Project X

All Rights Reserved

© 2015 Luna Black

~*~

"Alexa?" Xander called as he entered the house. He locked the door behind him, letting out a tired sigh and stretched his arms over his head. He frowned when she didn't answer him and he walked towards the kitchen. "Alexa?"

"Mm?" She muttered, adding the finishing touches to Corah's painting. She had been working on the painting non-stop after they ate breakfast. He had left the house around seven in the morning and it was a little past four.

It felt strange for her to be alone in the house for so long. She grew bored of the TV quickly and that day she felt inspired to finish his painting.

"Alexa?" He knocked on her door.

"In here," she called back, biting the black coloured pencil as she added a little colour to her blue eyes.

Xander pushed the door open, smiling at how concentrated she seemed. Her eyebrows were pushed together, forming a slight crease on her forehead and her lips were pouted cutely. "We have to go to your monthly check-up."

"Again?" She groaned, wiping her bangs from her forehead.

"Yes," he chuckled, leaning against the doorframe with his hands crossed over his chest, "it is called a monthly check-up for a reason; you have been here for three months."

Alexa widened her eyes, turning to look at him and said, "Dude...time went by so fast!" She shook her head, putting the coloured pencils with the rest and stepped back to admire her artwork. She hoped he liked it; she spent a lot of time and poured her soul on it. "Xander?"

"Mm?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Come here," she moved her index finger, motioning for him to move forward, "tell me if you like it. If you don't what should I-"

"It looks beautiful," he interrupted her, his eyes shining brightly at how perfect the picture was. He was amazed at how she could capture so much detail when she didn't have Corah in front of her. "I really like the shading here," he pointed to her cheekbone, "it makes it more realistic."

Alexa grinned, a slight blush growing on her face and she said, "Thanks. Are you sure you don't want me to add you to it? I mean, the original picture it was you and her..."

Xander shook his head, his eyes still glued to the picture and he murmured, "It is perfect the way it is." He turned to her and smiled, "And what was it that you called it? Artistic certificate?"

She laughed. "No, artistic licence."

"Yeah," he nodded, "when you can take or add things to the painting even if they are not there. I like it this way."

"I want to draw you," she blurted out. "Like...another painting."

His smile widened and he said, "When?"

She shrugged. "I dunno...whenever you have time."

"Well," he cleared his throat and glanced down at his watch, "we can start today when we come back from your appointment, if you would like...?"

"Really?" She grinned, nodding quickly.

Xander laughed and said, "Yes. I am going to take a quick shower. I should be out in ten and then we can leave."

Alexa nodded, grabbing her towel and made her way to the bathroom without another word. She quickly took her clothes off, tying her hair up in a tight ponytail and then tied the tail around her band to make a bun. She got in the shower, breathing out in relief as soon as the hot water splashed down on her and hummed songs under her breath.

It was probably the quickest shower she'd ever taken. After she was done she grabbed a pair of skinny jeans and a white t-shirt. She let her hair down, brushing out the knots and added a bit of lip balm. She stepped around the easel with Corah's painting and walked out to meet Xander.

"Done," she threw her hands in the air and blushed as she noticed that Xander was speaking to someone else.

He turned around, smiling at her and said, "Alexa, meet Trent," He turned to the man and she noticed that his smile turned smaller, "Trent, this is Alexa."

Trent grinned at her, his blue eyes glistening mischievously as he stared at her up and down, but Xander was too busy looking at her to notice. "You are that girl that almost committed suicide!"

"What?" Xander and Alexa asked in unison.

"Yeah," Trent continued, "you were leaning over the railing. I caught you before you could jump."

Alexa glared at him, not liking the strange vibes she was getting from him and said, "I was not trying to commit suicide." She turned to Xander, he deserved an explanation, not the man that kidnapped her. "I was drinking a couple of beers after a fight with Seth. I went outside and felt a little dizzy. Next thing I know I'm falling over the railing and this...man grabbed me."

"I seriously thought you were trying to jump," he shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest as he continued ogling her. It was making her uncomfortable; weren't the Xrions respectful of 'taken' women?! "Guess not, right?" He chuckled.

Xander rolled his eyes, walking towards Alexa and said, "Are you ready to go?"

"Mm," she nodded, still glaring at Trent. There was something strange about him. Not evil, just...weird. He made her feel unnerved. Most likely because he continued staring at her like food, but she was sure he wouldn't do anything.

One; she'd kick his balls. Two; Xander would kill him. Three; she trusted Xander would kill him.

"Trent," Xander cleared his throat, not liking the way he was focusing on Alexa's chest.

"Xander," he whistled, lowly, running his tongue over his lips, "you sure know how to choose these women."

He snarled and in the blink of an eye had Trent's collar in his hands. "Do not talk about her that way; she is not a thing. Respect her, you should know better than anyone we do not treat women like that."

