Hey thanks to those who read my first chapter and reviewed. Especially to Laily who posted my very first review ever! I hope you like this chapter too.
Jesse woke from the nightmare with a start. With his heart still wildly beating, he ran his hands over his damp face and into his hair. It was just a nightmare, he told himself as he looked around trying to get his bearings. It was early in the morning, and the sun was just starting to shine through the windows. Trying to stretch out all the kinks from a very uncomfortable sleep, Jesse silently cursed the lack of room on the plane.
"You think the dominion could have at least gotten us first class tickets" mumbled Jesse quietly as he stood up, to head to the washroom, when Lexa's sigh caught his attention. After a few moments he realized that he was just standing there, staring at her sleeping form. Disgusted with himself, Jesse headed down the isle. What am I thinking?! Lexa is my teammate and nothing more. Even if I would like her to be, she has proven time and time again she doesn't want me, Images of her and Blake flashed through the Moleculars mind, causing his fists and jaw to clench with anger. Even after all this time, just the thought of her and Blake together was enough to infuriate him. And what pissed him off even more was that he was still mad about it. In the past couple of months Jesse had been out every weekend. Every night with a different beautiful woman. But why was it every time he tried to remember their names only one came to mind? And the only face that would appear to him was one with Dark hair and bright, blue eyes?
* * *
The terminal was pretty deserted when Jesse and Lexa walked through it, heading towards their rental jeep. Lexa had woken up just as the pilot was informing everyone to fasten their seat belts for descent. She had stretched, buckled herself in, and turned around to suggest to Jesse that they go out for breakfast. However one look at Jesses face quickly had her changing her mind. Jesse the most well temperate man she had ever met was staring off in space with a look of murder on his face. Concern quickly replaced the wonderment and had her placed her hand on his arm." Are you okay, Jess?"
At the husky sound of Lexa's sleep filled voice, desire poured into Jesse systems. The reaction of his body, to her innocent words, did not help Jesse mood any. Why couldn't he get over her!
The glare he shot her way had Lexa's brows rising, even as she drew back her hand. "Sorry Rocky, was just trying to be nice."
At her cool statement, Jesse felt like an ass. Just because his body would not listen to his head, was no reason to take it out on her. Reaching out, and grabbing her hand, Jesse waited until her icy blue eyes met his. "I'm sorry Lex. You were being nice, and I snapped at you. I was wrong. Sorry"
Lexa's eyes warmed, as she accepted his apology. "No problem. Hey I'm starved, what do you say we go eat breakfast before hitting the road?"
"Sounds great to me," replied Jesse, just as his stomach let out a loud growl. Lexa burst out laughing, and Jesse sheepishly joined her.
"We hope you enjoy your flight, and that we will see you all again soon. Thank you for flying, North West Airlines." boomed the overhead voice of the captain. Jesse stood up, and following Lexa off the airplane, leaving his bad mood and worries behind on the plane.
* * *
Shalimar loved the night. Being a feral she much rather preferred the solitude and calm that one can feel at nighttime. The shining stars in an ink black sky, the crisp silent air, and the sounds of prey hiding while predators prowled. Then after a night out, she would slink back home to her nice cozy room, and curl up in a ball. Getting up at 6:30 in the morning was not natural for her. When she pointed that out to Brennen, still yawning, when she entered the kitchen, he just laughed at her and handed her his coffee.
"Why did we have to go meet Dr. Owens so early? Couldn't it have waited till at least 9?" At Brennen's pointed look, Shalimar's full bottom lip poked out in a sulk. "I know we have to go save the world, again, from crazy terrorists, again, and concoct a cure to the disease that one of us will probably get. Again. But even Superheroes need their sleep!"
Brennen walked over to Shal and took her into his arms. The tired feral cuddled in, laying her head against his heart. Brennen smiled as he heard her little sigh of contentment. Slowly rubbing her back, Brennen bend his head down and kissed the top of her head. This time it was Shalimar who's face lit up in a smile. After several minutes of just holding each other, Brennen slowly let go of Shalimar, and stepped back, peering down into her face. "I will get the helix already, and you can go into your seat and have nap." Shalimar's mind had started drifting, but at the word nap she snapped to. All thoughts of grabbing Brennen, and pulling his face down for a kiss, temporally fled her mind at the prospect of getting more sleep. She leaned up on her tiptoes and placed a quick, soft kiss on his lips.
