Authors Note:
Hey Guys!
If you are reading this, I have two things to say to you. One thank you for sticking with me, and two, I am so very sorry for the wait. Things have been really ruff for me in the past few months, and on top of that I have had serious writers block. Btu I have had so many emails lately to post more, so I finally got my self in gear. I promised that I would finish this, and I will keep that promise. Please write a quick review or email me so I know how many people are still reading this. Feel free to flame away, I deserve it.
Extra thanks to Rouge31, mxangel, impulse5, loveconquers, Maria and everyone else who told me to keep going. Thanks guys.
Now with out future a due, here is a new chapter. Another will be up in a couple of weeks.
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"How did I ever get dragged into this?" Jesse asked out loud, shaking his head in self disgust. Loaded down with bags, and packages, Jesse was starting to feel very much like a pack mule. A stupid pack mule, he corrected, thinking of how easy it had been for Lexa to convince him to come along. When she had smiled up at him, politely asking him to join her, Anna, and Mindy, his mind had turned t mush. then when she laid her hand on his forearm, and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek, all self preservation instincts had flown out the window. Grimacing Jesse remember the mirth that clearly radiated off Jack and Erin, as they shock their heads, laughing at him, and headed off to the safety of the barn. Lucky bastards.
"Earth to Kilmartin. Are you there?" Lexa's hand waving in front of his face finally caught Jesse attention, pulling him away from his self pitying thoughts.
"Well that depends on your definition of here. I think my mind started shutting down on the car ride here, with al the talk of shoes. Then after we hit the third store, brain matter started pouring out my ear. Then two stores back, I lost all feeling in my feet. And I imagine that I look pretty funny with out any shoulders too." Jesse ended his sarcastic tirade by gingerly rolling his shoulders, grimacing at the pain the movement caused in his stiff muscles. Lexa, delighted by his little speech, and the cute pouty look on his face, slipped her arm though his, and leaned her head against his shoulder. Trying in vain to control the laugher she felt bubbling up inside her, Lexa laughed little more at the almost feral growl Jesse made when her laughter escaped her.
"Shalimar would be proud." Lexa commented with a laugh, thinking of how much amusement their team mate would get at hearing her trademark noise coming from their 'calmer' friend. When Jesse just glared at her, Lexa's laughter only increased. Then reaching up she placed a little kiss on his bristled cheek. "You're kinda cute when your cranky." She teased, hoping for that familiar red blush to colour his face. Instead a little frown line appeared between his eyes, reminding Lexa of an upset little boy. Feeling a surprising need to coddle and protect him, Lexa hugged his arm closer, before she started pulling him in another direction.
"No." jesses whined, dragging his feet as Lexa started pulling him towards another store front. "not another store, I don't know if I can take it."
"Come on," Lexa persuaded, tugging Jesse closer and closer t the shop. " just this one more, then I will buy you lunch."
"Lunch?" Jesse asked his head perking up, while his shoulders straightened.
"Yeah," Lexa responded, a small warm smile flittering across her face. "AND if you really good a beer."
Jesse, much rejuvenated by the promise of a dinner and an ice cold beer, quickly lengthened his side now pulling Lexa along with him.
"So what are we shopping for this time?" He asked, his usual confidence and behaviour firmly back in place. "Shoes? A new dress? a nice pair of boots for the next time your in the barn?" the blond questioned, a teasing smirk, much like Brennen's, taking form over his lips.
Raising a brow, Lexa looked up at Jesse, her smile turning into her signature smirk. "No smartass. I was going to go try on some new bathing suits, but if you would rather I try on boots..." She trailed off, enjoying the look of giddy anticipation that had come over Jesse's face.
"Well if you must, you must." Jesse sighed, trying to give of the image of resignation, which was ruined two seconds later, by the brilliance of his smile.
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The bright red ball loomed on the very edge, refusing to drop in the corner pocket like Jesse had called. Straighten from the table, Jesse flashed Lexa a grin and stood back, giving her plenty of room to take her next shot. Normally pool was jesses game and no one beat him at it. Ever. It was a game of skill, math and finesse, three things Jesse Kilmartin had in abundance. Normally his mind mapped out ever possible shot, his eyes automatically figuring out the angle and pressure to hit it with. Sure, when he played with Shal, or other women, he let them win occasionally, but never like this. Lexa was kicking his ass!
