Disclaimer—See Chapter One
A/N: I think I am addicted to all things MX! :) Besides writing, I'm now learning how to make video clips! I made my first two clips, one to go with this story and one in remembrance of Emma, and have uploaded them onto my little site. Garfieldlady has also made a few new clips as well, so check them out if you have a chance! In terms of writing, I'm now working on chapter 15, and am still not sure how long this story will be yet. I think I will be wrapping things up in a few more chapters and once I do, I can start posting more frequently. In the meantime, thank you so much for your amazing feedback! Thank you so much Melodie558, CatJerica, Mfkngst, Jessica, Rain, Mayra, MariShal. I thrive on your reviews, thank you! Fiery Feral, a girl can only dream! :) Hee-hee! I wanted to ask you if it would be alright to include your and your mother's stories in the B/S Community group. I hope you also have a new story coming up for us soon?! :) Quadrantje, Thank you! To answer your question, it is possible to still have hot water during a power outage...that's the beauty of a propane heater! It's actually a great way to pass the time when you're stuck without power! So I'm just assuming Sanctuary uses propane. :) This chapter is a little shorter (but still over 2000 words, so not THAT short), but I liked the ending too much, so I had to leave it. The next chapter will be longer to make up for it! :) Thank you!
All Things—Chapter Nine
He walked out of the office, shoulders sagging, feeling years older. In the back of his mind, he remembered that he needed to check on Lexa, that her sedation would be wearing off soon, but he couldn't quite face her. Not yet. Instead, he turned away from the lab, heading back toward the fried circuit. Even though his world was falling apart, it was still his responsibility to fix it.
Brennan pressed a kiss to the top of Shalimar's head as she dozed lightly. She had been in the water for quite a while now, but showed no inclination of wanting to leave, but he knew he needed to find Jesse and check Lexa. The power was still out; he thought Jesse would have fixed it by now.
"Shal?" He gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze.
"Hmm?" She didn't move.
"Come on, Shal," He urged her to wake up, "I need to go check on things, but I don't want you to fall asleep here, it's not safe."
She yawned hugely, eyes still closed. "Ok, I'll help you." She didn't move.
He chuckled, groaning as his knee popped in protest as he stood up. Picking up the candles, he moved them into the bedroom, placing one on the nightstand and the rest on the dresser. He then opened a drawer and selected one of his t-shirts that she loved to sleep in. He guessed it was only early afternoon, but Shalimar hadn't slept much the night before after her nightmare, so he was relieved she could sleep now. Padding back into the bathroom, he selected a large, fluffy towel and knelt down by the side of the tub.
"Shalimar." He roused her again, pulling her to her feet and wrapping the towel around her. She squinted one eye open, shivering in the cold air as water dripped down her legs.
"It's cold." She mumbled petulantly, eyes sliding back shut, and Brennan shook his head, knowing she was only half awake. She had been sleeping more deeply than he realized, and he knew better than to try to wake her up. The last time, she had made it clear what would happen to him if he did. He grinned again, bending his knees and smoothly picking her up in his arms. She immediately turned into his chest, content. Water ran off her bare feet, leaving a trail of water as they left the bathroom and walked back into the bedroom. He set her down on the edge of the bed, groaning as she immediately curled into a tight ball.
"Shal," He laughingly shook his head, tugging on her hand again. "Work with me here." He sat down next to her, pulling her back into a sitting position and propping her against his side.
She murmured incoherently as she slumped against him, head falling forward then jerking back up as she caught herself in half-sleep.
"Arms up," He gently commanded, helping her push them into the air and sliding the large t-shirt down her arms and over her head. She squirmed slightly and the shirt fell into place as she dropped the towel. He threw her underwear at her as he bent over to pick up the towel, crossing back into the bathroom to hang it up. When he returned, she was already under the covers. The bed dipped as he sat down on the edge, jumping quickly as a yelp sounded from under the covers. He threw back the blankets to find Chester looking back at him indignantly.
"Sorry, girl." He rubbed the top of her head until her head leaned into his palm. She licked his hand, then backed up against Shalimar, curling into a ball, looking at him expectantly. He raised his eyebrows as he settled the blankets back over them both. He was so whipped. But who could blame him, he decided as he watched both of his girls sleeping. He glanced up in surprise as sudden bright light flooded the room, the humming of appliances kicking back in sounding loud after the silence. Shalimar's brow furrowed at the brightness, and he quickly crossed the room, flicking off the lights and sending the room back into comfortable darkness. The sheets rustled as Shalimar turned over, curling around Chester's warm body like she normally did with him. He brushed hair off her temple, bending over to press a kiss against her slack lips before backing out of the room and quietly closing the door.
He couldn't delay the inevitable any longer. Jesse closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and steeling his emotions before walking into the lab. He still had no idea what he would say to her or what to even think. At first he thought someone had planted that microchip on the circuit board, but the computers had shown no signs of intrusion. That left only one disturbing conclusion; Lexa had planted it there. He turned into the doorway, eyes flying open as he heard her gagging desperately, gasping in horror.
"Lexa!" He ran to her side, hands shaking as he rolled her.
She was awake, eyes glazed and feverish as she retched helplessly over and over. She had been choking on it. He groaned at the guilt that slammed into him; he had left her alone too long.
"Come on, Lexa!" He gritted his teeth, voice harsh as he cleared her mouth. "Brennan!" He hollered into his ring. "I need some help here!" He held her down as she suddenly thrashed wildly, screaming in blind rage.
"Oh man," Brennan stopped dead in his tracks as he came running into the lab.
