have 2 more stories in the works but I'm not sure when they'll be done. I hope you all enjoyed this!

Fiery Feral