Hey guys sorry it has been so long, but my lap top was having work done on it so I couldn't post anything. But I hope I made up for it with some quality Jesse musing, some Brennen angust, and romantic moments between Jesse and Lexa. So with out any further a due, here is chapter 12. Enjoy!

Swinging his hammer, Jesse drove another nail through the board, securing another plank in the platform. The day was hot and sunny, the kind of day that made you wish for the beach and one of those fruity drinks with an umbrella in it. Not baking under the hot sun, while getting splinters in your knees, Jesse thought darkly to himself as he felt another sliver of wood cut slid threw his jeans and pierce his skin. Driving one more nail in, Jesse stood up and stretched his arms high over his head, working out the stiffness that had settled into his shoulder from being in that position for too long. Feeling his shirt cling to him, Jesse reached down and grasped the hem, jerking it up and over his head, before throwing the wet garment out of the way. Sighing a little as the soft breeze touched his over heated body, Jesse reached down and grabbed the water jug he had brought with him. Taking a long swig, Jesse welcomed the surge of cold, sweat water that, poured into his mouth and down his throat. His thirst appeased, Jesse hefted the jug higher, pouring the remaining water over his head.

Hearing a giggle behind him, Jesse turned to see Lexa and Mindy standing by the edge of the platform he had been working on, and picnic basket in their hands. Seeing Mindy looking at him questionable, he slowly advanced on her, crouched down, hands extended in the classic tickling pose. Shrieking, the little girl looked up to her aunt Lexa for help. Unfortunately for her, Lexa was too entranced with the sight of Jesse's naked, wet and gleaming chest to pay to much notice to anything else. So squealing and giggling, Mindy was swept up in jesses arms to be held close for a quick tickle. Laughing the little girl put her arms around jesses neck and looked up into face.

"You're all wet." Mindy stated pointing out the obvious, in a way only children can get away with.

"Yes I am, and so are you." Shaking his head like a dog, all the extra moisture in his hair flew off splashing Mindy, causing the little girl to once again dissolve into giggles.

Meanwhile, Lexa was still standing off to the side, trying to pry her eyes off Jesse's amazing body. She had seen him in tight muscle, and fitted shirts, but that was nothing compared to now. His body was like that of a Greek god, all bronzed and buff. And wet. Dear god the water drop were killing her. She couldn't help but watch their journey down his body. Starting from the tips of his thick, golden locks, they rolled down shadowy checks, and over a pronounced Adams apple. Then they hit his pecks rolling down they ventured over the ridges on his abdomens, where they were monetary caught up in curly golden hairs. Before they disappeared under the waist band of Jesse's faded old jeans.

Tearing her eyes away from his body, Lexa was finally able to take in the sight before her. Jesse was nuzzling Mindy's neck, gentle running his whiskered chin over her face and neck, much to the little girls delight. They were both laughing, and holding each other close, the love between them apparent. Lexa felt her heart lurch, and all of a sudden images of her, Jesse, and Mindy doing things together flooded her mind. Shopping for school clothes, eating dinner, long car dives, watching TV. Family actives.

But before Lexa could even contemplate the meanings of her thoughts, Jesse turned, Mindy in his arms, exposing his back to Lexa. Gasping, Lexa dropped the picnic basket and flew over to Jesse. Putting her hands gently on his shoulders, she turned him to get a better look at the ugly, vicious bruise that covered his upper back.

Hearing Lexa's sharp intake of breath, Jesse lowered Mindy to the ground, gave her a little push towards the picnic basket and turned around to face Lexa. Her hands, still on his back, were captured against his chest, as Jesse looked down at her. Smiling, he released one of her hands to brush a strand of hair back behind her ears.

"Don't worry I'm okay. It looks worse then it really is." as Lexa lifted one brow disbelievingly, Jesse's smile widened, his dimples winking out boyishly. "Okay, it might hurt like a bitch. Want to kiss it better?" he amended teasingly.

Eyes serious, Lexa looked deep into Jesse's eyes for a minute, before she leaned in and brushed her lips softly over his. Then sliding her hands out from under his, she stepped around him, and placed two more soft kissed on him. This time, gently brushing her lips over the two main bruises on his back.

Turning around Jesse tried to deal with the equal parts of astonishment and desire, that were ragging through him, at Lexa's innocent little kisses. Putting a hand on Lexa shoulder, he ran his hand down to hers in a long caress, before bringing her hand up to his lips. Opening it, he placed a kiss in the palm of her hand, smiling a little the little shiver that worked it's way down Lexa's arm. Gazing at her with darkened eyes, Jesse thanked her with a voice thicken by desire.

"It's me who should be thanking you." The brunette replied, in a husky voice. The feel of his smooth skin beneath her lips, having effected her just as much as him.

