Wow, I can't believe that it has been a year since I last updated. I'm sorry everyone, but as we all know life can really suck sometimes. But I promised I would finish this and I have every intention of doing so. The next few chapter are already written. Hope you enjoy this and please leave a review to let me know people are still reading this. Thanks for those who stuck with me. Now, please, enjoy chapter 14.
888
"Bio-suits?"
"Check" came the male reply as, he rifled through the packed bags, double checking their content.
"Jesse's med bag?"
"Check."
"Tracking equipment."
"Yup, it's here too."
"Well I guess we have everything, go load up the helix, and I will call Dr. Owen and tell him that we are on the way to pick up the serum. He also was going to write out some more instructions for Jesse."
"I thought you had already e-mailed him stuff?"
"I did, but," Shalimar stopped to shrug her delicate shoulders, " I guess there was more to tell him, or something else came up. I don't really know Brennen, Dr. Owen just has more information for Jesse." The last part, Shalimar couldn't help but let some of her anger and resentment at Brennen seep out. The way he had been treating her about Michael…
Turing quickly on her heel, Shalimar exited the room, heading down the corridor to her room, a small feral growl escaping. She still couldn't believe that Brennen thought her capable of that, falling for a terrorist. A mass murderer. A mutant hater. And a man who wanted to harm her family. That was what hurt the most, Shal reflected to herself. That Brennen thought she could develop feelings for someone threatening her family. Did he not know her at all?
Marching into her room to pack the rest of her stuff, Shal really wished she had a door she could slam.
8 8 8
"All done?" questioned Lexa, as Jesse stepped out onto the porch, wiping the remaining dampness onto his jeans.
"Yup, the kitchen is all clean. Gesh you women use a lot a pots and pans when you cook." Grumbled Jake, as he stepped around Jess, taking his seat beside Anna on the swing.
"Well that is what happens when you actually cook, and not just throw some meat on the grill."
"Or order some form of take out." Lexa piped in, as Jesse settled himself by her feet, leaning back against her chair.
"Well I didn't hear you complain yesterday, when I ordered Chinese." Commented Jesse, as he tilted his head back all the way to look at her. Lexa responded by nudging him with her knee and sticking her tongue out at him.
"Now children behave. I would hate to have to ground you and keep you from the dance tomorrow night."
"Sorry Anna" Jesse and Lexa responded in unison, with mock tones of guilt coloring their voices, causing the smiles on Anna and Jake's face to widen further.
"Hey speaking of the dance, Jesse and I have a couple of friends who are going to be flying in tomorrow for it. Is it okay for them to stay here?"
"Of course honey. You know this is your home too. So any friends you want to have over are more then welcome."
"You say that now but wait till you meet Brennen." Lexa joked, trying to hide the tears in her eyes. "He eats like a horse."
"Well it's a good thing we're at a ranch isn't it?" Joked Jake, already looking forward to meeting more of Lexa's friends. She had always seemed to have such a lonely life, void of any friends or real relationships. And now here she was with Jesse, talking about other friends in a way he had only previously seen her act towards family.
"Well it's a good thing I told him to bring a pair of boots." Jesse cheekily commented, earning him a slap on the back of the head from Lexa.
For the next half an hour, the four of them sat outside, enjoying the clear night, and friendly discussion. The topic of the dance was thoroughly discussed, including favorite dances gone by. Anna's favorite tale was of Lexa and Leo sneaking down when they were eight to watch. The excitement had soon proved too much for the young duo, and they had fallen asleep in the hay loft over night. The next morning, the whole ranch was franticly searching for them, when they stumbled, tried and blurred eyed, pieces of hair sticking out of hair and clothing, into the kitchen. Anna had held both twins to her bosom, switching between crying and scolding them, until their cries for air finally registered and she loosened her hold on them.
"Well it's about time for this old man to get to bed." Announced Jake as he got to his feet, a wide smile still present on his face. Extending a hand down to Anna, he offered her assistance for her "old bones' as well.
"Jake Chadwick, you get out of here before these old bones show you what they still can do" Anna playfully threatened, swatting away the offered hand and rising to her feet, trying valiantly to keep a scowl on her face.
"Promises, promises." Came his reply accompanied by the slightly wicked waggling of his eyebrows. Anna's responsive blush, amusing Lexa and Jesse greatly, who were still laughing at the previously told stories.
"Goodnight you two. And remember to behave. There's a big dance here tomorrow night and no need for you to wear your selves out tonight." Jesse commented as Jake and Anna walked past him and Lexa on their way into the house.
"Goodnight you two." was Anna's hurried response, her blush still flaming across her checks as she pulled Jake in after her, cutting off any possible response to Jesse's comment.
Settling back more fully against Lexa's chair, Jesse let his head fall back slightly, leaning it against Lexa's thighs as he gazed out over the night sky. With out even realizing it, Lexa reached out running her fingers in jesses hair, as she to settled into her seat, looking at the stars as well. Both of them sat like that for a while, causally looking in to the night sky, enjoying the slight breeze, each others company and the casual, yet familiar physical contact that is normally reserved for only lovers.
