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

Chapter 2

Shalimar woke early, smiling as she found Brennan asleep beside her. She snuggled closer to him and closed her eyes trying to remember what had happened. The last thing she could bring to mind was Brennan's hands on her back and shoulders. She smiled when she realized that he had tied her bikini top back up. He was such a gentleman sometimes. After a few more minutes she decided it was time to get up. Shivering she grabbed Brennan's shirt and threw it over her head, before making her way upstairs to find some real clothes.

Brennan woke to the smell of fresh coffee and eggs. Following his nose to the kitchen he found Shalimar cooking.

"Mmm," He slipped past her and kissed her cheek as he reached for a mug. "Morning."

She smiled. "Good morning."

Brennan took a seat at the table and sipped his coffee. "You don't by chance want to make one for me do you?"

"An egg?" She looked over her shoulder and watched as he nodded. "I already did. There is enough here for both of us."

Brennan stood and kissed her as he passed to put a few pieces of bread in the toaster. "You're the best."

She smiled and grabbed two dished before serving the food and pouring some coffee for herself.

Jesse woke with Lexa still tucked in his arms. He listened for a moment holding his breath. Relief washed through him as he picked up the sound of her steady breathing. She was still asleep. He slipped out of the bed, being careful not to wake her and headed to his room to wash and change.

Brennan smiled as he watched Shalimar put the empty plates into the dishwasher. "You know?" He stepped up behind her and slapped her backside.

She gasped and spun around, shocked when he caught her arms and kissed her.

"You're really sexy when you're working."

Shalimar giggled as Brennan enveloped her and deepened the kiss.

"Ahem."

They jumped apart as they heard Jesse clear his throat.

"Morning, Jesse." Shalimar smiled as she pulled away from Brennan and made a cup of coffee for him.

"Morning. Thanks, Shal." His lack of enthusiasm was evident, but it wasn't because he had just woken up and Shalimar could tell.

"You ok, sweetie?" Her arms slipped around his shoulders from behind after placing the hot mug down.

It took a minute for him to respond. "Yeah," he sipped the hot drink. "I'm going to the lab." He stood out of Shalimar's arms. "Leave Lexa asleep, but make sure you keep a close eye on her."

"Is she ok?" Brennan asked. "Shal and I fell asleep a little early last night, we didn't hear you come in."

Jesse frowned and shook his head. "No. She's not ok," he sighed. "She's dying."

Shalimar gasped. "Huh, from what?"

His shoulders dropped. "Her DNA…it isn't stable."

"Can you save her?" Brennan stepped up behind Shalimar.

"I don't know. Doctor Marcus and I are so close to finding a serum for this. We just need a little more time. Lexa doesn't have much more though."

Shalimar stepped up and wrapped her arms around him offering what comfort she could give. "You'll find it and she'll be fine."

He nodded as he hugged her back. "I hope your right." Sighing he pulled back and turned. "I need to go. Just keep an eye on her."

"We will," Shalimar promised.

He turned and was about to leave when he remembered something. "Oh, don't tell her what's going on."

"She doesn't know?" Brennan asked slightly shocked.

Jesse shifted uncomfortably. "I couldn't tell her."

Shalimar stepped up and kissed his cheek. "We won't tell her. Now go."

"Thanks, Shal."

Lexa was in bed all day. Shalimar and Brennan checked on her every 30 minutes making sure she was comfortable and ok.

The feral sighed as she buried herself in her lover's arms. "I'm worried, Brennan."

He enclosed her as the fire in the fire place danced and he leaned back on the side of the couch. "I am, too, but you said yourself Jesse would never let anything happen to her. She'll be fine. Stop worrying." He kissed her head.

She tilted her head up and caught his lips.

Brennan moaned and let his tongue slide gently across her lips in a silent request.

Shalimar smiled and let him deepen the kiss as she pressed her body to his. They both faintly heard Jesse's voice calling them but neither wanted to respond. Finally Shalimar pulled away and answered "We're here, Jesse?"

"Is Lexa ok?"

"She's fine. She's been in bed all day, though."

"Ok, I'm almost done here. I think we might have the cure."

"Jesse, that's great!" Shalimar shrieked.

"Yeah." They could hear the relief in his voice. "Wake her up. Try to get her to eat something light."

"Alright," she answered. "See you in a bit." The connection was broken. "Brennan, this is great!"

He smiled and released her. "It is, but calm down. Jesse said 'might have the cure' and we aren't supposed to tell Lex remember."

Shalimar took a small calming breath and nodded. "You're right," she sighed. "Come on."

"Hey," Brennan caught her hand and pressed a soft kiss to her lips as she turned. "He'll find it."

Shalimar smiled and hugged him before they went to get Lexa.

The rest of the day passed slowly. Shalimar and Brennan tried to wake Lexa before starting dinner but she wouldn't get out of bed. Jesse came in around four o'clock in an exceptionally good mood. "I'm home!" He took off his coat and shoes and then walked into the small dining room.

"Where's Lexa?"

"In her room," Brennan answered.

"Jesse, she wouldn't even try to get up for us. We've been checking in on her all day but she looked worse this past time."

Jesse's brow creased. "That's ok," He reached into a small pack and pulled out a vile. "This will help her."