"Relax," he glared at him, holding his hands up in surrender, "I was kidding!"

"I do not kid about this," He hissed, slowly releasing his collar and whispered something in their native language. It sounded like gibberish to Alexa, but Trent rolled his eyes and was gone with a flash. "I apologise," Xander whispered, a slight growl coming from his chest as he looked down at the floor, "Trent is an excellent warrior, but he is rash and does not think before he speaks."

"Hey," she walked over to him, placing her hand on his rigid back, "it's okay. He didn't do anything to hurt me."

He clenched and unclenched his fists, breathing in deeply and tried to calm himself down so his eyes would return to their normal colour. "It is not. Women are not sexual icons; I can never understand why your people focus so much on that. Yes you are beautiful, but your personality was not the best at first. You cannot focus solely on that."

"I got better," she frowned, her lips turning into an involuntary pout.

He smiled at her, slowly relaxing and said, "That you did. I am saying that you may have a beautiful appearance, but you may be the Devil's spawn. That is why I like a combination of it all; you are beautiful and your personality has grown on me."

Alexa flipped her hair behind her back and said, "My personality is amazing."

"Oh, yeah," he chuckled, taking her arm in his and said, "come on; we are already late."

She nodded and closed her eyes, waiting until he slowly released her waist and told her to open her eyes. Alexa grimaced at the familiar white room and sat down on a plush black chair. "I hate these check-ups."

He smiled, taking a seat next to hers and said, "Why? They just ask you questions."

"I don't know; it just makes me uncomfortable." She squirmed in the chair, playing with her fingers idly. "What do they care if I ate this morning? It's just dumb."

Xander chuckled, relaxing against the chair and leaned his right leg on his left knee. "They just want to make sure you are healthy. If you are not eating breakfast, it damages your body weight and energy throughout the day."

"You sound like my mother," she muttered, narrowing her eyes as she leaned her chin on her hand.

The door opened, revealing a tall man with dark hair and bright blue eyes. Of course, they all had blue eyes. He smiled at her, shaking her hand and said, "Ms. Dominick," he turned to Xander, "Xander."

"Dr. Naveer," he smiled, shaking his hand in his.

"How are you two today?"

"Good," They spoke in unison and Alexa grinned at him goofily.

"That's great," he smiled, taking out a pad and began pressing buttons on the blue screen. "So, Ms. Dominick, how are you feeling today?"

She shrugged. "Same as last month; okay."

He looked up at her through the rim of his glasses and chuckled, "Last month you were feeling – and I quote – 'irritable, annoyed, take me home, you fückers'."

Xander snorted and she blushed, biting her bottom lip. "Well...I am feeling different now. I'm okay."

Dr. Naveer chuckled again, shaking his head and said, "Have you felt different these past couple of weeks?"

"No."

"Have you been sick at all?"

"Nope."

"Xander?" He looked at him, "Is this true?"

Alexa glared at him. "I'm right here; and I'm not lying."

Xander laughed and nodded, "She is not lying, doctor."

"Good," he pressed another button on the screen and looked at both of them, "Are you sexually active yet?"

She coughed, turning redder than a tomato and squeak out, "No." Xander simply shook his head, not seeming embarrassed at all.

"Alright," he sighed, looking up, "you both know about the six months, correct? Have you made a decision?"

Xander glanced at Alexa and she looked down at her hands. "No...I...we haven't really spoken about...that."

"That is fine," he pressed another button, "what about your relationship? Is it healthy or are you guys still fighting?"

She grinned, shaking her head and said, "I'm being good! We are actually getting along. We were just at the beach two days ago."

Dr. Naveer smiled, subtly winking at Xander and said, "No wonder you have that slight twinge of red on your cheeks. You added some sunblock, correct?"

"Yup," she nodded, pursing her lips as she scratched her knee nervously. Being in the doctor's office made her uncomfortable; it reminded her of sickness and death. She wasn't a big fan of those.

"Well," he stood up, making Alexa and Xander follow the motion, "I guess that is all. If you are feeling any type of pains, no matter how small, you must notify us. We want to make sure that you are perfectly healthy for when the time comes your child will be healthy as well."

Xander nodded, placing his hand on her lower back and said, "Thank you, Dr. Naveer."

"No problem; any questions?"

"Nope," Alexa shook her head, wanting to leave. She tightened her hand around Xander's bicep and he raised his eyebrows down at her. "Can we go?" She whispered, making the doctor chuckle and wave his hand dismissively at them.

"Have a good rest of the day!"

Alexa stepped away from Xander, sitting down on the couch and said, "I hate going to the doctor's."

"I have noticed that you hate to do a lot of things."

She flashed him a grin and leaned her head against the arm rest, with her feet still on the floor. "Are you hungry?"

"No," he shook his head, "are you?"

"No, but I'm bored," she frowned, watching as he began to slide his hands around the table. Xander gave out a low chuckle, but didn't comment because he was too concentrated on the task at hand.