Of course it probably had something to do with every time she bend over the table, as she was doing now, his eyes enviable roamed over her and his concentration was shot. That or when he would be taking his own shot, images of Lexa trying on bathing suits earlier danced mockingly in front of his eyes, distracting him to no end. Oh well. Losing a few games of pool, while being pleasantly assaulted by all these images wasn't such a hard thing to bear.
"It's you shot darlin'" Lexa drawled, getting a smile for her attempt at a western drawl. Not that he had stopped smiling since she had suggested one last shopping stop, Lexa mused with a smirked, as Jesse finally sunk his elusive little red ball in the corner pocket. But in all honesty, Lexa couldn't help admitting, Jesse hadn't been the only one unable to stop themselves from smiling all afternoon, since she hadn't been the only one trying bathing suites on earlier.
Groaning as once again his ball refused to go into the pocket he asked it to, Jesse stepped away from the table, just as a group of men entered the little tavern. The group of about five men looked out of place in the little family establishment. Their clothing was all dark, in drastic contrast with the colourful, plaid shirts of most the other men around the bar. But it was their faces hands that stood out to Jesse, causing his spidey senses to tingle. Every one of the men, hand pale, almost soft looking hands. And if their was something he had learned in the past couple of weeks here, everyone, from the oldest member of the family to the youngest, helped outside. Looking down at his own calloused and tanned hands, Jesse was struck by an idea.
Looking over at Lexa, he caught her eye, gesturing with a slight nod of his head, the group of men that had just arrived, he raised his hand slighting, hoping she would catch his meaning. After a moment, of her eyes shifting form him, to the men, and back to his hand, he saw a grin of understanding appear on her face. Placing her stick up against the wall, she made her way over to the bar, where the men were, putting a little extra swing in her hips.
"Two drafts please," Lexa asked the bartender, leaning up against the bar, just to the right of the men. Looking over, she smiled invitingly, before seemingly turning her attention towards the bottles displayed behind the counter. Trying not to roll her eyes as she saw the men all nudging each other and gesturing to her, Lexa patiently waited for one of the idiots to come over a hit on her. Finally, Lexa thought, as she felt a male body slid onto the stool beside her.
"Hey," The man said smiling, in what she bet he thought was a charming manner. Oh god save me from men who think they are gods gift to women, Lexa silently groaned, as she plastered a ditzy and flirtatious smile on her face, answering his 'hey,' with one of her own.
"You from around here, beautiful?" once again Lexa suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, wondering if these dorky-ass lines ever worked on women. Trying to act like a simpering, idiot women, Lexa fluttered her lashes, and in an almost singsong voce answered.
"My family is from around here." Which was the truth, if not the whole truth." But I have never seen you around before. Are you here for the big dance?" Lexa asked, letting her voice convey her excitement, as her eyes widened convincingly. "Everyone will be there." Lexa added, watching his eyes closely to see if he had understood what she had meant. After a couple seconds the light shown.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world. Where is it? And what time?"
Lexa gave him the directions, and told him the time, just as her tow ordered drafts arrived on the bar top. Reaching towards her jeans pockets to get out her money, she felt a familiar calloused hand dropped on her shoulder, stilling her movements, as he placed money on the bar.
"Hey Lexa, our next game is ready." Jesse stated plastering a friendly smile on his face, removing his hand from her shoulder and trying with all him might not to look like a jealous boyfriend. "Who's your new friend?"
"Ken Walters." The dark hair man extended his hand, a dark look in his eyes.
"Jesse.." Casting his eyes around they rested n a bottle behind the counter, "Daniels." Jesse replied, grasping the mans hand with is own, biting his check to keep from returning the access pressure. "You coming to the dance tomorrow?"
"Yeah wouldn't miss it. Have a friend up here I haven't seen in a while. Be nice to catch up. Maybe she will be there."
"Maybe." Jesse agreed, not quite able to mask the harder tone of his voice. "Well we will see you then." Waving goodbye, Jesse steered Lexa back over to the pool table, beers in her hand.
"Did you get it?" She asked, handing over his beer.
"I think I did, we'll just have to see." bringing his draft up his lips, he thumbed his comm ring. "Brennen."
"What man?" Brennen responded, his bad mood coming clearly across, in his tight response.
"Take the photo of my ring, and run it. See if you can find a match. Check through police records too, not just mutants. Said his name was Walters, Ken Walters."
