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Chapter Four: Falls Apart
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The door creaked as he eased it open, and Jim winced. He shifted his messenger bag to his other shoulder, one arm curled protectively around his cracked and aching ribs.
"Sneaking in? That's mature of you."
Jim ground his teeth and turned to face the hulking man that was his stepfather.
"I just didn't want to wake you up." Jim lied, trying to sound respectful.
"Wake me up? It's the middle of the day." Frank walked slowly towards him, a half-empty bottle of beer in one hand. From his speech and movements, Jim knew he wasn't drunk yet.
"What are you hiding?" Frank was relentless, and grabbing Jim's chin, he forced the boy to look at him.
Jim was unable to resist, and he flinched inwardly as the full array of blood and bruises that covered his face was revealed. He was in for it now.
Frank sighed heavily, but he didn't sound sorry. "Fighting again." It was a statement loaded with condescension.
Jim locked his jaw and looked away. This stupid beast of a man could never understand him, could never fathom his psyche. He couldn't know what it was like to hear the voices, the whispers, the rumors, that followed him around school like his father's ghost. Every day. The same strong features and bright blue eyes that made Frank hate him so much did not escape the notice of the outside world. He was twelve years old, and he was already haunted by a grown man's legacy.
When Jim refused to acknowledge Frank's taunts, the older man snorted. Just a noise, but it said it all: You're a stupid kid who looks too much like his father. You're a burden to me and you always be worthless. I care about you about as much as I care about the mud on my shoes.
"Cat got your tongue, boy?" Frank gave Jim a harsh shove in the ribs.
Jim bit his lip, tasting blood as he doubled over just slightly. He couldn't help his reaction as his damaged ribs shifted and his nerves screamed for relief.
Frank leaned in close, putting one heavy hand on Jim's hunched shoulder. Jim could smell the alcohol, now.
"You think that hurts?" Frank said softly in his ear. "Wait til you see what I do to you next time you leave the garage unlocked." Frank shoved him backwards abruptly. Jim's back hit the door. "Piece of trash." Frank muttered as he stalked away, leaving Jim standing by the stairs clutching his aching ribs.
Jim glared after him, thinking that he hated him.
.
"Captain?"
Jim's eyes snapped open, and he immediately regretted it. Even the soft light from the flickering safety bulbs seemed to be driving needles straight into his skull.
It took a long time—too long—for Jim to get a good grasp on where he was and why he was lying on the cold metal grating. He almost wished he hadn't remembered.
He turned his head groggily to find the source of the voice. Spock knelt nearby, obviously wary of triggering another uncontrolled reaction from his captain.
"The hour prescribed by our captors is coming to a close." Spock intoned gently. "I thought you might wish to be awake and alert for whatever might come."
Jim nodded, working his jaw as he tried to regain muscle control. He felt so far away from everything, as though he were caught in another dream. A dream within a dream... now there was an idea.
"H'long?" He mumbled.
"Four minutes."
"Hmm." Jim tired to sit. It was harder than it should have been, but thankfully Spock did not move to assist him. Jim needed to try to salvage whatever dignity he could right now, and if that meant sitting up on his own... well then. Damned if he wasn't going to sit up on his own.
"We have had very little success in removing the debris." Spock went on, pretending not to notice how hard Jim was trying just to keep his eyes open. "We managed to dislodge a portion of the wall, but we may not be able to proceed much further if the ships exterior hull is damaged further down the corridor."
"Good work." Jim's voice was cooperating a little more now. "They'll take me first, and when they bring me back I think we'll have a little time." Spock's jaw tightened, but Jim was firm. "Don't do anything stupid. And take care of my crew." He sighed, looking down the corridor at Sulu and the clustered medics.
"Jim," Spock got his instant attention by using his first name, "I might be able to convince our captors to take me first. You are in no condition to sustain further damage—"
"Spock." Jim tired to smile. "That's real... official of you, and all, but you don't have anything to worry about. There's not a whole lot that could happen to me that hasn't happened before."
Spock cocked his head just slightly. "You have been in a hostage situation facing immediate bodily harm in the past?"
"Well." Jim coughed out a laugh. "Not quite. What I'm saying is, I'll bounce back. Whatever they can come up with, I can handle."
"Your human pride is astonishing." Spock remarked. "You cover fear and pain with arrogance. A useless tactic." Jim rolled his eyes. "Nonetheless, you are my Captain and I will follow your commands."
"That's what I wanted to hear." Jim grinned. "Just make sure nothing happens to this." He reached out and pressed the single communicator into his first officer's hand. "Those are my commands."
Spock nodded slowly, taking the communicator and sliding it into the now-empty holster on his belt. He buttoned the safety strap over it, and Jim sighed again, leaning his head back against the wall.
Footsteps sounded in the corridor outside, and Jim's shoulders tightened. Spock shifted, but Jim glared at him.
"You make sure." He reminded Spock.
Tight-lipped, Spock stood and moved reluctantly away from the door.
