Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X.

Chapter 1

A quiet December 24th settled over a small house. White snow glistened from the ground and air as the street lights came on. The inside of the house was beautiful and already personalized. There was a finished basement, where pieces of work out equipment sat and two car garage, but at the moment one car was missing. On the first floor was a small kitchen with wood flooring. Next to that was a small dining area, only separated from the kitchen by an island counter. A fairly good size living room, held a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and a small fireplace, along with the entertainment center and furniture. A full bathroom and small coat closet were to the back of the house. At the top of a flight of carpeted stairs were three bedrooms and another full bathroom, this one a bit larger and with a hot tub.

Shalimar giggled as Brennan wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips into her neck. The hot water surrounded them, relaxing their muscles and the trickling fountain beside the tub provided a calming sense.

"I love you," he whispered.

She closed her eyes and leaned into him as his breath brushed her ear. "I love you, too"

Tilting her head up with his finger he met her eyes and smiled.

Her stomach fluttered as he leaned down and let his lips brush hers. They had been together for a while now but he still had the same effects on her as when they first started dating.

Reality tugged on both of them as they heard Jesse's voice from the bottom of the stairs.

Brennan groaned and Shalimar let her head fall back onto his shoulder lazily as she sighed in disappointment.

"What is it Jess?" Brennan called.

Shalimar cringed as her sensitive ears took in Brennan's voice as it bounced off the walls. She shook her head and stood from the tub, before grabbing her robe and going to the stairs. "What did you need?"

"I'm going out to try and find Lexa. She's been out alone too long for my liking and she hasn't called."

Shalimar smiled at the worry in his voice. "I'm sure she's fine, Jesse. If she comes back we'll call you."

He smiled. "Thanks, Shal."

After the door was closed and locked once again Shalimar turned and dropped her robe to the floor.

Brennan smiled and pulled her tightly against him as she settled back in with him. "He worries about her too much. That's not a good thing."

Shalimar smiled knowing just from the tone in his voice that he wasn't going to let this go. "He loves her and after everything we've been through he has a right to worry. He just wants to keep her safe."

"And if she gets hurt he'll blame himself. I think it's dangerous for those two to get together."

"Look who's talking," she giggled.

Brennan sighed in defeat. "Shal, I just don't want to see him hurt."

Shalimar was silent for a moment before shaking her head. "He loves Lexa more than anything and for the first time in a long while he's happy. I think she's happy as well, she just won't admit it. I don't want to see either of them hurt, but it isn't our decision."

"I know. You're right."

She smiled and kissed him. "I'm always right. Now you need to stop worrying about them and relax. Concentrate on something else." Her voice dropped and she smiled as she moved into a straddle on his lap.

"Something else, huh?" His hands slid around her back bringing her closer as their lips connected.

Jesse followed the tracking of Lexa's comm. ring to a bar outside of the city. Even though they had lost everything in Sanctuary's destruction, there were still a few back up gadgets at the safe houses that they found. A tracker was one of them.

It was almost an hour's drive. By the time he reached the bar it was almost eleven. He walked in finding it to be a quiet kind of place. There were a few pool tables and a couple of booths then the bar and restrooms in the left corner of the building. He spotted Lexa immediately, being as there were only a few people there. All he could do was shake his head as he stared at her. She was a mess. Her face was stained from fallen tears and she looked like she was about to fall over from the massive amount of alcohol she had undoubtedly consumed. Walking over to the bar he stepped up beside her slowly. "Lexa," His hand dropped lightly on her shoulder but she pulled away roughly.

Jesse watched as she forced her head up and tried to focus. "What are you doing here?" Her hand landed on his chest and pushed him away.

He caught it and took her arm as she started to fall off balance. "I'm here to take you home."

"No! I don't want to go home." Her speech was slurred as she struggled to keep her head straight.

"She yours?"

Jesse looked up at the bartender. "Yeah,"

He nodded. "She was telling me something about her brother. She's had a pretty rough night and at least six bottles of beer. After that I gave her water. I didn't want her to kill herself with the stuff."

"Thanks. I couldn't figure out what was wrong."

"Leo's wrong!"

Jesse looked down at her to find tears streaming down her cheeks. He pulled her closer and then lifted her up and walked out.

After fifteen minutes of chasing her around the house he finally caught her, or rather she let him catch her. Shalimar giggled as Brennan threw her over his shoulder and smacked her butt. She shrieked. It was a nice view for her as she smiled and returned the slap on his backside.

He shook his head. "Oh, I'm going to get you good for that one, baby." A door opened and then she was in another room. One…Two…Three steps and he threw her onto the bed.

She screamed as she bounced about a foot in the air and then was pinned down by Brennan. "I win," he said as he leaned down to kiss her.