The sound of Lexa's voice seemed to light a fire in Jesse, and the predatory look that light up Jesse's eyes, made Lexa's stomach muscles tense in anticipation. Jesse pulled on her hand, bringing her body crashing into his. Nostrils flaring, drinking in her scent, Jesse looked down at Lexa with eyes ablaze with passion. Starring at each other for a moment, they lost them selves in the heat of their passion, a tangible thing that seemed to hover around them. Finally Jesse lowered his head, Lexa's hands already tangling into his damp, luscious hair, tugging to bring his head closer. Pausing just before their lips brushed, Jesse chuckle at Lexa's impatience, quickly turned to a groan of annoyance, when a little body tried to wiggle between him and Lexa.

Eyes locked together, Lexa and Jesse shared a look of surprise and frustration, both having been so caught up in the moment that they had forgotten all about Mindy.

Reluctantly letting go of Jesse's hair, Lexa took a step back, and picked Mindy up, giving Jesse some time to pull himself together. Walking over to the picnic basket, Lexa and Mindy looked around, trying to find the perfect place for a picnic. Seeing a big tree not to far from where they were standing, Lexa went to reach down for the basket, only to have Jesse take it from her hand. Smiling at him, Lexa lead him over to the tree. Jesse unfolded the blanket, and with Mindy's help, spread it out under the shade of the tree. Once they sat down Lexa handed out the plates, sandwiches, chips, and Kool-Aid. Sitting in the shade, Jesse and Lexa listened to Mindy chat excitably about the upcoming dance and the new dress she had to wear with it.

"You'll save me a dance, right pumpkin?" Jesse inquired, using his nickname for the little girl.

"Yup!" Was her enthusiastic reply, her smile blooming, as she threw herself at Jesse, her small child arms encircling his neck, while she placed a loud, wet kiss on his grizzly check.

Jesses arms encircled the little girl, hugging her back. Then abruptly Jesse stood, Mindy still in his arms. Walking over to where his shirt lay, Jesse turned up the reached down and unearthed a radio. Turning it on and up, Jesse searched for a clear station. Finally finding one, he put Mindy down on the ground and bowed low before her.

"Fair Melinda. Would you do me the honour of practicing dancing with me?"

Mindy giggling like crazy, curtsied just like belle did to the beast, almost falling over in her excitement. Righting herself, she put her little hand in his, and was swept laughing, back up into Jesse's strong, loving arms. Her clear child's laugh, melding with the deeper, masculine laughter of Jesse, creating a music all onto it's own.

()

Supper was an eventful affair that night. Anna, Cat, Mindy, and even Lexa chatted excitedly about the up coming dance, while Erin, Jesse and Jack talked about the new born foals. It was the kind of diner that Jesse had always dreamed of when he was growing up. During those sombre, formal suppers, he had always wished for laughter, loudness, friendly arguments but most of all for the feeling of family, he had never felt in his own house. Here Anna kept asking him if he wanted more, while Erin and Jack asked his opinion on which colt he thought would go all the way. Cat was telling stories that were keeping the whole table in stitches, and Mindy sitting beside him, kept slipping the hated beans from her plate to his. And through it all Jesse would catch Lexa looking at him. And every time a feeling of such well being would settle over him, comforting him like a warm blanket. The only other place Jesse had ever felt like this was at sanctuary, his first real home. The fact that he felt like this about Lexa and her family only send home to Jesse how much she really meant to him. Leaning back in his chair, Jesse felt equal parts fear and amazement that he could have fallen so deeply for Lexa.

Catching Lexa looking at him again, Jesse's heart flipped over when her checks flushed red. Oh yeah, Jesse thought. I'm deafeningly going to have to talk to Brennen or Shal about this.

()

Stretching out on the swing, Jesse yawned loudly, as he lay back and looked at the night sky. Once again Jesse found himself captivated by the beauty of the nights sky here. It always seemed to settle him down, and every time Jesse gazed upwards, he couldn't help but feel awed by the universe. It had a way of putting his problems and ideals in perspective, and Jesse knew that he would miss it terribly when they returned to sanctuary.

"Hey Brennen you there?" Jesse asked into his ring, his eyes still glued to the night sky.

"Yeah man. What's up?" Came the snappy reply.

"Whoa. Maybe the better question is what's up with you?" Jesse smile evident in his voice. Lexa had told him that Shal and Brennen were trying to find an in to Michaels group and by the sounds of it, they succeeded. Or rather Shalimar did, Jesse guessed his smile growing even wider at the string of curses his could hear his best friend slewing.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. I am just sitting around here doing nothing while everyone else works on the case."

"So Shal is out with Michael I take it?"

If Jesse wasn't already sure of Brennen's feelings for Shalimar, then his tense "Yeah" would have confirmed it.