Metal screamed on metal, and the heavy door creaked open. Two prisoners with phasers ready stepped into the corridor, sights trained on the medics and Spock. Two more followed. Thankfully, they ignored the rest of his crew and went straight for Jim, as he'd predicted. The hauled him up between them and the gunmen followed them out.
Jim met Spock's eyes as he was pulled out. For one brief moment he wondered what his first officer was thinking—what the stiff shoulders and clenched jaw really meant. He really didn't know Spock all that well. What he saw as some slight emotion like worry might simply be concern for the crew and the mission. In the momentary glimpse, Jim suddenly realized that the other man was feeling a lot more than that.
The doors shut and locked behind them.
Jim tried to remain upright as he was pushed and prodded along, but his stomach and head were not taking kindly to becoming suddenly vertical. His stomach muscles clenched as he tried to repress his nausea, and eventually the convicts resorted to half-dragging him through the wreckage towards the bridge. He didn't fight them.
Without their scar-faced leader around the convicts seemed much less passive. One of them continuously tried to make Jim trip by pulling him over beams and wires strewn across the hallway. The convict guffawed loudly when he finally succeeded.
The others laughed along as Jim hit the ground hard. He tried to use the moment of breathlessness to regain his bearings. He couldn't believe he had been reduced to this.
"Ahmrak is going to skin you alive." One of the gunmen laughed at Jim's lack of resistance as they hauled him up by his arms. "Some great starship captain you turned out to be."
Ahmrak. Well at least now he had a name to put with the face.
Reaching the bridge seemed to take ages. Whether that had more to do with what waited for him there or what lay behind him, he couldn't have said.
Scar-face—Ahmrak—waited by the captain's chair. Jim's blood boiled a little at the thought of this man getting his hands on his ship.
Not while he had breath left in his body,
"Captain." Ahmrak smiled cordially at Jim, greeting him like a guest. "Welcome to the bridge. As you can see, we've been going through a little restructuring around here but I'm sure you can forgive the mess."
The other convicts snickered.
"What do you want?" Jim tried to sound strong. He wasn't sure if it had worked. The room was tilting around him, and in an odd way he was grateful that the arms holding him in place were also holding him up.
"Now, is that any way to address your host?" Ahmrak frowned.
Jim hated how confident this man seemed given the situation. It seemed so unnatural, as if the escapee already knew exactly how every detail would play out. Jim had walked into a trap like a rookie, yes—but that didn't mean he was going down without a fight.
"Boys, we're being rude." Ahmrak smiled. "Why don't you guide the good captain to a seat? Why not the captain's chair? It seems so fitting."
Jim was pushed forward and shoved down into the vacated captain's chair. His hands were pressed against the arm-rests and strapped down with some kind of tough plastic binding. His feet were similarly secured. His head pounded in time with his heart, dulling his fear somewhat.
Jim swallowed his nerves. He could handle this.
"Guro, please patch us through to the Enterprise." Ahmrak addressed a tattooed convict seated at the communications and control console.
Within moments, Chekov's face appeared on the screen.
"Enterprise, you have had the specified amount of time to consider our proposal." Ahmrak paced around Jim's chair as he spoke. "Before you deliver your response, I would like to remind you of the severity of your situation."
Without warning, one of the prisoners standing near Jim lashed out, catch Jim full across the face with the butt of his gun.
Jim couldn't help the soft sound of surprise and pain that tore free from his throat, but he quickly bit his lip. He glared at the offending prisoner, feeling the trickle of blood make it's way down his face from a cut on his cheek.
Chekov swallowed, eyes wide.
Stick to the book. Jim warned him mentally as he sucked on his sore lip. Don't you dare give up my ship.
"Arabeth." Chekov's voice sounded strained. "Ve vill not give in to your demands. This is a federation starship and ve are not permitted to meet the demands of our enemies."
"Well, I suppose you'll have to decide whose side you're really on real quick." Ahmrak smiled at the screen.
This time, Jim was prepared for the blow. It still hurt. He spit a mouthful of blood at the convict's feet.
"Is that your final answer?" Ahmrak sighed when Chekov refused to respond, glancing away from the screen with a grimace.
"Yes, it is."
Good man. Jim smirked.
"Very well." Ahmrak didn't sound terribly regretful. "Have a seat, my Federation friend. We're about to start the show."
"Chekov," Jim commanded, his voice slightly distorted by his sore lip, "cut the line!"
"How noble." Ahmrak remarked, cocking his head at Jim. At some point while Jim's attention had been on the screen, Ahmrak had produced a long, thin piece of metal that bore a disturbing resemblance to a blade. He toyed with it now as he looked at Jim, relishing Jim's uneasy attention. "Don't want to demoralize your crew? What, you don't think they're watching in anticipation for the blood and tears? They're humans, just like us." He knelt in close, and putting a hand on Jim's shoulder, whispered in his ear. "They want to see you suffer."
Frank leaned in close, putting one heavy hand on Jim's hunched shoulder. Jim could smell the alcohol, now.
Jim clenched his jaw and screwed his eyes shut, desperately willing his mind to separate old memories from new. Ahmrak, face too close, laughed softly at him.
