Chapter 7: Learning To Dance

The Lab

"Hey sleepyhead." Jesse smiled as he saw Alyssa's eyes flicker open and focus on him.

"Hi…where's Lexa?"

"What, no thanks for saving your life," Gives Alyssa a mocked hurt look. "Boy, you're killing me here."

Alyssa looks at Jesse through worried eyes, "I—I'm sorry."

"Ah-ha, gotcha, It's alright. I'm just glad my super mutant sister is alive. "Jesse starts to examine Alyssa.

"Ow!" Squeaked Alyssa.

"Sorry, you still have some healing to do." Jesse continues examining Alyssa.

In The Lab(One Hour Later)

"…and then I downloaded some images from cameras around the city. It was actually quite ingenious. By that time Brennan, Cassidy and Shalimar had gotten back and we called Jesse and Lexa and they went to—"

"—Ian!" Cassidy jumps in, "She knows the rest…she was there." Cassidy finished with a 'Duh!' look on her face. Then turning to Alyssa. "Allie, how are you? Really?"

"I'm good, a little sore. Can you believe that Jesse, Lexa, Shalimar and Brennan tried to find me after I ran away?" She looks at Cassidy in awe, the admiration for the four members of mutant x reflecting in her eyes.

"Well, it's not that surprising actually. Jesse's your brother…" Cassidy dropped a hint eyeing Alyssa.

"Yeah, but it's just biology." Sadness came into her eyes and she looked away.

"Allie, it's not just biology. Jesse loves you, cares for you. You're his sister and he's your brother." Looking hard into Alyssa's eyes. "And that does matter!" Then looking at Alyssa wistfully, "At least you have someone."

"Cass…I'm sorry, you're right. I am lucky."

The three sat in silence for a moment before Ian speaks.

"Cass, have you had any luck finding your mom?"

"What?" Alyssa looks at Ian in surprise then spinning her head around in Cassidy's direction. "Since when are you searching for your mom again?"

A hint of joy came into her voice when she spoke of finding her mom. "Actually, Jesse's been on the computer all morning." Cassidy's smile widened. "Shalimar mentioned it to him…and well you know boys and their toys."

"Is he really as bad as Ian is on the computer?" Alyssa asks giggling, a sparkle in her eyes.

"Almost!" Cassidy responds, trying to control the laughter she felt inside.

"Hey, I'm still here." Ian speaks up looking slightly embarrassed.

Cassidy and Alyssa take one look at Ian's beat red face and collapse into a heap of giggles.

In The Kitchen

Lexa walks in and sees Shalimar looking at some photographs. "Hey, what are those?"

Caught unaware, Shalimar startles and turns to see Lexa looking at her inquiringly. Dodging the question she speak, "How's Alyssa?"

"She's fine." Giving Shalimar a strange look she starts to walk towards Shalimar. "What is that?"

Jumping up Shalimar hides the photos behind her back and gives Lexa a mischievous look. "Oh, nothing interesting."

"And I'm supposed to believe that?"

Shalimar rushes around to the other side of the table out of Lexa's reach. "Lex, um, I have…to go…shopping." Looks in the fridge. "Yep, shopping." Her eyes dart back to Lexa, " I'll take Brennan, Ian and Cassidy. Alyssa is sleeping so you and Jesse might be able to have some more…um…quality time together!!"

Giggling Shalimar swiftly exits and takes off at a run leaving a confused and suspicious Lexa in her wake.

In The Kitchen (One Hour Later)

Alyssa wanders into the kitchen. She had snuck off while Jesse was busy on the computer and Lexa was nowhere to be seen. Finding a note on the table, she read it.

Lexa, Jesse:

Brennan, Cassidy, Ian and I have gone out for a while. Alyssa is probably sleeping. Now seeing that you have a little bit of…time alone…maybe you should make the best of it. Drawn is a winking face.

Have fun,

Shalimar

Alyssa stares at the note skeptically, "These people are too weird!" Shacking her head, she grabs a pre-made sandwich out of the fridge; she starts to leave the kitchen but stops when she sees Lexa and Jesse together in the next room. 'Maybe I'll go the other way. If they catch me out of bed, Jesse is gonna go all big-brotherly on me again.' Grinning at the thought she slipped silently back to the lab.

In The Living Room

"Jesse, you have got to be kidding me?" Lexa's voice was laced with disbelief. "You can't really expect me to—"

""Lex, it's just a dance." Jesse smirked, "You're not afraid are you?" Teasingly he grabbed Lexa's hand and dragged her to the center of the living room.

"Jess." Lexa's protests fell on deaf ears as Jesse continued to pull her to the center of the room. 'A dance? A dance! He wants me to dance…with him?! Guess I forgot the memo as to when we started getting serious.' Lexa listened to the soft jazzy music in the background.

Jesse had been working on the computer and then Lexa had requested that he put on some music. 'Dumb move, Lexa.' Lexa scolded herself inwardly. Jesse pulled her close and Lexa couldn't help but smell his cologne. 'I always liked that stuff.' Lexa smiled. They began to sway to the music and Lexa felt herself relaxing. 'Maybe, I'll let him get away with this, just this once.'

"Fine, one song, Jess. That's all you're getting." Lexa's smile grew wider as she saw Jesse's eyes light up. 'He's really enjoying this.'

"Okay Lexa," Jesse pulls her closer with a mischievous look, "just one dance, but I'm warning you, one may not be enough once I'm through with you." 'She's so beautiful.' He thought gazing at her face. Her dark hair tumbled down her back and Jesse could feel its silkiness. "Lexa, you are beautiful…you know."

Jesse's comment came out of nowhere for Lexa, although she should have picked up on the signals earlier. 'He's falling for me. Oh-no! Jesse!' Lexa's thoughts skidded desperately across the ice-rink of her mind. 'Don't do this Jesse, I don't know if I can resist you.'

Lexa looked in Jesse's deep blue eyes, soaking up his sweetness like a plant dieing for the sun. Without a word, Lexa pulled Jesse even closer a placed her head on his shoulder shivering as she felt his arms circle around her. 'This feels good. This feels right. Maybe this can work…just maybe.'

The End