At the first feel of Shalimar's lips against his own, Brennen froze. Then before he a chance to pull her closer, kiss her back, or do anything, she was gone, throwing a "thanks Brennen" over her shoulder as she walked to the helix. Several minutes later, Brennen lightly shook himself, finally moving from the spot he had been rooted in since she kissed him. Walking out of the kitchen, Brennen winced slightly, wondering if he could fit in a shower before they had to go. Preferably a cold one. A really cold one.
* * *
Driving along the highway in their rented jeep, Jesse and Lexa quietly took in the beautiful scenery. The mountains rose up majestically all around them, reaching towards the sky, like a long lost lover. The sky itself, was an intense clear blue, with a handful of fluffy white clouds passing through it. The river that snaked through the valley was a deep, glacier blue, with white beaches around her edges. The trees in the surrounding forests, were all tall, and green, and around their trunks you could see a splattering of color, wild flowers. Birds flew from tree to tree, and deer grazed on the side of the road.
Inside the jeep, country music was softly playing on the radio. Lexa had been surprised when, flipping through the radio stations Jesse had asked her to keep it on this station. He likes country, she speculated to herself, but dresses like a rich boy. He is one of the nicest men I have ever know, yet this morning on the plane…Lexa shuddered remember the look on his face. I should know now not to be surprised when it comes to Jesse. Every time I think I have him pegged, he surprises me. Like right now. Lexa turned slightly in her seat angling her body towards Jesse so she could look at him easier. Jesse was driving, with the top off the jeep, his golden blond locks moving with the air, pressing the jeep to go faster and faster. Who would have thought that Jesse had that careless, recklessness in him? Pondering this Lexa, didn't hear him.
"Lexa? Lexa? Earth to Lexa?"
"What? Oh, sorry Jess I didn't hear you. What did you ask me?" Lexa sat up in her seat slightly embarrassed at having been caught daydreaming.
"I asked if you were going to tell me about the people we are staying with? They are friends of yours?" Inquired Jesse, still slightly shocked that she had friends. From the way she spoke he had thought she had no friends, outside of mutant X that is.
"Well," Lexa responded hesitantly, as if pondering how much to tell him,
"Their names are Anna and Jake Chadwick. They have been married for over 30 years, and own the ranch we are staying at. They work with horses, breeding them, training them, doing you know horse things. They have no kids, but still have a house full. They have always taken misfits, but always have a way of turning them around. They are the kindest people and most wonderful people I have ever meet, and if I could have picked my parents it would have been them."
"When Leo and I were younger we met Jack through our…parents." Lexa's lip curled up as if she had just eaten something unpleasant. "He was working with them, doing what I have no idea." she added when she saw the question in his face. "All I know was when we were little he was the only person besides Leo that I loved and trusted with everything I had. As we got older Jack somehow made it arranges for us to move in with him and his wife, Anna. I can still remember the first time I walked into the house. It smelled like baking, Mr. clean and candle wax." Catching herself falling into one of the few happy memories of her life, Lexa pulled herself back to the present. "Leo and I lived there for a few years until his power started to get out of control. We knew we could not stay there any longer with out putting the Chadwick's at risk so we ran away."
"How old were you then?" Jesse asked his heart breaking for the girl, who had to give up the only happiness she had ever know, to look after her sick brother.
"We were about 17, maybe it was 18. I can't remember anymore. Anyways that isn't important. I have seen the Chadwick's a number of times through out the years, and they know we are coming and that I am bringing a friend with me. They know that we work together, but that is it. They do not know, nor will they ever find out what we do. Be vague or just don't tell, but they cannot know. I don't want them in any danger. Got it?" Lexa asked, in a voice like steal.
"Don't worry Lexa," responded Jesse, as he put his arm over her shoulder to give it a reassuring squeeze, "I will not say a word, and I will protect them with my life if necessary." Oddly touched by his response, Lexa smiled and leaned back onto his arm.
As Jesse let his fingers play with Lexa's hair, his mind reviewed what she had just told him. He wasn't sure she would have told him all this, if it had not been for the, mission, but he couldn't help holding in the smile. Lexa was opening up to him, and she was taking him home to meet her parents.
