All Things

Disclaimer: Not mine! Mutant X belongs to Tribune and Marvel.

Summary: They thought nothing more could threaten and test their love. They were wrong. Things are not always what they seem, even at Sanctuary. Sequel to Things Best Known and Things More Beautiful.

Rating: PG

A/N: Like the first two stories in this series, this is a Brennan and Shalimar story, although this one will include some Jesse and Lexa as well.

All Things—Chapter One

Prelude:

She waited. She waited as they came tumbling into the Rec Room, laughter alighting their faces, rosy-red from the outside chill. She watched as they almost dropped their coats on the floor before catching them back up and exchanging a tender look. She waited with her while he hung them up, and she watched as they headed arm in arm towards the kitchen.

When stillness again descended upon the room, she emerged, a hiss of frustration escaping her teeth as a tiny growl gave her pause. Two little eyes stared intently at the object in her hand, pink lips curled slightly back. She jerked her hand up higher, holding the fragile glass protectively above her head, side-stepping the tense, little dog in annoyance. Teeth nipped her pant leg, and she stumbled slightly. A brief fumble, and then she had the item again securely grasped.

With a furtive glance, she disappeared into another room, breathing a sigh of relief once all was safely hidden. Her fingers felt stiff, burning from clenching the glass so tightly, and she absent-mindedly sucked on a finger as she hesitated at the door. She waited, watching, before finally slipping out in a swirl of dark hair.

Thick liquid sloshed against glass before settling back into place, its movement sluggish. Trace beads dripped and rolled, puddling at the glass base; glimmers of refracted light winking slowly in the dim light.

Three Weeks Later:

Cold had taken a massive grip on Sanctuary. Leaves that had been bright and golden were suddenly gone, leaving bare branches buried under a thick blanket of snow. The river creaked and groaned, water frozen in odd surges, as if caught unaware. And so it had been. One day it was fall, the next they woke up to find winter ferociously upon them. And as the creatures of the wood hibernated, so did Shalimar.

Brennan shook his head as he stared down at the slumbering feral, burrowed under several blankets and huddled against him. Only the blonde curls spilling out from under the covers and the slight lump her body formed gave evidence of her even being there.

"Hey, Shal?" He placed a gentle hand where he thought her hip might be.

The lump moaned and slid further down the bed.

He rolled his eyes and chuckled, slipping out of the bed and padding over to the adjoining bathroom. Even he had to admit it was cold, he conceded as he reappeared a few moments later, hopping across the chilly slate floor. Brrrr. His teeth chattered slightly as he whipped the covers back and bounded gleefully back into the warmth. Shalimar growled slightly as the dash of cold air hit her before the blankets settled back into place.

"Come on, Shal, wake up."

She only pressed more tightly against his side, seeking his warmth. She delighted in taking advantage of the heat he always seemed to radiate. A contented sigh escaped her lips.

"What do you think, girl?" Brennan turned his attention to the small dog curled up at the end of the bed. "Time to get up?"

Chester raised her head, tilting it as if pondering his words for a moment before laying it back down on her paws and curling into an even tighter ball.

"Come on guys, I don't like it either, but we've got to get up." He paused for a beat. "We're going to be late." No answer.

A slightly evil glint appeared in Brennan's eyes as Shalimar snaked an arm around his waist, settling back in. He stroked the back of his thumb across her smooth skin as he rolled onto his side to face her, tangling his leg around hers. He watched as her lips curved upward in secret victory and then deliberately pressed his cold foot against her shin, waiting for a reaction.

It didn't take long.

"Ahhh! Brennan!"

The slumbering beast awoke, jerking up and away in an explosion of flying blankets and wild hair. Cold air hit him, and he shivered, laughing outright as she glared at him, eyes flashing between tangled strands of hair.

"Good morning." He smiled widely at her.

"It's cold." She blew at the strands in annoyance as she sat up and wrapped her arms around her folded legs.

He loved how she could be so grumpy in the morning. "You woke up." He raised his brows in innocent inquiry.

"Hmphf." She grunted at him, rubbing her hands against her legs. "I wonder why."

He leaned back over the side of the bed and retrieved one of the scattered blankets, wrapping it around her as he dropped a kiss onto her nose.

"Where are you going?" She petulantly asked as he stood up from the bed.

"To shower." He paused to dig through one of the dressers.

She released a huge yawn, watching as he pulled out black boxers.

"Care to join me?" His voice called back to her as he disappeared into the bathroom, head poking back out when she didn't answer.

"Hmm?" She pursed her lips in pretend thought. "Sleep a few more minutes or shower with you?" She promptly lay back down and pulled the blankets back over her head, forming a cozy lump. "Wake me when you're done."

"Hey!"

The lump giggled.

He shook his head, closing the door behind him.

There was a similar scene going on across the hall.

"Come on, Jesse." Lexa tugged determinedly on his shoulder. "Go fix it."

"Gimmeaminute." Mumbled words garbled back at her.

A flick of her wrist and the blankets flew off him.

One eye squinted open.

