Disclaimer: I do not own Mutant X, or anything else of worth for that matter…

A thanks goes out to Melodie568, who did a lot of research, beta reading, and co-writing in this chapter…take a bow!

A little side note here, on Sept 6 I am going to start taking classes online for about a month, in the time there will be no updates, as I have to focus on my studies. However, I will be writing offline, so when I get back to updating I may post another 7 straight chapters.

I am sorry for the delay this will cause, but it can't be helped, and it's something I need to do for myself.

I want to dedicate this chapter to all the victims of Hurricane Katrina, I was one of the lucky ones who survived this horrible storm, and I will never take life for granted again. God bless you all and my prayers are with you!

Chapter 33: Sleeper

Melodie couldn't believe Alex was in the hospital again. He has had been there so many times before and he was only 4 years old. Mel couldn't stay in the hospital any longer. She felt like the walls were caving in on her. She had tried to be the best mother, but she felt like she failed. She sometimes wished she had told Alex's father that she needed help raising him, but she couldn't.

She couldn't imagine how Alex felt. He had a restless last few days. Mel left her son's room, and told her mom that she was going out for something to eat and would be back in an hour or so.

Her and her mom had barely been on speaking terms the last two days. She felt bad enough without her mom throwing it up in her face what an unfit mother she was. She rubbed her throbbing head as she exited the hospital

Melodie decided to go to the restaurant across the street, just incase Alex needed her. It was called Temple. Mel walked in and got a seat. After 5 minutes of looking at the menu, Mel knew exactly what she wanted.

"Can I take your order Miss?" the waiter asked.

"Yes, I would like the baked potato and the green salad, with a coke please," Mel said handing the waiter her menu.

"Okay, coming right up," the waiter said as he turned around and started to walk away.

"Thank you."

Mel leaned back in the booth seat. Her head was throbbing, she had taken 6 aspirin's already that day, and it was only noon. She felt like she was going to throw up, and tried to stand up to get to the bathroom. However as she stands, she blanks out. She hears someone scream in the distance. Try as she may, she can't seem to understand what's going on around her.

"Oh my god, someone help! She's having a seizure!" The waiter said kneeling beside Melodie.

The waiter is unsure of what do to. He is worried she will hurt herself, so he places his hands on her to hold her down. "We need a doctor! Somebody call 911!"

"Stand back everyone please. What is going on here, I am Dr. Sullivan from the hospital across the street," Dr. Sullivan asked the waiter.

"I turned around to give her order to the kitchen and I heard a crash, I turned around to see her having a seizure and convulsing.

The waiter said. "I didn't know what to do."

"It's alright, I'll take it from here."

The waiter released Melodie from his grip, and watched as the doctor kneeled besides her checking her pupils.

"Guys, come here. I need help to take her across to the hospital," Dr. Sullivan said, motioning toward three paramedics.

By then Melodie had stopped having a seizure and stopped convulsing and lay there motionless on the ground. One of the medics ran outside to the ambulance, and got the stretcher out.

"Be careful with her, we don't know why she had a seizure," Dr. Sullivan said to the paramedics lifting Mel onto the stretcher.

Katherine Burleson sat by her grandson's bed watching him play with a toy car; a nurse had brought him to play with. She heard a commotion outside and glanced up to see doctor's rushing past the room with a convulsing patient on a gurney. She watched as they wheeled the gurney into a trauma room, across the hall from her.

She glanced back at her grandson to make sure he wasn't watching, afraid it would give him nightmares.

He glanced up at her with a sweet smile. From what little she remembered of his father, his smile was one of those things she would never forget. She was so busy looking at his bright blue eyes, that she didn't see him looking away. Before she knew it the smile faded, replaced with a look of fear.

"Mommy!"

Katherine looked at her grandson in shock, then turned to see where he was looking. She figured Mel was back from lunch, but saw nothing. "Baby, where do you see mommy?"

With tears in his eyes, he pointed.

Katherine looked across the hall, and her heart stopped. The convulsing figure was her daughter.

She crossed the room swiftly and closed the blinds. She walked back to Alex and sat down on the bed, holding him close in a tight hug.

"What's wrong with mommy?" he cried.

"Don't worry baby, I am sure she's fine."