* * *
Jesse woke from the nightmare with a start. With his heart still wildly beating, he ran his hands over his damp face and into his hair. It was just a nightmare, he told himself as he looked around trying to get his bearings. It was early in the morning, and the sun was just starting to shine through the windows. Trying to stretch out all the kinks from a very uncomfortable sleep, Jesse silently cursed the lack of room on the plane.
"You think the dominion could have at least gotten us first class tickets" mumbled Jesse quietly as he stood up, to head to the washroom, when Lexa's sigh caught his attention. After a few moments he realized that he was just standing there, staring at her sleeping form. Disgusted with himself, Jesse headed down the isle. What am I thinking?! Lexa is my teammate and nothing more. Even if I would like her to be, she has proven time and time again she doesn't want me, Images of her and Blake flashed through the Moleculars mind, causing his fists and jaw to clench with anger. Even after all this time, just the thought of her and Blake together was enough to infuriate him. And what pissed him off even more was that he was still mad about it. In the past couple of months Jesse had been out every weekend. Every night with a different beautiful woman. But why was it every time he tried to remember their names only one came to mind? And the only face that would appear to him was one with Dark hair and bright, blue eyes?
* * *
The terminal was pretty deserted when Jesse and Lexa walked through it, heading towards their rental jeep. Lexa had woken up just as the pilot was informing everyone to fasten their seat belts for descent. She had stretched, buckled herself in, and turned around to suggest to Jesse that they go out for breakfast. However one look at Jesses face quickly had her changing her mind. Jesse the most well temperate man she had ever met was staring off in space with a look of murder on his face. Concern quickly replaced the wonderment and had her placed her hand on his arm." Are you okay, Jess?"
At the husky sound of Lexa's sleep filled voice, desire poured into Jesse systems. The reaction of his body, to her innocent words, did not help Jesse mood any. Why couldn't he get over her!
The glare he shot her way had Lexa's brows rising, even as she drew back her hand. "Sorry Rocky, was just trying to be nice."
At her cool statement, Jesse felt like an ass. Just because his body would not listen to his head, was no reason to take it out on her. Reaching out, and grabbing her hand, Jesse waited until her icy blue eyes met his. "I'm sorry Lex. You were being nice, and I snapped at you. I was wrong. Sorry"
Lexa's eyes warmed, as she accepted his apology. "No problem. Hey I'm starved, what do you say we go eat breakfast before hitting the road?"
"Sounds great to me," replied Jesse, just as his stomach let out a loud growl. Lexa burst out laughing, and Jesse sheepishly joined her.
"We hope you enjoy your flight, and that we will see you all again soon. Thank you for flying, North West Airlines." boomed the overhead voice of the captain. Jesse stood up, and following Lexa off the airplane, leaving his bad mood and worries behind on the plane.
* * *
Shalimar loved the night. Being a feral she much rather preferred the solitude and calm that one can feel at nighttime. The shining stars in an ink black sky, the crisp silent air, and the sounds of prey hiding while predators prowled. Then after a night out, she would slink back home to her nice cozy room, and curl up in a ball. Getting up at 6:30 in the morning was not natural for her. When she pointed that out to Brennen, still yawning, when she entered the kitchen, he just laughed at her and handed her his coffee.
"Why did we have to go meet Dr. Owens so early? Couldn't it have waited till at least 9?" At Brennen's pointed look, Shalimar's full bottom lip poked out in a sulk. "I know we have to go save the world, again, from crazy terrorists, again, and concoct a cure to the disease that one of us will probably get. Again. But even Superheroes need their sleep!"
Brennen walked over to Shal and took her into his arms. The tired feral cuddled in, laying her head against his heart. Brennen smiled as he heard her little sigh of contentment. Slowly rubbing her back, Brennen bend his head down and kissed the top of her head. This time it was Shalimar who's face lit up in a smile. After several minutes of just holding each other, Brennen slowly let go of Shalimar, and stepped back, peering down into her face. "I will get the helix already, and you can go into your seat and have nap." Shalimar's mind had started drifting, but at the word nap she snapped to. All thoughts of grabbing Brennen, and pulling his face down for a kiss, temporally fled her mind at the prospect of getting more sleep. She leaned up on her tiptoes and placed a quick, soft kiss on his lips.