"You found it!?" Shalimar squeaked as she walked around the table.

"Yes. It took us six months, but we found it."

She bit back a scream and threw her arms around him.

He smiled and hugged her back before gently pushing her away. "I need to give this to Lex," He headed for the stairs, carrying the small pack in his hand.

Brennan grinned. "I told you she'd be ok." He stepped up and kissed her gently.

She chuckled and shook her head.

Jesse stepped quietly into Lexa's room and turned a dim light on. "Lexa," he called gently as he took a seat beside her on the bed. "Lex, wake up for me, sweetheart."

She groaned as Jesse brushed his hand over her cheek.

Jesse shuddered as he looked at her. She was deathly pale and her breathing had become very shallow. "Lexa, I know you don't feel good. I'm going to give you a shot, though and then this'll all be over," he said as he took her arm.

Lexa pulled her arm back with what little strength she had. "Why didn't you tell me I was dying?"

"Shalimar and Brennan told you?"

"No. Jess, you don't think I could figure it out? Why didn't you tell me?"

He sighed. "I didn't tell you because I knew I could help you. There was no point in making you worry about it."

She struggled as she pushed herself to a sitting position. "Don't you think I have somewhat of a right to know that I'm going to die?"

"Lexa, you aren't going to die." He cupped her face in his hands and spoke calmly but directly. "When I scanned you last night I found that your DNA was breaking down, because…you're unstable."

"I guessed as much." She frowned at him with a hard glare.

He sighed. "I'm sorry, but the added stress wouldn't have helped you any."

She closed her eyes as she struggled for a breath. "I knew it was coming," Tears slid down her cheeks. "I just didn't want it to be so soon."

"Lex,"

"I guess I've had my years. This new one wasn't for me."

His heart broke as he watched her.

"I'm scared, Jesse."

"Lexa," He pulled her close holding her gently as she started to cry. "Listen, stop crying." Brushing her hair back he rested his hand on her cheek and pulled away meeting her eyes. "We found the cure. Doctor Marcus and I found the serum for mutant stabilization." He pulled out the vile and handed it to her.

The white liquid shimmered in the dim light of her room as she held it delicately in her hand. She was left speechless. "Jesse…"

"I would never let anything happen to you." Taking the vile, he filled a syringe with its contents. "Give me your arm."

Lexa turned her head as she held her arm out. A cold wipe slid across her skin and then she winced as the needle pierced her. A few seconds and the pain was gone.

Jesse placed a soft kiss where he had inserted the needle and then just held her hand. "I promise you, Lexa, you're going to see many more new years before it's your time to go."

Tears welled in her eyes as she moved slowly into Jesse's arms. "Thank you."

He felt her start to tremble as she cried and he held her strongly. "Lex?"

She smiled through her tears and kissed him quickly. "Thank you! Oh God, thank you so much."

Jesse smiled and encased her in his arms, rocking her slightly as her joy spilt over. He had never seen her so happy.

She gasped as the air left her lungs and it threw her into a coughing fit.

"Hey, alright that's enough. No more excitement." He supported her as she leaned back and breathed deeply. "Take it easy, ok?"

She just nodded slightly.

"Well you're stuck with us for good now."

Lexa and Jesse smiled as they saw Brennan and Shalimar in the doorway.

"Yep, stuck with us for the rest of your life," Shalimar agreed as she leaned against Brennan.

She smiled and wiped her tears. "I couldn't think of better people to be stuck with."

"Come on," Jesse smiled and stood holding out his hand. "Let's go eat. Shalimar and Brennan made dinner."

They laughed as Brennan headed for the stairs, pulling Shalimar with him, at the mention of food.

She shook her head. "You go. I'm really not that hungry."

"Come on, Lexa, you have to eat at least a little. Your body needs it."

"I can't Jess. I can't even move."

"How about I bring something up and we can eat together?"

She groaned and slid under her covers. "Can't I just go back to sleep?"

He leaned down and pulled the covers over her shoulders before kissing her head. "I'll let you sleep for five hours, after that you're getting up. It is New Year's Eve, you know?"

She smiled. "Thanks, Jesse." Her hand brushed his cheek before her lips met his in silent gratitude.

Dinner was quiet. Shalimar watched Jesse closely knowing he wanted to do more for Lexa. She knew how he felt, but there was nothing any of them could really do except wait until she was better.

They watched a movie to pass some time and then just talked together, but each of them felt like their group was incomplete.

Finally the fifth hour passed. Jesse stood and stretched, looking at the clock. It was nine. "I'm going to get Lexa,"

"Go ahead. We'll be here." Shalimar's eyes never left Brennan's and she giggled as he brushed his nose against hers.

Jesse shook his head and headed up the stairs, leaving them caught in each other's gaze.

Brennan smiled as he pushed Shalimar to lie on the couch and trapped her with his body. "I love you," he whispered as he leaned down to capture her lips.

"Mmm…I….love you…t…"

"Shalimar, Brennan, get up here!"

They jumped as Jesse yelled for them. From the tone of his voice they could tell something was wrong. In a matter of seconds they were in Lexa's room.

"Jesse, what's wrong?" Shalimar saw the terror on his face and took his shoulders when he didn't answer her. "Jesse?"

"Shal," He gripped her arms. "I can't wake her up."

One more to go...