Jesse was walking around Mel's old room searching for the photo album she left behind. He needed an excuse to see her again. He had to know more about her son, and her husband. The words tore at him. She had a son and another man was sharing her life.

His cell phone started ringing, and he jumped at the sound, "Hello?"

"Is this Jesse Kilmartin?"

"Yes, it is. Whose this?"

"Dr. Benjamin Sullivan, from St. Lucius Medical."

"Yes, what can I do for you?"

"Do you know a Melodie Burleson?"

"Yeah, why? Is something wrong with Alex?"

"Alex?"

"Yeah her son, he's in that hospital."

"Oh no, I wasn't aware of that. No, it's Ms. Burleson herself. Do you know where I can get in contact with her family?"

"I have no idea, been years since I've seen her family."

"Then you'll have to do, can you please come to the hospital?"

"Why, what's wrong?"

"She was brought in two hours ago with seizures, and I need a family member to sign off on her."

"Off on her? Oh God, tell me she isn't dead…."

"No, no, sorry didn't mean to confuse you. She needs some tests, and a emergency surgery."

"Surgery for what?" he asks as he walked out of her room heading for the garage.

"To alleviate swelling on her brain."

"Do it then, you have my permission," he said. He was about to lie, but he prayed Mel would understand, better yet, he hoped the man in Mel's life understood.

"Your family?"

"Yeah, I'm her husband," he lied.

"Oh, that explains a lot, alright you can sign the forms when you get here. I'm heading your wife into surgery."

"Alright, I'll be there in 15 minutes."

Jesse ran into the ER, and headed for the nurses' station, "Melodie Burleson please?"

"She's in the OR, please have a seat, I'll get a orderly show you upstairs."

"Hurry please," begged Jesse. "The doctor said there was some forms I had to sign."

"Oh right, wait…here you go." He said handing him a clipboard with papers attached.

Jesse briefly read the forms and signed them. He quickly handed them back to the nurse. She pointed behind him at an orderly coming toward him, "Go with him sir, he'll take you to the waiting room, outside the OR."

"Thank you."

Jesse sat there in the waiting room. He was frustrated with the lack of news on Mel. Every time he heard the elevator bell ring, he would look up and look for a man; Alex's dad and Mel's husband.

He glanced up as the doctor came through the door. Jesse stood up, "How is she?"

"She's alive, but in a coma."

"A coma?"

"We induced it, in order to give her brain enough time to heal. Has your wife recently been in an accident?"

"Yeah, she got hit in the head," said Jesse. It was half the truth. The truth was that she was hit 3 times.

"And she didn't seek help?"

"We thought she was fine."

"We'll she wasn't. Furthermore, she was dying."

"What?"

"There was a tear in her brain, it was bleeding internally. If she had gone to sleep today, she would have never woken up."

The words hit Jesse like a bullet. 'She could have died in her sleep.'

"You may go see her sir, but remember she's in a coma. However, feel free to talk to her. Oh before I forget, here's your wife's letter."

"Letter?"

"Yeah, and I apologize for having to read it, but I needed a contact for your wife."

"Oh no problem, sure she won't mind," smiled Jesse.

Jesse sat there watching Mel sleep. He glanced at his watch and was shocked to see 8 hours had passed. He got up and walked toward the window beside her bed. The moon was out, and the streets below were lit up. He glanced around at the sound of the door opening, and saw a nurse pushing Alex in; he was in a wheelchair.

Jesse turned and smiled at the boy, "Hey, you must be Alex."

"Yeah, who are you?"

"I'm Jesse, a friend of your mom's."

"Is she alright?"

"Yeah your mom is going to be just fine. She's just sleeping now."

"What happened to her?"

"She," he searched for the words to make the young boy understand. "Your mom got very sick, and she didn't realize it. But the doctor realized it, and he fixed her up."

"You don't know, do you?"

"Not completely, no," he smiled.

"How do you know my mom?"

"Went to school together."

"Then you knew my dad."

"I don't know, haven't met your dad yet."

"Oh…" said the boy in a way that let Jesse know that he was disappointed.

"Your mom met your dad in school then?"

"Yeah, college I think."

"Oh," he paused to let it sink in. She had met her husband after their break-up. "I went to high-school with her."

"Cool."

At that moment Jesse realized the nurse was still with Alex, "I can watch him, if you need to get back to work."