"Okay, give me a second here." Back in Sanctuary Brennen pulled the photo of a dark haired guy sitting at a bar, from Jesses ring a placed it in the search photo recognition software that Jesse had pieced together a few years back. That done, he next entered the name, 'Ken Walters' in a broad search engine. While the computer searched for answers, Brennen leaned back in his seat, and hooked an ankle over his knee.
"So who is this guy?"
"Well that is what we wanted to find out Sparky." Lexa responded, her trademark smirk colouring her words.
"Funny" Brennen snapped over the rings, causing Lexa's eyebrow to arch in surprise.
"Chill Brennen." Jesse's steely voice commanded over the ring. "There was something off about this little group, and I'm willing to bet the Helix that they are with the Shadow chasers. So we made sure to invite them to the dance then if Cat id's them, we can finally make a move."
Brennen chuckled softly at the impatient edge to Jesse voice. It was easy to forget sometimes that behind that calm exterior, Jesse craved action just as much au the rest of them.
"So explain to me again, why you don't just go up to Cat, tell her who you are, and demand the Cladosporium?"
"Well that plan does have its merits Brennen…"
"Even if it has no tact." Lexa muttered
"But if we were to confront Cat I think she would just bolt. She doesn't often show it, but she is terrified of something. And I'm afraid that if I approached her, she wouldn't see me as a friend, but rather someone trying to get her. We need her, and can't afford to rush things. Well just have to bid our time till something happens, whatever that might be, and pray for the best."
"It's not a very good plan, and we are probably going to end up in a load of trouble," Lexa remarked, when Jesse was finished speaking, earning a harsh glare, from the blond man, taking a drink beside her.
"Hey! I thought you agre…" Jesse angrily interrupted, only to be quieted, when Lexa reached over and put her hand over his mouth.
"But." She glared at Jesse, expressing her dislike at the interruption, "I agree with Jesse. This just seems like the right way to handle this. So lets go with it. Well add it to my growing list of mistakes later."
"Okay, it's your guys mission. Hey! We got a match!" Brennen exclaimed. Jesse and Lexa could hear the sound of typing as Brennen brought up the newly discovered info. "Lets see, what we have here. Okay his real name is Brian Ken Walters, born 1972 Chicago, Illinois." Brennen paused to let out a whistle. " You should see this rap sheet, everything form 3 DUI's to a few Murder one charges. Nothing ever proved though. A few car jacks, break n' enters, a few assaults charges and even a few suspected sexual assaults."
"Sounds like a real swell guy." Was the sarcastic reply from Lexa.
"He seems to have dropped of the radar a few years back, when an old cell mat of his got out of jail."
"Let me guess," drawled Jesse. "Michael."
"And he wins a new car." Brennen stated, using his best 'Price is Right' impression.
"So it appears that we know when and where they are going to make their move. All that is left is to find a new cure. Nay luck with that?"
"Shal," Jesse and Lexa exchanged a look at the pain and anger, all infused into her name. "is downtown talking to the Doc's, before she goes out with Michael tonight."
"She's going out with him again tonight?" Jesse asked, concern for his big sister colouring his voice.
"Come on guys. Shal is a big girl, and more then able to look out after herself. And remember boys, this is a mission for Shal, nothing more. She is not stupid enough to fall for a mark. That's what one of you two bozos normally do."
"Hey," Came the response from insulted male voices.
"Thanks Lexa." Came the reply from the furious feral as she entered the computer lab. "Its nice to know that one of my team mates doesn't think I am a simpering idiot, or a slut."
Jesse flinched in response to the anger he heard in her voice. "Shal I only meant…"
"I know what you both meant jess. Anyway I just got back from Dr. Owens, and he thinks they have finally found a cure. They are testing it out right now. And before you ask Jesse, I don't know how he did it. Most of it went over my head. I had him email a report to your account. Oh and Michael called me to cancel our date." She glared at Brennen when she noticed him perk up. "He said some business came up, and he had to go out of state for a few days."
"Well I guess that means as soon as the cure is ready, we should head on up there."
"You got it. Oh Brennen."
"Yeah man?" came the nervous reply, as the elemental looked over and watched the retreating back of a very pissed off feral. Man it was going to be a long couple of days.
Back in the tavern, Jesse shot Lexa a look, as he backed out of her reach. "make sure you bring a good pair of boots."
As upset as he was with the situation between him and Shal, he couldn't help laughing at the yelp, fallowing that statement, as he turned off his ring, and headed to his room to pack.