Nearly ten minutes passed in this manor until, Jesse heaved a sigh, and rolled his head back to look at Lexa, her fingers still entangled in his hair.
"We should check in with Shal and Brennen to see if they got the final cure yet."
"Yeah. And to see if Brennen is still breathing. And that all his essential body parts are intact." An evil, and purely female smirk grazing the beautiful brunets lips as she envisioned the strain that Brennen must be under at the moment.
Shivering, and shaking his head slightly, so as to not dislodge her fingers, a grimace appeared on his handsome face as he contemplated his teammates current situation. Oh well better him then me, Jesse thought with a sigh as he relaxed back into Lexa's comforting fingers. Raising his ring up to his mouth Jesse called both their names.
Back in sanctuary, Shalimar threw another shirt into the bag on her bed before responding to the page with a rather bad tempered, "What!"
Simultaneously all three other members of mutant X grimaced at the particularly violent sound of cloth hitting nylon. Were clothes suppose to make such loud 'thunks?'
"How are things progressing with you guys? Did you pick up the cure yet?" Jesse bravely asked, missing Lexa's fingers in his hair, which had reflexively stopped at the violent response from Shal.
'We're on our way to pick it up.' Came the slightly calmer Shalimar, "and then we'll be heading over. We should be there about noon your time tomorrow."
"So did you get a chance to talk to Cat yet?" Came Brennen's first verbal contribution to the conversation.
Jesse let out an audible sigh, as Lexa felt him tensing up. All the relaxation from minutes ago evaporating as if they had never happened. "No, I tried before supper but she was too busy with the horses and dance preparation with the rest of the hands. I'll try again tomorrow"
"You sure Brother? Shouldn't you try and talk to her sooner, before Michael gets there?" Drawled Brennen, the rest of the team noticing the verbal sneer when he mentioned Michael's name.
" I already told you Brennen.." Came the annoyed response from Jesse. Anger and Frustration bleeding into his words.
In a surprisingly soft and gentle voice, especially considering her early mood, Shalimar cut him off. "Jesse. This isn't like the last time."
Lexa and Brennen both listened intently, not knowing what Shalimar was talking about, but recognizing from her voice, that it was something really important. What else could have turned the severely pissed off feral, into such a comforting, and loving person so quickly.
"Yeah I know Shal, but…" Jesse tried to interrupt, the earlier anger leaving as quickly as it came, leaving a tired sounding man in its place.
"Your not who you were then." Shalimar continued, not even pausing for Jesses half hearted interruption. Not even bothering to interrupt again, the blond molecular, simply rolled his head away from Lexa, and wearily rose to his feet, walking over to the railing, leaning his head against the post, as he looked up at the stars.
"Cat is not Corina, Jess." At that impossible gentle statement, Jesse closed his eyes, jaw tightening at the reminder of the women that had been haunting him for years. Who presence on his conscience this mission a constant reminder of what he had lost.
A heavy silence dropped down on the four surviving members of Mutant X, with the whispered words of Shalimar. The others easily picking up on the grief, and regret emitting off Jesse, who although he had opened his eyes, continued to look blindly out over the night sky.
Lexa, gazing at Jesse with eyes filled with concern, lifted her ring up to her lips, and quietly broke the oppressive silence. "Guys, let us know when you are on your way here, with whatever else Dr. Owen has to give you. All the information on how to get here, and were to land is already programmed in the helix under flight plan, 'Chadwick'. There is a truck waiting for you, keys in the muffler, and a map from there to here. We'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay Lexa. We'll see you later. Take care." And take care of Jesse Shalimar added, communicating with out words in the way that only sisters and close girlfriends are able to.
"Will do. Be safe." thumbing off her comm ring, Lexa leaned her head back against her seat, eyes still glued to Jesse. Her mind was racing with the implications of Shalimar's words, and Jesse almost instant withdrawal into himself. Was this why Jesse was so hesitant to go after Cat? Why it was so un organized and structured? So very un-Jesse like? And what happened with her? Or, judging by Jesses forlorn expression, what happened to her? And thought all of these thoughts was a constant concern for Jesse. And, Lexa admitted being honest with herself, a deep sense of jealously at the feelings Jesse obviously held for this Corina women.
Not quite sure how to handle this, Lexa stood up and walked over to Jesse. After a brief moment of hesitation, Lexa gave into her own need, and slipped an arm around Jesse's waist, offering him comfort, as she took some for herself as well. With out saying a word, Jesse turned slightly towards her, pulling her closer to him with the arm he slipped around her shoulder. Leaning his head against hers, they stood there for a few moments, each taking comfort in the others presence.
Clearing his throat, Jesse lifted his head, and looked down at the beautiful women at this side. Giving her a little smile, and a final squeeze with the arm still fastened around her, he dropped his arm and took a step away from the rail and towards the steps.
The confusion in Lexa's eyes quickly disappeared, as Jesse held a hand out to her. "lets go for a walk." His blue eyes flashed with pain. "And I'll explain to you about Corina."