"I take it you want something?" His voice was heavy with sarcasm.

She raised her eyebrow.

It was then he noticed the temperature. "It's cold." He pushed himself into a sitting position.

"I know, go fix it." She grasped his hand, pulling.

He allowed her to get him out of bed, smiling as he took in her attire. She was swaddled in so many layers she could hardly walk. He planted his feet and tugged back, spinning her around and into his arms. A startled gasp huffed out of her lips.

"You look kind of cute."

"Just—kind of?" She struggled to raise her arms above her head, wrapping them around his shoulders and pulling him into a kiss.

"Ok, very." He spoke a moment later, hands rubbing up and down her back.

"That's better." She stepped back with a satisfied grin. "Now go fix this cold."

Brennan shivered as he stepped out of the warm shower. He raised his ring to his mouth. "Hey, Jesse!"

"Already on it." Jesse's voice interrupted him.

Brennan chuckled at his annoyed tone. Lexa must have been working on him for a while already. He quickly pulled on a warm robe, rubbing a hand across the fogged mirror to get a glimpse of his face. Stubble showed up in his hazy reflection before the mirror steamed back over. He winkled his nose; he hated shaving. He reached into the medicine cabinet, frowning when his fingers only found empty space.

"Missing something?"

Shivers of a different sort ran down his spine at the sultry tone behind him.

"Perhaps." He grinned at her over his shoulder as she approached, blanket resting around her shoulders like a cape. She still wore her nightgown, but had pulled on a pair of his sweatpants and thick wool socks. His grin faltered slightly when he took in his razor, twirling between her smug fingers. The blade flashed in the light. He gulped. "What are you doing?"

"Don't you trust me?" She arched a brow, fighting a smile.

He sank down into the small stool he kept in the bathroom, eyeing her. "Always."

"Good answer." Her smile widened as she stepped between his legs, hand reaching over and grabbing his shaving cream. He watched as she squirted some into her hands and worked up a rich lather, eyes falling shut as her fingers massaged it into his skin. Cold forgotten, he reached out and grasped her hips, pulling her closer.

"Now, behave," She gently admonished him, lips brushing deliberately against his ear.

He ignored her command, turning his head and capturing her lips. She allowed it, leaning into his arms, sensuously, slowly, returning his kiss for one delicious moment. His hand rose and tangled in her hair, tugging her closer just as she pulled back with an unforgiving grin.

"Not yet."

He leaned forward again, but she stilled him with a hand on his chest. Sighing, he complied, and she reached back over to pick up the razor.

Her smug look returned.

His eyes darted to hers. She looked innocent. Too innocent. He swallowed convulsively, regretting that cold foot thing. "Hey, Shal."

"Shh." She hushed him with a finger on his lips. "Now don't move."

Easy for her to say. He shifted slightly as she again leaned down towards him, eyes distractedly taking in the tiny buttons that lay open against her neck, exposing creamy skin. So that was her plan. His eyes followed the trail of open buttons as they loomed tantalizing just out of reach as she leaned closer yet, drawing the blade down his cheek, following the growth of the bristles. Another shiver ran down his spine as her warm breath puffed against his neck as she bent to inspect her work. A finger caressed the razor's path until, satisfied, she ran the razor again down his face.

He closed his eyes, exhaling a deep breath when she finally turned away for a moment to rinse the razor. He knew she heard, but he didn't care. She knew damn well what she was doing to him.

"Shal," He started as she nudged his knees further apart, stepping up next to him again. His hands again settled on her hips.

She didn't respond, instead tipping his head back and drawing the razor down his jaw. His lips pouted slightly as his delectable view disappeared from sight. His fingers dug slightly into her side, massaging in slow, centric circles. She kept on working. His fingers worked their way to her back, rubbing. Her hand cupped the back of his head, supporting it as she pushed it back even further, running the razor down his upper lip, pausing to smartly smack his arm with the razor handle as his fingers tried dipping lower. He groaned and moved his hands back to her hips. He could sense her smile as she resumed her work, the rasping sound loud in the quiet. Finally, she finished. His head started to come back down, freezing as his eyes opened.

"You almost behaved," Shalimar huskily whispered, fully aware their mouths were a mere breath apart.

"What's my reward?" His tongue darted out and licked his lips.

She focused on his tongue, lips curving upward. "I said almost." She suddenly stood back up as his head leaned forward, laughing at the extreme disappointment flashing across his features. She smiled saucily. "Too bad too, I still need that shower." She turned her back in dismissal, starting to undress.

"Not so fast." He jumped to his feet. "I at least get a kiss."

"Then come and get it." She turned back toward him with a knowing grin, brows waggling.

He knew a challenge when he saw one. He also knew they were going to be extremely late.

He didn't care.

Giggles filled the small room as they chased each other around.

Humans. Chester watched pitifully as, clad only in underwear, they ran screaming past where she lay in a cozy nest atop the discarded blankets. Her fur ruffled slightly as she burrowed further into the blankets, eyes closing with a contented sigh. She at least knew how to stay warm on a cold morning such as this.