"What.. Oh I'm his grandmother," she smiled realizing Jesse's mistake.

"Katherine?"

"Nice to see you again Jesse."

"Been awhile, sorry didn't recognize you."

"We only met twice, would have been surprised if you had remembered me."

"How long has it been?" asked Jesse. He knew the answer, but was at a loss for things to say.

"Little over four years."

"Right, I remember now, last time I saw you was New Years right?"

"Yeah, I think your right."

"So how have you been?"

"Good," she smiled. "You?"

"Pretty good."

Katherine looked over at Melodie who was still in the coma. However, her eye caught the letter on the nightstand beside Mel. "She finally gave it to you then."

"Gave me what?"

"The letter," she said pointing.

"Oh no, the doctor used it to get in contact with someone who could sign some papers."

"Oh…" she paused awkwardly. "I better get Alex back to his room, we'll come back tomorrow."

"All right, goodnight Alex."

"Night Jesse."

"Night Katherine."

"Night."

Jesse watched as Katherine pushed Alex out of the room. He was curious as to why Katherine thought Mel had given him the letter. Nevertheless, his name was on the envelope. Maybe it's a letter that she had meant to mail to him. He saw nothing wrong with reading it. He walked over and picked it up, sitting down in the chair next to Mel.

He opened it, and the first thing he noticed was the date: September 17, 2001.

Dear Jesse,

I have been trying to write this letter for the last 3 months, and I have never been able to find the right words. Finally, I realized there was no right words to say what I needed to say.

We haven't talked since, well you know, since I threw your ring in your face. I had every intention of never talking to you again, but life has a funny way of changing your mind.

I know it wasn't your fault alone, that we broke up.

Okay, here goes. I'm 3 months pregnant.

Before you ask, it's yours.

According to the doctor, it's a boy!

Not sure, how you're going to take this, and to be honest, that scares me.

I don't need your money, but I would love for you to be in his life. Teach him things I can't. Show him the love only a father can, love him like you wanted to be when you were a kid.

When you get this, think about it and give me a call. I have your cell phone number, unless it has changed, I am enclosing your number at the bottom of this letter. If your number is different now, please let me know.

If you don't want to be in his life, I will understand. I will be hurt, but will understand

Love, Melodie

Jesse sat there stunned; he had a son!

Then it hit him; his full name was Jesse Alexander Kilmartin.

Alex was his son!

(Coma induced dream..)

(Flash back)

Today Melodie was so nervous. She was going on her first date with Jesse. They met each other awhile ago, when the beginning of the school term started. At first, they were friends but it grew into something more. Jesse had decided that he wanted to take Mel to a nice fancy French restaurant that was called Chines. It was about a 10-minute drive from St Alexandria Christian Academy where Mel and Jesse were attending high school.

Melodie was searching anxiously for something appropriate to wear. She had to dress extra nice and had to wear something formal. After searching through her whole closet for 20 minutes, Mel decided on a black halter-top dress, which came down to just above her knees. It was simple but elegant and would be perfect for dinner tonight.

As soon as she finished the last touches of her make up; there was a knock at her door. Melodie opened the door to see Jesse standing there holding a bouquet of white lilies.

"You look stunning. I brought you some flowers."

"Jesse, I love them. You must have found out that white lilies where my favorite, thank you. Just let me put these in water and we can go," Mel said filling a vase with water.

((Flash forward))

Just as Mel and Jesse were nearing the end of the property of the boarding school and neared the gates, Melodie saw a white stretch limo waiting for her and Jesse.

"What a way to travel in style." Melodie was so thrilled as she got into the limo. She was very excited but had so many butterflies in her stomach.

"I'm glad you like it. Charles, please take us to dinner," Jesse said as Charles his limo driver pulled away from the school.

10 minutes later….

Melodie and Jesse were seated at the restaurant.

"Order anything you want, I'm paying," Jess said picking up the menu.

"Thanks, everything sounds so good."

"Can I take your order?" asks the waiter.

"I think I will get the Dijon mustard glazed salmon, please," Mel said handing the waiter her menu.

"And I will get the roasted lamb with roasted potatoes. Thank you," Jess said as the waiter walked away.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have ordered that, that was too expensive. Let me get him back over here, I'll order something cheaper."

