Disclaimer: I don't own mutant X or the characters.

Chapter 1

The new year was quickly approaching and the members of Mutant X were finally settled into their new home. A small white fence stood around the yard and there was a swing on the porch. Four bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room and living room could be found inside.

On the porch swing though, were Shalimar and Brennan. Shalimar tucked tightly in his arms bundled in a heavy coat and Brennan buried in his coat trying to keep warm.

The cold winter breeze blew as the swing swayed back and forth. "Shalimar can we please go in yet?"

She giggled and tilted her head up. "Little cold, Brenn?"

"Little? Shalimar, I'm freezing." He frowned when she just turned her head back and snuggled deeper into him. "Come on. We can make hot chocolate and watch a movie; your pick."

"Umm, I don't know, Brenn, I like it out here."

He groaned as another breeze blew across him. "I'll give you a massage."

"Full body?" She tilted her head back again and smiled as Brennan's lips landed on her red nose.

"Sure."

Inside, Jesse came back from the kitchen to find Lexa sitting at the computer table with her head down. She was in her pajamas and she had her heavy robe on. He walked over to her and smiled as he noticed that she was sleeping. It was about eight o'clock and he raised an eyebrow wondering why she was asleep so early. His hand fell over her cheek and a frown crossed his face. She was very warm. "Lexa," he called softly. Gently touching her shoulder he shook her carefully. "Lexa, wake up,"

She groaned and lifted her head slowly. Her eyelids felt like they weighed a ton each and her body felt even worse.

Jesse could tell she was sick just from the miserable expression on her face. He placed the back of his fingers on her forehead and then brushed the hair from her eyes. "Come here, Lex."

She cringed and whimpered slightly as she stood.

Jesse picked her up and carried her to her room before covering her. "Stay in bed." His words were unheard by the already sleeping woman. After shutting the lights, he gently closed her door.

Shalimar and Brennan were already set up in the living room when Jesse walked in. Shalimar was laying on the sofa bed with nothing but her little black string bikini on. Various oil bottles lay beside her and a mug of hot chocolate sat between her hands.

Jesse shook his head. "Did you leave him out in the cold again until he agreed to pamper you, Shal?"

She turned and smiled as Jesse winked at her. "Something like that."

He laughed at Brennan's irritated expression. "Alright, listen, I'm going to take Lexa to Doctor Marcus's lab. We'll be back in a few hours."

"Is she alright?" Shalimar asked concerned.

Jesse shrugged. "She's got a high fever. I just want to make sure she's ok." The concern was evident in his voice.

Shalimar nodded. "Ok. Let us know how she is though."

He smiled. "I will."

Brennan climbed into the bed with Shalimar and rubbed the oil onto his hands. "Think she's alright?"

Shalimar untied the back of her top and moaned as Brennan's strong hands started massaging up and down her back. "I hope she is, but if not Jesse will take care of it. He wouldn't let anything happen to her."

Brennan nodded.

Jesse had been working with Doctor Marcus since Sanctuary's destruction so he knew everyone there and they were all used to seeing him at odd times of the night.

The extra heat from his body was most welcome to Lexa as he carried her, but it was replaced too soon by the cold material of a medical bed. As soon as Jesse placed her down she curled up into a ball and shivered.

He turned and started the scanner, covering her with a blanket as soon as it finished. Her temperature was over 102. A whimper reached his ears and he looked to Lexa, watching as she turned to her other side. "Lex," He stepped around the chair and took a seat in front of her.

"Jesse, I'm freezing." A tear dripped from her eye and he wiped it away gently.

"Don't cry, it'll only make you feel worse." He took another blanket and draped it over her. "I'm going to do a few more scans then you can go back to sleep and I'll take you home."

She closed her eyes and nodded slightly. "Alright."

Jesse gently tucked a few strands of silky hair behind her ear and stood.

The results from the following scans filled him with terror and dread. He couldn't loose her, not when they were so close to having the solution.

She moaned again sobbing quietly. "What's wrong with me?"

Jesse didn't have the heart to tell her. He could barely handle it himself.

Her brow creased as she looked up at him. "Jesse?" She tried to sit but pain wracked her body.

"Lexa, don't move too much." He sat and took her hand before pressing a kiss to her palm.

A tear dripped onto her hand and she looked over. "Jess? What's going on?"

"Nothing," He took a breath and buried the tears. "I'm tired, let's go home."

Lexa groaned again as he picked her up. She new something was wrong. Her entire body screamed it to her, but she didn't know what it was and she didn't have the strength to pry it out of him.

By the time Jesse got back it was almost eleven. He carried Lexa up the stairs and placed her in bed before covering her and taking a seat beside the bed.

"Jess," she whispered hoarsely.

"Shh, I'm here, Lexa." He reached out and let his hand fall across her face.

Her fingers brushed lightly against his and her lips caressed his palm. "Aren't you going to bed?"

He shook his head in the darkness to himself. "Don't worry about me. You need to sleep. Close your eyes."

She sighed. "Jess, if something's wrong, tell me."

He was silent.

"Jesse?"

"Lexa, stop worrying and go to sleep," he spoke gently as his thumb stroked her cheek.

The falter in his voice that he tried to hide came through, but she knew he wasn't going to tell her anything. "Well, if you're going to stay you might as well lie down and keep me warm." Lexa felt his hand leave her cheek and a moment later the bed dipped from behind her. Jesse's arms came around her, holding her tightly and she tucked herself securely into him, closing her eyes without another word. It didn't matter what was wrong now. She was safe in his arms.

Jesse held her close and clasped a petite hand in his, but kept his eyes opened, afraid of what might happen if he were to fall asleep. The night wore on though and eventually the darkness claimed him, but even in sleep his hand never let hers go.

I'm back! This one will be three chapters long. Hope you all like it! Please review!