"Look Brennen, you have nothing to worry about. Shalimar will have no problem handling this guy. And there is no way she would ever fall for him. There is no competition there."

Hearing Jesse tell him this, Brennen's voice regained the little cocky attitude, that only he could pull off. "yeah I know. So how are things on your end?" Knowing his friend had a little thing for Lexa his voice adopted a teasing quality, "And how is Lexa?"

Shifting so one leg was know propped up on the opposite end of the swing, Jesse used the other foot to gently start the rocking motion of the swing. Putting one hand behind his head, Jesse wiggled around till he was more comfortable before answering.

"Well there hasn't been much going on here with regards to Michael and the shadow chasers. Cat still hasn't opened up all the way, but she will soon."

"Why don't you just ask her?" Brennen questioned, flopping down on the couch mirroring Jesse's position with out knowing it.

"That's a good question, and one I have considered. But if I was just to ask her, what guarantee do we have that she won't just take of again? If I wait till she is more comfortable with me, and then I tell her who we are, there is a better chance of her telling us everything AND her seeing this safely through."

"Well I am just glad that it is you there, and not me."

"Actually man it's great here. You should see this place, it's like God's backyard, I don't know if I have ever seen anywhere as beautiful as here. And the people are great. Lexa's Friends are wonderful, and her little niece is the sweetest kid I have ever meet."

"Wait her niece? Leo's kid?" Just the thought of Leo made Brennen feel a pang of guilt. He knew there was nothing else he could have done, but it all boiled down to the fact that Lexa had killed her own brother, her twin brother on top of that, to safe his life. And the idea that he had also been the cause of this little girls dad's death, sent him to a new level of upset.

"Yeah her name is Melinda, and she's four years old. But don't worry man, she doesn't know how her dad died, and I think she is growing to accept that her dad is in heaven now." Jesse said, remembering the acceptance Mindy seemed to have found after the other night, wishing there was someway he could relate that to Brennen, to try and ease his pain.

Deciding to lighten the mood, Jesse started telling Brennen stories about the ranch, the horses, the people and about Lexa.

"You should have seen her face when she had realized what she had stepped in. If only I had a camera."

His laughter finally subsiding, Brennen reached up and wiped the tears of laughter off his face. "thanks man I needed that. Christ would I would have given to have seen Lexa's face." Brennen couldn't help but chuckle again, imagining his cool team mates reaction to stepping in horse shit, wearing a pair of new runners. "But seriously man, how are you two getting along?"

"Fine. Great actually." Jesse paused trying to figure out best explain how he and Lexa had been getting along lately. How could he explain that she seemed to be opening up like a flower, underneath the warmth of love and family. How could he explain when ever she was near, his heart speed up, his head twirled, and his feet never touched the ground. That the sound of her laugh was a song to his ears, more beautiful then anything he has ever heard before. That every smile was like a loving caress, every touch a god sent. There was no word in the English vocabulary that could express it. That is, save one word.

"Brennen..." Jesse paused wondering if he should continue, and tell Brennen what he was feeling. "Lexa is like no other women I have ever met before..." Jesse paused and chose to ignore Brennen's snorted 'you got that right'. deciding t take the plunge he continued, "And I think I am in love with her."

Nothing but silence greeted him, his best friend momentarily stunned to silence by Jesse admittance. The silence stretched on, till finally Jesse could handle it no longer.

"Well I hope she has a better reaction then you do. Well It was nice talking to you man. See ya" Jesse said into his ring, slightly offended by Brennen's shocked manner.

Finally recovering, Brennen sat up straighter. "Wait Jess. Give me a second here. You just told me your in love with complexa, I needed a second. I guess that's the end of all of our bachelor nights."

Jesse felt a small smile touch his lips, his annoyance at Brennen calling her complexa pushed out of his mind. "Well don't cry over it yet, I have yet to tell her, and god only knows if I stand a chance."

"I don't know man. A few weeks ago I would have said 'no way in hell', but from what Shal has said, Lexa seems to have changed."

"What? When have the two of them talked?" Jesse asked, shocked by this unknown tidbit.

"I think they talk a couple of time a day. Seems like they have become good friends."

"Scary." was Jesse remark.

"Amen to that brother. Anyways I have got to go. I think I just heard the bike come in. take care man and good luck with Lexa."

"Yeah thanks, I think I will need it."

"Jesse?"

"Yeah" a sleepy Jesse responded, pulling himself off the swing, and heading towards the door.

"Congrats man. She's a lucky women."

His face splitting open in to a big smile, Jesse replied in to the ring. "Damn straight. Night man."

"Night."

hope you enjoyed it. stay tuned for some more romantic action between jesse and lexa in the next couple of chapters. and just as a warning the rating will probaly go up due to adult situations (or in other words, sex!) and please reveiw and let me know what you think so far.