Disclaimer: I do not own Mutant X

Chapter 2

Shalimar leaned down slowly and placed a soft kiss on Brennan's cheek, the next morning, before slipping gracefully out of bed. She trembled as the cold air hit her bare body. After taking a quick shower she opened Brennan's dresser and laughed as she found her red thong with the little sparkly snowflakes that she thought she had lost. Grabbing it and one of Brennan's heavy shirts she dressed herself, knowing Jesse and Lexa wouldn't be home for a while.

She knew it wouldn't take long for Brennan to wake as she started making breakfast. French toast, eggs and bacon with a nice hot cup of vanilla coffee…there was no way he'd stay in bed.

She was right. About ten minutes later a shiver was sent up her spine as he slowly and thoroughly wrapped his arms around her and pressed a passionate kiss to her neck.

She moaned as her legs almost buckled from under her and she had to lean into him just to keep from falling.

"Merry Christmas," he whispered in her ear.

She smiled as he slid a hand down to her butt and lifted the overly large shirt. His fingers toyed with the thin strap on her hip for a moment before sliding back and gently snapping it against her back. "So you found it, huh?"

She smiled. "You were hiding it from me. Don't you like it?"

He laughed. "Shalimar, I love anything you're in…or not in."

She giggled and turned her head for a kiss. Immediately, she was met with one. Moaning she pushed Brennan back slightly as she tried to catch her breath and took the pan off of the stove.

Lexa groaned as she rolled out of Jesse's arms. He let her go, not wanting to wake her if she wasn't ready to get up. Jesse couldn't help but stare at her. She was gorgeous. The soft skin of her shoulders slipped out from under the sheet and her black hair fell gracefully across her face and down her back. He reached over, brushing the errant strands of smooth hair away from her eyes and tucking them behind her ear. Her skin was like silk as he let his hand fall gently over her cheek.

She stirred, turning to her side and then back as she tried to force her eyes open. A moan rolled from her lips as she stretched out, the sheet falling even farther off her body. Her head pounded and it took a moment for her to realize that someone was pulling the materiel back over her body. Gasping as she shot up, grasping the sheet to her chest as her eyes opened. A cry escaped as her head reprimanded her for getting up so fast. Her eyes shut quickly blocking out the light. Hands fell on her arms and she heard a man's voice calling her name, but couldn't make it out.

The man pulled her closer and cradled her before lowering her back down to the bed. Reality suddenly hit her. She remembered being drunk, she remembered someone carrying her, remembered a kiss. The rest was still fuzzy but the fact that she was barely dressed was very clear. Slowly she opened her eyes, almost afraid of what she might find.

Jesse looked down at her concerned. "Are you ok, Lexa?"

She blinked to clear her vision and sighed in relief when she found Jesse staring down at her. "What happened?" she groaned. "And where are my clothes?" She creased her brow as she shivered. "Why are you in bed with me?"

Jesse smiled. "I'll explain everything after some coffee." Getting up he walked to the small little kitchen area and started to brew the hot drink. When he turned around Lexa was sitting on one of the stools with his shirt on. The sight was one he could have gazed at all day. "Lexa," he chuckled slightly. "I think you picked up the wrong pile of clothes."

She shook her head slightly and leaned against the table. "I couldn't find mine. I'm almost afraid to ask why."

"Lex, do you honestly think I would take advantage of you like that?" He frowned as her eyes dropped. Reaching over he gently brushed her cheek and tilted her head up meeting her eyes. "I wouldn't." He turned and poured the hot liquid into two cups. "Do you remember anything from last night?"

She sighed. "I went to a bar last night, out of town. I got drunk…I think you came to get me."

"I did and I brought you here because you didn't want to go home." He handed her a cup of coffee and then sat down next to her. "As for the clothes…you kept having hot flashes so you decided to strip."

"And your shirt had to come off with mine?"

"If I was going to survive the night without dying from the heat, yes. You're like a personal furnace."

She blushed and tried to hide it as she sipped the hot liquid from the cup. "Thank you…for taking care of me." Cringing, she tried to restrain her tears, but to no avail. She stood and turned away from him.

Jesse wasn't about to let her go so easily.

A hand fell onto her back as the other gently took her arm and turned her. "You miss him."

She breathed deeply and nodded, fighting her pain.

Jesse felt her stiffen as he tried to pull her close.

"I lost him."

The vulnerability and pain in her voice broke his heart. He watched as she tried to bury the pain knowing that if she did it would only hurt her later. Jesse reached out for her again but she turned away. He saw her shoulders begin to tremble and then the rest of her body slowly followed. "Lexa," Jesse stepped in front of her and took her face in his hands. "Lex, it's ok to cry."

She leaned into his arms sobbing slowly and then more heavily as she let herself go. Her legs buckled and she would have collapsed in a heap on the floor, if it weren't for Jesse.

He gathered her in his arms and sank slowly to the floor, rocking her as he held her tightly. He couldn't find anything to say or words to comfort her with. He knew how hard it was to lose a loved one and he knew that all he could do for her now was be there.