"Don't lose me now, Kirk. We're just getting started. Need a little reminder of the here and now?"
Lifting his arm, Ahmrak plunged the metal shard through Jim's left hand and through the arm of the captain's chair.
Jim made no sound, but his teeth bit through his lip again and he tasted the blood pooling in his mouth. On screen, Chekov made a sound of distress that only strengthened Jim's resolve not to cry out.
Breathe. He reminded himself as flashes of white danced across his vision.
"Captain Kirk? Are you still with me?" Ahmrak taunted, tapping the side of Jim's face.
Jim breathed out heavily through his nose, willing himself to stay steady and calm. He looked down at his hand, trying to detach. The white-hot pain radiating out from his nerve endings made this difficult. As did the sight of a six inch metal stake protruding from his hand.
"Chekov." Jim breathed out shakily. "This is an order from your commanding officer. Turn off the screen."
Please don't watch this.
There was a long pause during which Jim refused to meet his navigation officer's tortured eyes, and then the screen went blank.
Ahmrak sighed. "Did you really think you'd catch a break by depriving me of my audience, Captain Kirk?" He laid a heavy hand on Jim's shoulder once again.
If Jim hadn't been tied hand and foot, he would have snapped his arm at the wrist for the contact.
Ahmrak wrapped his fingers around the metal shard, sending jolts of white-hot agony up Jim's arm. "Captain," the convict smiled cruelly, "I'm just getting started."
Jim took a breath, and waited for the pain.
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GASP. An update? In three days?
Yes.
Consider this my "I'm sorry" chapter. :)
Just remember: YOU make my day, every single time you review! You have no idea how big I smile and how many times I reread my alerts every single time I hear from you. You inspire me. :)
And so, to further apologize for my inconsistencies, etc, I am going to personally respond to reviewers this time.
By the way, only one person (my new buddy Aiso-san) introduced themselves! What's up with that? :)
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Frozenlaughter: Thank you soooo much. I love Jim angst in all of the above categories as well, hahaha. It's so encouraging to hear feedback like that, especially about specific parts of the story. I hope you will keep reviewing, it makes my day! Hope this gives you a temporary fix. :)
Dustykingdom: Gah, I'm flattered. :) Thank you so much for your encouragement, and I hope I continue to live up to your expectations!
Cinekimi: Thanks so much, I'm so glad you're enjoying the story so far!
LyradanaGreetsTheWind: I freakin' love getting your reviews! You always have so much to say, it makes me so happy. :) Thank you so much for reviewing faithfully, and I promise I'll try not to torture you for too long anymore! I can usually get a little writing done at work when it's slow, thus the quick new chapter. Keep your fingers crossed for more paid downtime, haha. ;)
Sei Hishida: Thank you! Hope you keep reading and reviewing, and of course enjoying the story. :)
Aiso-san: Thanks so much for your constant reviews, and for introducing yourself! I love Washington, but I've only ever been to Seattle. Such a gorgeous state, you're lucky to live there. I hope you find time to write something! Don't let real life keep you from doing what you really want to do: one day you'll realize you lived twenty years that way. :( I know from experience, haha. If you ever get around to posting something, I'll definitely come review. :)
ShamelessSpocker: (I love your name!) Thankyouthankyouthankyou for your wonderful reviews and encouragement!
GingeRed: This quick update is my thank-you-for-reviewing gift. I hope it's up to par! Jim's nightmares and childhood will all be explained in time as well: have to draw out the angst a little, you know. There's a lot more in store for Jim and the crew. Things are just getting started. :) Thank you sooo much for reviewing! I hope to hear more from you!
Spinalcracker: Haha, thank you so much! I know, I'm a sucker for concerned-Bones-conversations, as you can probably tell. Gotta love those two. I'm so flattered that you like my story so much, you made my day!
AquaMage: Nope, you're not getting rid of me that easily! Haha, thanks so much for your feedback!
Super Ultra Sexy Spockfish (your username is amazing, just so you know): Your reviews always make me smile. :) I hope this quick update makes up for all the agonizingly slow ones.
irezel: I know right? Silly Jim, he's just too stubborn for his own good. :) thanks so much for your support!
Tony WildRiver: Thank you! I had fun writing it. I love Jim and Bones friendship, they make me smile. :)
Lori Jean: Thank you so much! I know, there is way too much sex/slash/het going on on right now... it's kind of hard to sort through for the decent stories. Doesn't stop me from trying, though! :) Thank you for your feedback and support, I hope you will continue reading!
Krishnaa: My favorite genre as well! I'm glad I could give you another fic to satisfy your Spock/Kirk craving. ;) Don't worry, no slash, gore or melodrama for me! Well, not too much gore anyway. :) No more than there was in this chapter anyway. I hope you keep reading and reviewing!
TipsyTippyToes: And you made my day! Your reviews make me smile so much, I love reading them. :) I hope you'll keep reading and letting me know what you think!
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I have one more question for all of you! What kind of music (artists, songs, genres, etc) do you see for this story? My playlists play a big part in my writing, and I'm still developing one for this story. I'd love to hear your suggestions.
Take care, and do review! :)