"Nonsense, you ordered what you wanted, and I'm going to make sure you have it."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"All right. Then would you mind if I ordered something to drink with that?"

"Of course you can, as long as it isn't alcoholic."

"Of course it isn't, I was thinking Cider or something."

"Cool," says Jesse as he raises his hand to get the waiters attention.

"Yes sir?"

"We would like apple cider to go with our order."

"Very well, coming right up Mr. Kilmartin."

Jesse wrinkled his nose at the title as the waiter turned and walked away. Melodie snickered at the expression on Jesse' face, "I take it you don't like being called Mr. Kilmartin."

"No I don't, but enough of that. Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"

"Not sure."

"Well, you do."

"Thanks.

The food is served and the young couple goes about eating and making small talk. Melodie was nervous, and she could tell Jesse was too. By the way he was acting. She had wanted to go out with Jesse since the day she met him, but figured the best she could hope for was friends. She had almost fainted when he asked her out.

She reached over for her glass of cider, and to her horror she tipped the glass and poured it out on Jesse.

"Oh no, I am so sorry."

"No problem, I won't melt," he laughed

Later that night as she cried herself to sleep, she reflected on the biggest mistake of her life. 'He is never going to ask me out again. I blew it!'

3 months later…

(Flash back)

Today was a very special day; Mel had just enrolled in college earlier that day. She was so excited. High school was finally over; she and Jesse could live together. Jesse asked her to meet him at his new loft tonight for a romantic dinner. They had been together for a little over two years. Melodie knocked on Jesse's door at 7:30. When Mel walked into his apartment there were rose petals covering the floor and candles everywhere. Mel walked into the living room to see Jesse down on one knee with a ring in his hands.

"Melodie, I would like to tell you that you are the most beautiful and intelligent person I have ever met. I can't imagine not being with you. We have been through so much together and I would like to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" Jesse didn't show emotion very much but he had a tear rolling down his cheek as he waited for her answer.

"Yes, yes, of course I'll marry you, Jesse. I love you," said Mel with tears in her eyes.

"I love you too," Jess said, as he put the beautiful diamond ring on Mel's finger.

"It's beautiful."

"Mel, this ring is not just any ring, it used to be my grandmothers, and she passed it down to me and told me that if I ever find the love of my life to marry her and give her this ring. Melodie I love you more then you can imagine," Jess said kissing Melodie passionately.

Jesse sat and watched Mel sleep. He wondered what she was seeing in her dreams. He couldn't wait for her to wake up. He wanted to ask her about Alex, arrange to be there for her, for Alex. He was a father; he still couldn't believe it.

Melodie stirred in her sleep, and he watched as she opened her eyes. "Hey, your awake."

"Hey."

"How are you?"

"Sore."

"Yeah I bet. You'll be fine though."

"Good to know."

Jesse walked out the front door of the hospital. He needed to make a phone call, and couldn't use his cell phone inside.

He dialed the all familiar number and waited for the pick-up on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Shal, I need to tell someone..my mind is all messed u.."

"Jesse? Calm down..where are you?"

"St.Lucuis, Mel had a seizure, I guess a drawback of getting hit in the head the last week or so."

"Is she alright?"

"Yeah, she's in a coma though. Shal?"

"Yeah?"

"I have a son!"

"You what?"

"Mel had a son by me, his name is Alex, he looks just like me.."

"Slow down, tell me everything."

"I only know I have a son and his name. I have to wait for Mel to wake up for more info."

"I can't believe she didn't tell you."

"Me either."

"How are you going to handle this with her?"

"I don't know, I guess I'll find out when she wakes up."

2 days later…

Mel woke up and looked across the darkened room at the figure in the corner, "Jess."

"Hey."

"What are you doing?"

"Watching you sleep."

"That must be boring."

"Not really, gives me time to think."

"About what?"

"Alex."

Melodie almost jumped awake at the sound of her son's name. "Where is he?"

"Sleeping at home with his grandmother."

"So you know?"

"That he's my son, yeah."

"You mad at me?"

"I was, but I understand why you didn't tell me. But I want to be there, I want to be in his life."

"Okay, I think he would like that."

"And I want to be in your life as well."

"We'll see."

Ok next up, as soon as I come back from my break (due to studies), is a big jump.

I might update during my break, but I am sure I won't.

Please understand, and review please.