"Help me!"
Jesse's scream brought Brennan back to his senses, and he scrambled to her other side, bodily holding her down as Jesse grabbed a hypo-spray. He pressed the sedative to her neck, knees sagging in relief as she stilled abruptly.
Brennan backed up, staring at his hands with a grimace as Jesse yanked towels out of a cupboard and began to clean her up.
"You were supposed to be watching her," Jesse didn't look up as he threw the soiled towels on the floor and brushed a finger down her cheek.
"I'm sorry, Jess." Brennan stammered, assaulted by his own guilt as he washed his hands and wet a clean towel, tossing it over to Jesse.
The younger man glared as he caught the towel deftly with one hand. "Not good enough." He bent over her again, wiping down her face gently. Brennan bit his lip, watching for a moment before crossing back over, standing on the other side of the med bed.
"She's burning up." Jesse whispered, fear in his voice.
"It's the serum." Brennan sighed heavily.
Jesse glanced up sharply at him.
"I recognize it." He gestured at the pale, sweaty woman. "This is how Shalimar was…on the island." He swallowed, throat tight at the memory. He knew the fear Jesse was feeling all too well. "She needs continual doses, or she gets sick." He sank down into a nearby stool as another thought hit him. "Jesse."
Jesse's hands stilled at Brennan's tone, waiting. "What?" He finally demanded as Brennan stared at Lexa.
"We don't know how long she's been infected, but we know she hasn't been sick like this until now."
"She was sick a few weeks ago." Jesse looked up in remembrance. "You don't think—"
"Someone's been feeding her more serum." Brennan raised his eyebrows. "Or she's been injecting herself."
"No." Jesse shook his head decisively. "She wouldn't do that, she knows what it does."
"Jess," Brennan sighed and paused, gauging his next words. "Remember what Jimmy told us? Eventually, if taken long enough…"
"It causes permanent dementia." Jesse's fingers clutched the side of the bed, bracing himself as he knees threatened to buckle beneath him.
She was walking, just walking, on a never ending dirt road, dust billowing up at every step. It was dark, and she didn't know where she was, so she kept walking. Shadows cast long fingers that flickered and waved across the road, stretching hungrily toward her. She shrank away from them, but still, she kept walking. Footsteps sounded behind her, and she whirled around, heart pounded at the sound. But there was nothing. Chuckling nervously, she shook her head, turning and continuing walking. It started in small waves, building slowly and slowly, each wave washing over her with growing intensity until she recognized it; fear. It choked her, and she pressed her fingers to her throat, eyes bulging as she whirled around again. But still, there was nothing. Legs trembled, but she had nowhere to go; she kept walking. A whispering wind swirled around her, surrounding, confusing her. She froze, voices murmuring from all sides as footsteps sounded again. Her head began to pound, each painful throb counting down the steps as they got closer, louder. She screamed, whirling first one way then the other, looking, searching. But still there was nothing. The voices grew louder, mocking her now until she could hear nothing but a furious roar, and she clapped her hands over her ear, sinking to knees, falling. A shadow crept closer until it bent over her, greedy claw-like fingers closing in around her. She whimpered, but no one answered. There was nothing. And the claws dug in.
"Brennan!" Shalimar shot straight up in bed, heart lurching painfully in her chest as she gasped frantically for air, eyes darting around wildly.
But he wasn't there.
Jesse closed his eyes as the results of the scan confirmed Brennan's words. Lexa was infected with the serum. He didn't know how or why; now it seemed he only had more questions instead of answers. He groaned, laying his head down on his arms for a moment, glad Brennan had left to do another security sweep. Lexa started moaning again, and he jumped to his feet, forcing tired limbs to cooperate as he prepared a new injection for her. They had a little of the counter-serum left over, but he didn't know if it would work or not. What if it was too late? He paused by her side, brushing damp hair off her face, startled at how feverish she was. He gritted his teeth, and pushed the needle.
Brennan had warned him the transformation was quick, but he was shocked, jumping slightly when her eyes flew open, huge in her pale face.
"Lexa?" He bent down closer to her, "How do you feel?"
For one agonizing minute, she didn't move, and then slowly, her lids dropped, and she blinked, tongue darting out to lick dry lips as her head turned towards his.
"Lexa?" He tried again.
She blinked again, looking at him. He sucked in a painful breath, dread numbing his body.
Her gray-blue eyes were wide open, pupils dilated as she stared at him, no recognition in their depths.
Shalimar tried to scream again, but no sound would come. Her tongue felt thick, clumsy, and she gasped, pressing her back against the headboard as she noticed the flickering flames around her. Something moved beside her, and she lashed out, not even noticing when Chester went flying through the air with a yelp and landed heavily on the other side of the room. Flickering flames. Greedy fingers.She shoved her knuckles into her mouth, cowering as shadows dancing all around, rhythmic, dangerous. Why? Why was this happening again? It was supposed to be over. A vein in her temple stood out, throbbing, aching. From out of the shadows, a figure emerged, and her heart dropped with fear as the monster came back. Trapped. She pressed further back, hitting the wall. Nightmare. Fear. Walls. She jerked forward, head whirling as her darting eyes caught a flicker of a flame right next to her bed on the left and the shadowy monster on her right, the white wall behind her. No, no, no. Not again. She threw her heads over her head, body jerking, feet kicking spastically, knocking out the flame before curling into a desperate ball, moaning.
The lighted candle flew off the nightstand and rolled across the floor before coming to rest again her jeans.
And the flames danced larger.