She gasped for air through her tears and sobs, digging her fingers into Jesse's back as she moved to wrap her arms around him. He soothed her gently and she accepted it, burying her face in his chest. "It'll be ok, Lex," he whispered. "I promise."

Fifteen minutes of tears and Lexa had had enough. She hated that she was so weak but having Jesse there to hold and comfort her helped more than she could explain. Taking a deep calming breath, she tried to relax and just rested her head against Jesse's shoulder. "Thanks, Jesse," She turned her head and caught his bare collarbone with a kiss.

A shiver ran threw him as her warm lips brushed his skin. He pulled her closer and kissed her head, in a silent 'you're welcome'. "Let's get dressed and go home, huh?"

Lexa looked down at her legs and then at his bare chest and chuckled. "Yeah,"

Jesse took her hands and pulled her to her feet before cupping her face and wiping stray tears. "Come on, Lex, it's Christmas. Smile for me."

"There's nothing to smile about, Jess," she replied as she started to hunt for her clothes.

She looked up at him eyes still glazed from the tears and forced a small smile.

Jesse shook his head chuckling slightly. "That looked more like a grimace."

She laughed and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Ah, I saw it. Come on," He gently lifted her chin happy when she smiled up at him. "That's better,"

She dropped her eyes and shook her head as she leaned into him smiling slightly as his arms came around her. "You make no sense to me, but I don't know what I'd do without you." Tilting her head she gave him a small peck on the lips. "Thanks, Jesse."

Shalimar sighed as she rested her head on Brennan's shoulder and snaked her arms around him.

He smiled and enveloped her enjoying the silence of the room and the crackling fire in the fire place, as he leaned back in the recliner. "I have a present for you. Will you open it?"

Shalimar looked up. "I thought we were going to wait until tonight to open the gifts?"

"I know and we can wait for them, but this one is a little more…personal."

Her eyebrow rose at this and she stood from his lap letting him get up.

He walked to the tree and picked up a red box, before coming back and pulling her onto his lap. "Here."

Smiling she turned to the side and rested the box on his leg. She tore the paper tantalizingly slowly, smiling at Brennan's impatience, and then pulled the top off of the box. Her eyes widened when she lifted the garment from inside. "Brennan!" She blushed a deep red as she looked over the black lace baby-doll, with a matching thong.

He laughed, "There's one more in there."

She unfolded the tissue paper and found black flowered print cutaway with its matching bikini bottom.

"Wear it for me tonight?"

She smiled. "Which one?"

"You pick." He smiled and kissed her cheek.

"I'll make it a surprise." She tilted her head to kiss him when she suddenly heard Jesse's voice. Startled, she jumped up out of Brennan's lap almost falling flat on the floor.

Brennan laughed as she huffed and picked up the garments and their box. "Yeah, Jess?"

"Lexa and I are on our way back. I just wanted to let you know."

"Alright, see you when you get here."

The connection was broken. Just as Brennan looked up, a pillow came flying at his face. He tried to dodge it but had no luck. "What was that for?" he chuckled.

"Laughing at me," she huffed playfully.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully for the most part. Shalimar, Brennan and Lexa watched a few movies before starting dinner and Jesse spent most of his time on the computer.

"So are we eating dinner first or opening presents?" Lexa came into the living room with her hands on her hips.

"Presents," Jesse voted.

"Same," Brennan agreed.

Shalimar and Lexa shook their heads. "It couldn't hurt to do the presents first I guess," Shalimar said.

The boys looked like kids as they opened their gifts and the girls just laughed at them, though they looked much the same.

"Ok, guys time to eat." Shalimar stood. "Brennan, help me set the table?"

"Sure," He stood, nose still stuck in his new poetry book. Shalimar shook her head and grabbed his hand.

Lexa stood to follow them but stopped when Jesse took her hand. "Wait, I have one more thing for you." He stood and handed her a small rectangular box.

She took the small package from him and looked up questioningly. "What's this?"

"Just open it."

She did, and held delicately inside a clear box was silver charm bracelet. "Jesse, it's beautiful,"

He smiled and stepped up to her taking it from her hands and opening it. "It has a charm for each member of your family on it. And you can add to it as the family grows."

She smiled. There was a small cat and a lightning bolt on one side. She chuckled when she looked at the other and saw a computer. Her eyes glistened with tears as she looked over the middle charm engraved just like her pendant, only this one was shaped in a heart. "Oh, Jess,"

He placed it around her wrist and then pulled her into his arms. "I love you,"

She wrapped her arms around him hugging him back tightly. "Love you, too,"

They jumped slightly as Brennan cleared his throat from the doorway. He and Shalimar both smiled happy to see them finally together.

"Come on you two, dinner is getting cold." Shal chuckled inwardly as she picked up the rumble of Brennan's stomach.

"Yeah, let's go," He took her hand and pulled her out.

Lexa smiled and Jesse put an arm around her and led her into the other room.

The night passed on, eventually leaving the house in silence. Four mutants slept peacefully, tucked against their partners. Fear and trouble had no place there, only love and peace.

That's it…just a short thing…sorry again for the mess up…thanks for the reviews! Merry Christmas!