She smiled through the kiss and wrapped her arms around him.

His hands slid slowly under her shirt and he started to rub her sides. A moan reached his ears and he smiled before letting his hands slip up even further.

Shalimar grabbed his hands and pulled away smiling. "Ya know, Santa won't come if all the children aren't in bed."

"I don't want him to come. He might try to steel you away from me." His lips brushed against her neck as he spread feather light kisses all over her.

"All the good boys should be in bed now if they want a present."

"All the good boys are in bed and I already have my present." Brennan smiled and pressed his lips into the soft spot of her neck.

She moaned and gripped his shoulders lightly. "So you were a naughty boy then and shouldn't get your presents." Shalimar pushed him away from her neck and raised an eyebrow.

All Brennan could do was laugh as he rested his forehead lightly against hers and pulled his hands out from under her shirt.

"All though…" She rolled and straddled his torso as she leaned down. "All the good girls are in bed too and I also already have my present." She pressed a soft kiss on his lips and started to unbutton his shirt. "I think it might be a little too late to try and be good…"

"So we'll just have to play with the presents we have." Brennan finished for her.

The hour's ride back was quiet with the exception of Lexa's few random outbursts. When they arrived he pushed the safe house door open with his foot as he grabbed Lexa from falling.

After they were inside he lifted her up into his arms and closed the door. Lexa groaned as he carried her down the stairs. Even the smooth steps were more jolting than her head could handle.

He laid her gently on the couch and then went to get some blankets. "Shal, Brennan?"

Shalimar gasped, chest heaving and eyes wide as she heard Jesse's voice. If he had called a second sooner they would have been in trouble. She smiled when she noticed the almost terrified look on Brennan's face. Jesse had just sent both of them for a loop.

Chuckling slightly, he shook his head as he leaned down to kiss Shal.

She joined him in the small laugh and then pulled the sheet over her body as he moved to lay beside her.

"Hello, is anybody there?"

"Yeah, Jess?" Brennan answered.

"I found Lexa. She and I are going to stay at one of the safe houses tonight. She doesn't want to come home."

Brennan's eyebrow rose as he looked over at Shalimar. He chuckled. "Go, Jesse."

Jesse shook his head and smiled as he heard Shalimar's hand connect with skin and then Brennan's small 'ouch'. "Thanks Shal,"

"No problem. Is she ok?"

"I think she will be. From what I've heard so far she's upset because this is her first Christmas without her brother. At the moment she's drunk. I'm going to take care of her and then hopefully she'll let me talk to her in the morning."

"Is there anything we can do?"

"I don't think so. I'll call you in the morning."

"Ok. Goodnight, Jess."

"Night, Shal. You too, Brenn."

"Night, Bro."

Brennan again chuckled after the connection was broken. "That was close." He propped his head on his hand as he relaxed and draped his arm over Shalimar's stomach.

She giggled and nodded as he pulled her closer and kissed her.

Jesse went over to sit with Lexa after the connection had been broken.

"It's so hot…" she slurred. Jesse helped her get her jacket off and then sat her in a chair as he pulled out the sofa bed. He went to get a small heater, knowing that the heat flash would soon end. When he came back Lexa was clad in nothing but a small black lace bra and matching tap shorts. She was spread out on the bed, stomach down and her index finger on her right hand drew invisible little designs on the sheet. He froze for a moment shocked from the incredible sight. Suddenly she shivered and curled up into a tight ball. He caught sight of something on the small of her back as he plugged the small heater in. Taking a seat on the bed he pushed her hip slightly so he could get a better look at the small,…his eyebrow raised,…tattoo.

A black butterfly colored the small space at the base of her spine. He ran a finger gently over it, but quickly pulled his hand back as she arched forward.

She started laughing hysterically "That tickles!"

Jesse raised an eyebrow as she suddenly stopped laughing and started to cry.

"Leo took me to get it."

"Remind me never to let you get this drunk again. These mood swings are awful." He spoke to himself.

"Jesse, Leo's gone," she sobbed.

He sighed sympathetically and reached out for her. "It's ok, Lex." Pulling her into his arms he kissed her head. "It'll be ok,"

After a few minutes she stopped crying and just rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm cold."

Just as he reached for the blanket Lexa pushed him to his back. His eyes widened in shock as she pressed her lips tightly against his and then as soon as the kiss began it ended.

She sprawled herself across Jesse's chest and tucked her head carefully under his chin.

Jesse, after regaining himself kicked his shoes off and then pulled the sheet over their bodies. Grabbing a blanket he carefully draped it over both of them. Lexa snuggled against him and she smiled slightly as he kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her.

Sorry guys…I messed up and had to fix it…all better now though! Enjoy!