At the first feel of Shalimar's lips against his own, Brennen froze. Then before he a chance to pull her closer, kiss her back, or do anything, she was gone, throwing a "thanks Brennen" over her shoulder as she walked to the helix. Several minutes later, Brennen lightly shook himself, finally moving from the spot he had been rooted in since she kissed him. Walking out of the kitchen, Brennen winced slightly, wondering if he could fit in a shower before they had to go. Preferably a cold one. A really cold one.
* * *
Driving along the highway in their rented jeep, Jesse and Lexa quietly took in the beautiful scenery. The mountains rose up majestically all around them, reaching towards the sky, like a long lost lover. The sky itself, was an intense clear blue, with a handful of fluffy white clouds passing through it. The river that snaked through the valley was a deep, glacier blue, with white beaches around her edges. The trees in the surrounding forests, were all tall, and green, and around their trunks you could see a splattering of color, wild flowers. Birds flew from tree to tree, and deer grazed on the side of the road.
Inside the jeep, country music was softly playing on the radio. Lexa had been surprised when, flipping through the radio stations Jesse had asked her to keep it on this station. He likes country, she speculated to herself, but dresses like a rich boy. He is one of the nicest men I have ever know, yet this morning on the plane…Lexa shuddered remember the look on his face. I should know now not to be surprised when it comes to Jesse. Every time I think I have him pegged, he surprises me. Like right now. Lexa turned slightly in her seat angling her body towards Jesse so she could look at him easier. Jesse was driving, with the top off the jeep, his golden blond locks moving with the air, pressing the jeep to go faster and faster. Who would have thought that Jesse had that careless, recklessness in him? Pondering this Lexa, didn't hear him.
"Lexa? Lexa? Earth to Lexa?"
"What? Oh, sorry Jess I didn't hear you. What did you ask me?" Lexa sat up in her seat slightly embarrassed at having been caught daydreaming.
"I asked if you were going to tell me about the people we are staying with? They are friends of yours?" Inquired Jesse, still slightly shocked that she had friends. From the way she spoke he had thought she had no friends, outside of mutant X that is.
"Well," Lexa responded hesitantly, as if pondering how much to tell him,
"Their names are Anna and Jake Chadwick. They have been married for over 30 years, and own the ranch we are staying at. They work with horses, breeding them, training them, doing you know horse things. They have no kids, but still have a house full. They have always taken misfits, but always have a way of turning them around. They are the kindest people and most wonderful people I have ever meet, and if I could have picked my parents it would have been them."
"When Leo and I were younger we met Jack through our…parents." Lexa's lip curled up as if she had just eaten something unpleasant. "He was working with them, doing what I have no idea." she added when she saw the question in his face. "All I know was when we were little he was the only person besides Leo that I loved and trusted with everything I had. As we got older Jack somehow made it arranges for us to move in with him and his wife, Anna. I can still remember the first time I walked into the house. It smelled like baking, Mr. clean and candle wax." Catching herself falling into one of the few happy memories of her life, Lexa pulled herself back to the present. "Leo and I lived there for a few years until his power started to get out of control. We knew we could not stay there any longer with out putting the Chadwick's at risk so we ran away."
"How old were you then?" Jesse asked his heart breaking for the girl, who had to give up the only happiness she had ever know, to look after her sick brother.
"We were about 17, maybe it was 18. I can't remember anymore. Anyways that isn't important. I have seen the Chadwick's a number of times through out the years, and they know we are coming and that I am bringing a friend with me. They know that we work together, but that is it. They do not know, nor will they ever find out what we do. Be vague or just don't tell, but they cannot know. I don't want them in any danger. Got it?" Lexa asked, in a voice like steal.
"Don't worry Lexa," responded Jesse, as he put his arm over her shoulder to give it a reassuring squeeze, "I will not say a word, and I will protect them with my life if necessary." Oddly touched by his response, Lexa smiled and leaned back onto his arm.
As Jesse let his fingers play with Lexa's hair, his mind reviewed what she had just told him. He wasn't sure she would have told him all this, if it had not been for the, mission, but he couldn't help holding in the smile. Lexa was opening up to him, and she was taking him home to meet her parents.
* * *