Alexa sighed, walking over to him and placed her hands on his tensed shoulders. "Why do you always do that?"

"Do what?" He muttered, placing a warrior into his corresponding class.

She squeezed his shoulders and whispered, "You're always so tensed; it's annoying me. It's like you're this huge rock of muscle."

Xander sat up, turning to her and said, "A huge rock of muscle?" He raised his eyebrows, the corners of his lips lifting in amusement.

"That's what I said, didn't I?" She continued to squeeze his shoulders, trying to get him to relax and said, "It's just so weird. Doesn't it hurt? Like you always look like you're going to fight someone...I don't know."

He looked down at her as she glared at his broad shoulders, making him chuckle. She was something else. "I have to be on alert."

"Alert of what?"

"It is my nature, Alexa. I am a warrior; it is in my nature to be cautious and alert of things. It is hard to be relaxed if I am not paying attention to everything."

She frowned, smacking the sides of her hand against his shoulders and said, "But we're home! Can't you relax here?"

"I do not know," he smirked, making her widen her eyes, "can I?" He'd never smirked at her before. It was a look that he could totally pull off. It made her gulp to try and moisten her suddenly dry throat.

"What do you mean?" She raised her eyebrows up at him, taking a slight step back as she dropped her hands to her sides.

Xander tilted his head slightly, his blue eyes watching her face carefully and he said, "Can I relax with you in the house?"

"Yes!" She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest as she glared at him, "What are you trying to insinuate?"

"I am kidding," he chuckled, standing up from the chair and stood before her. She looked up at him, pursing her lips in annoyance at his height and he said, "Do you still want to draw me?"

She nodded, grinning widely and said, "Yes! Come on," she grabbed her hand and yanked him towards her room. "It's a little dark now, so all I can do today is take a picture of you and get you on the best position." Her eyes widened as her mind took a wrong turn and she stuttered, "T-to paint you."

Xander nodded, waiting for her to press her hand on the scanner so the door could open and she grabbed the stool she was sitting on to paint Corah. "Where do you want me to sit?"

"Here," she gave him the stool, "sit near the window."

He did as she asked, turning to look at her as she placed Corah's painting on her bed carefully and then looked for a camera that she had ordered the day before. She loved their immediate delivery. It was like heaven for online shoppers with free delivery.

Alexa placed the camera on top of the easel and turned it on, trying to set it perfectly. Xander looked down at his hands, looking completely distracted and she took a quick snap, loving the cluelessness of the picture.

"Mm," she mused, "can you relax your shoulders a bit?"

He nodded, trying to untighten his muscles and cracked his neck.

Sh grimaced at the popping sound and shook her head. "Weirdo," she muttered, "okay, now...mm...look to the window." He abruptly turned to his right and she laughed, "Look a little to the left, Xander; your neck looks like it's going to burst."

He grinned, turning slightly to the left and she sighed. "What?"

"You're tensing again, it makes you look constipated." He snorted, "Come on, relax those shoulders."

"Fine," he muttered, taking a deep breath and closed his eyes, "better?"

"Yes," she mumbled, looking into the lenses and bit her bottom lip, deep in thought, "can you smile like that again?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"Like you were when I said your neck was going to burst," she replied, taking her sandals off and placed them next to her bed. She hated wearing her shoes in her house; it made her feel constricted. Besides, she liked the feel of the cool carpet underneath her feet.

Xander chuckled, making her smile; his grin was gorgeous. Just like everything about the damn man – Alien.

"Oh, do that again!"

"Do what?" He frowned.

"Stop doing that," she frowned too, "smile again. And look to the window...again."

He took a deep breath, shaking his head and muttered, "You are so complicated."

Alexa flashed him a grin and said, "Never said I wasn't. Ugh, Xander," she groaned, walking around the easel and grabbed his shoulders. "Stop," she squeezed them, making him laugh, "tensing," she dug her fingertips into them hard, "so much!"

Xander sighed, trying his best to relax again and said, "Now?"

"Yes," she placed her hands against his chin gingerly and tilted it to the left, "this is what I meant. Now smile," he did and she rolled her eyes at how forced it was, "don't force it." She leaned closer to him, trying to get a strand of hair to stay away from his eyes. "Ugh," she huffed, "your hair is about as complicated as you are!"

He laughed, not noticing how close they were. "You are the complicated one here. I have been moving the way you want me to; it is just not satisfying you."

Alexa rolled her eyes, placing her hands on his cheeks and he tightened his arms around her waist when she tripped over his foot. She widened her eyes, gulping at their proximity and quickly tried to untangle herself from him, but he kept her in place. She felt warm and smelled of fresh lemons; he liked it.

He had been dying to kiss her for a very long time, since the day they spent together at the beach, to be exact. "May I?" Xander whispered, cradling her cheek in his hand as his eyes flickered down to her lips.

~*~