Disclaimer: The Tomorrow People is the property of the CW. No copyright infringement is intended.

~ X ~

John led the others in a headlong flight down the stairs, tumbling down so fast they were constantly on the verge of falling. As John's legs pumped in short high strokes, a refrain pounded in rhythm in his brain. Almost there! Almost there!

"John!" That voice rang out. The voice he could pick out in a crowd of a hundred. Multiple people reacted simultaneously to it. The Ultra agents chasing them down the staircase came to a dead stop, waiting to see what their boss would do.

John Young, conditioned by years of obeying, automatically responded to his name. He was pissed. Six years I've avoided this psychotic son of a bitch and now? Just my luck. But what was I thinking or better yet, not thinking? Of course, he'd be here. The man practically lives here.

He stopped and then unenthusiastically turned and stepped forward with a slight roll of his eyes and an exasperated grimace. That along with the impatient hitch of his shoulders made him appear like a reluctant schoolboy expecting to be chastised.

It came as no surprise that the Ultra leader had a gun trained on him. He veered away from the others hoping to draw Jedikiah's attention and shield the rest of the group. He was mildly annoyed when the other three moved with him, but then acknowledged to himself what did he expect? They would never leave him to face Jedikiah alone.

John made a face. Great. He's in his glory now. He must be beyond ecstatic that I practically handed myself over to him.

He stood facing his former boss as he was reprimanded. "So, you decided to come home. Did you think he was going to help you find your Promised Land?"

How dare he call this psycho place my home?

Jedikiah's stern face was unrelenting, his voice mildly gloating. "It doesn't exist and even if it did, you sure as hell are never gonna see it!"

Jedikiah fired.

John heard Stephen's protest. "No!"

He watched in disbelief as timed slowed, but he managed to keep his wits about him. "Stephen, how are you doing that?"

Stephen, teeth gritted, the strain showing on his face said, "I don't know."

John no longer cared how. He just wanted to get away from this place of horrors. "Get us out of here. Now!"

As Stephen grabbed his arm, John's eyes automatically watched the trajectory of the bullet. A detached part of his mind realized that his former boss's aim was off. It would have grazed the side of his head, certainly disabling, but not a kill shot. The old man's losing his touch. John's first thought was followed by a second. Naw, he probably wanted to keep me alive to torture the location of the lair outta me.

As Stephen whisked them away, he breathed a sigh of relief. Not this time Jed. Not this time.

~ FIN ~