FIRE UP CLOSE

By: SAGE360

Disclaimer: M-X, Don't Own them.. Enjoy!

I'M BAAACK! Hey All!

First and foremost, if you've been following the uncertain future of Mutant X and want to do something about it, sigh the petitions at Pure MX.net, and other MX sites. I'll have addresses for you next upload. Also write Tribune, fan outcry makesthe difference. If you love the show, show it!

Now, this piece will run through the season finale. I won't really lace episodes in until after "Dream Lover"- I thinks it's the one we've been waiting for! (S/B) Anyway, at the beginning of "She's Come Undone", Shalimar tells Lex to "Lay of the Tequila" - interesting line to run with...Enjoy! This piece could be relatable to my one shot "Down The Hall" and maybe "The Train" later on. REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

NOT SO AFRAID

The feral sat back watching Lexa as she plucked the lime from her drink . Sitting at the table watching the crowd, their first official 'girls night out' had been interesting... After sitting down with the brunette, it was occurring to Shalimar that her initial agitation wasn't more so about Lexa's personality, but her very power. She was a molecular elemental, and that elemental part scratched at the feral. She'd thought the woman's powers were solar, reflecting those very elements of light, heat, and pure energy. But now, after knowing her and seeing just how they projected, the blonde knew why this new woman unnerved her. Her abilities reminded Shalimar of fire, which left her terrified.

Yet, she didn't fear Lex. She couldn't.

Sitting across from her, the feral sipped her own drink in thought. Pierce ( or Complexa, as Brennan sometimes called her) was the exact opposite of her abilities, where as the guys and herself embodied their powers' characteristics. Lexa didn't thrive to be seen, in fact she was much more alluring when being drawn to. Finally speaking, the feral broke her silence. "What are you exactly?" She asked.

Smirking, the woman raised an eyebrow. "Since you can't tell- "I'm a 'girl'."

"HA HA."

"Ha Ha, what do you mean 'what are you?'"

"I mean your powers, the elemental part...Are they thermal or solar?"

Placing her glass on the table, the brunette grinned. "Either way, I'm hot stuff."

"I just bet..." Shalimar grinned.

"Seriously, they're solar based. Thermal transfer is a part of it, but not as much as sunlight. Why?"

"Just wondering..."

"I know my powers bother you, especially when you saw they could project." She said, leaning onto the table top. "It makes since. They carry the same properties, and your being feral makes the correlation understandable."

"Then why am I able to...'approach' you?"

"Cause I'm cute." Lexa smirked. "Seriously, though. You, Brennan and Jess are depictions of your powers. Me...I'm not. It's just the personality. If I did relate, we'd have killed each other a long time ago."

Shalimar's eyes lowered at that. "I agree. But I don't get it. Most of the mutant's we've ever met, exemplify their abilities. Adam used to say that the personality could dictate actual mutant ability."

"Nothing's true for every single person. Especially with blended classifications. Sometimes a person only exhibits part of their particular mutancy..." Lexa watched her for the moment, chewing on the last bit of fruit in her mouth. "Do you want to touch it?"

Shalimar's eyes narrowed at her. "Touch what?"

"My 'heat ' of sorts. I can project just enough so you can feel it. Won't hurt or anything."

The feral watched her in thought. The idea of fiery energy shook her nerves. She still had a ways to go in overcoming her fears. "I...don't know."

"Hey, in here no one can tell. We're in a club full of flashing lights. Watch..." Brown eyes fell on slender fingers as a small light appeared, curving gracefully along the limbs. White- orange amber glowed between manicured nails, reflecting in the feral's eyes. Her inner animal began to unsettle.

Lexa held her hand out patiently, seeing the temptation in her team mate. The energy seemed to dance between them, embodying a feminine essence. Releasing her glass, Shalimar reached forward, in slow anticipation. The very light beckoned her, warmth impregnated by nervous fingertips. It was pure attraction.

Her human embraced and animal on edge, a sheer want began in her. She needed to 'feel' this 'intensity' and held her breath when fingertips were fully enveloped in the white center. A hot Arid heat teased her skin, without scarring -mainly due to Lexa holding back. Blue eyes watched her softly, as she smirked at the connection. She could see Shalimar wanted her to hold it just a little longer. "See..." Lexa whispered.

The flame danced around Shalimar's fingers as if her own. She almost wanted to pull away and see if she could carry it. Instead, her fingers laced the brunette's, just knowing it'd burn to touch the source. It didn't. In fact, the softness unsettled her more so. Her eyes wanted to flash gold, when viewing her skin, her limbs engrossed in the light. But her human knew better. She seemed to be touching passion. A physical, literate passion.

"Not much different from Sparky..." Lexa added. "In the fact that he can control just how much he dishes out. Elements are only feared..." She paused, as Shalimar leaned in close, studying the heat with intent eyes. "Only feared, when not contained. My powers are no different than your feline feral. Your control makes it attractive, the notion it could break free makes it dangerous."

"How does it feel to you?" The blonde nearly whispered. "Does it hurt?"

"No...It feels more like a glow, or being surrounded in something safe."

"Safe?"

"For me anyway...a number of things used to contribute to my power: anger, rage, desire- any type of heat. But now, it feels - good. A little too good sometimes. Just to let it unleash...."

Finally siting back, Shalimar watched her hand on the table. Untouched, unmarked- overly warm. Inwardly, she debated telling Brennan about the episode, knowing he'd more so focus on two females touching. But feeling Lexa's powers essentially left her flushed. And intrigued, or more so aroused. She'd actually touched fire- a flame and not been burned. Just unervingly turned on. Suddenly she needed another drink.