Massive thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this story! You all make my day! I apologise for the extremely long wait, I haven't abandoned this story. Life has just been extremely hectic between my exams and health issues. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can get back to a regular schedule as I've been out of the loop for a while. Any mistakes are mine. Don't hesitate to leave comments or suggestions.
Disclaimer: I still own nothing.
Warnings: Mild violence towards end.
Chapter 8: Go forth
Location: San Francisco Police Department
Date: Sunday 14th October 2255
Detective Graham Moor was pissed. It was early morning – 1:02 is you wanted to be precise – his shift had ended hours ago and he was still here. That nagging voice came back in his head again this is what you get Gray, shoulda quit long time ago. He mulled over the evidence again and rubbed his face warily, it was just his luck to receive this case, one where Star Fleet was crawling all over it. Of course he knew the Cap had it out for him the very day that he started on the force – 15 years ago. Graham entered the interview room where that young man was sitting like he was right at home. He knew right then and there that he was a regular. The man's face met his and his eyes lit up, ready for any questions that Graham had to ask this time. He entered slowly and he sat opposite the blonde haired man – a one Cadet James Kirk.
"Right Mr Kirk, let's go over this again," Graham said trying to keep the sigh from escaping "What were you doing outside Commander Denner's Apartments?"
"It's like I told you before detective. I was with my friend Skye who got news that a close friend had passed away in an accident, you can check it with the sister if you like-"
"Yes, thank you, please carry on," Graham stated, indicating with his hand.
"She was distraught so we went for a walk to clear her head, she suffers from nightmares, oh, and you check that with her doctor-"
"I am aware of how to do my job Mr Kirk, now please-"
"We were walking round aimlessly, when we saw a strange man and he was at the door of the apartments," James replied looking at Graham with feigned innocence.
Graham had the urge to roll his eyes but he kept a straight face "This man, can you describe him to us again?"
"He was wearing some long robe and he was wearing a mask," Jim concluded "Skye recognised him as the man who had attacked her before, so we followed him."
"Why would you follow him if you knew he posed a threat, he attacked Miss Collins," asked Graham.
"He attacked her we had to stop him," James replied with yet more feigned innocence.
"What did you do next?"
"We followed him and he broke into the apartment and he was raking through papers, we tried to stop him but he ran and we chased him. We were stopped before we could catch him and that is why I am sitting here with you, having this pleasant conversation," James replied.
Graham looked at the man straight in the eye, the amount of cockiness in him was unbelievable. Sure everything, he had just said was exactly the same as Miss Collins and no matter how many times he asked them the same questions differently, they maintained the same story. They checked out the masked man attack and they called the sister. Everything added up which for some strange reason that pissed him off even more. Glancing at the time he realised that there was nothing more to be done, they had checked the PADDs and there had been nothing untoward on them. He shot the kid a pointed look before exciting the interrogation room.
"Anything boss?" asked Donald, the keenest officer in the department.
Not for long. Graham thought bitterly before realising that he was long overdue his next brandy. He shook his head placing the information back on the desk and sat down with a defeating internal sigh.
"Oh and Sir-"
"Yeah?" Graham replied turning to face his junior officer who looked slightly worried.
God help me "What is it?"
"It's- I'ts Star Fleet sir," Donald said in a whisper as if he had uttered the curse word.
God help me indeed.
Skye had been sitting in the interrogation room what had felt like hours. The nerves hadn't quelled since she had arrived. Even though if through their bond they had managed to weave a story which, even if slightly suspicious, there was nothing that the police could do to pin whatever they suspected them of on them. The door slid open again and the same detective that had seen her before entered. He wore an expression of deep irritation, she perked up slightly and the detective looked at her carefully before standing to one side.
"You're free to go, you can get your stuff on the way out," he said "Starfleet officials are waiting to take you back," he explained.
Skye's shoulders sagged slightly, she had a sense that they were in big trouble and she was internally hoping that there someone what bizarre excuse was enough for them as well. Skye followed the detective and collected her belongings, her PADD with the crucial bits of information, which she held on to with a slightly firmer grip as if any second they would call her back and take it from her. The walk towards the vehicle was a short one, the detective studied her with dark eyes before he turned to walk back into the station but he turned back briefly to look at Skye again.
"Good luck kid, you're going to need it," he said with no trace of humour in his eye.
Skye allowed herself to momentarily let his colours mildly appear in her spectrum of colour and she felt his worn down aura coated with a soft hint of warning. Griping her PADD tighter she turned toward Jim and Leonard who was standing further away from him with a frim expression on his face, clearly having been a little shaken up by the experience. Skye felt guilt flood through her, her eyes firmly planted on him. She could feel his anger coming off in waves and when he did finally look at her it felt like she was hit by a fast moving object. Shocked she realised that that jolt had come from Leonard and it was directed at her, his eyes looked darker than usual, clouded by a red anger mixed with other emotions that she couldn't shut out. Skye felt nervous, why couldn't she shut it out, it was pushing through her shields in over bearing amounts, strong painful waves. She wavered slightly but managed to push everything out with a mental shove and regain the strength in her shields. She moved towards the hover car as they shuffled inside in silence. The air in the car was painfully silent and Jim for once remained quiet, choosing instead to look out of the window. For some strange reason Skye was focused on Leonard and his refusal to look at her made her feel…odd, she was tempted to let the colours that had invaded her before to return - a temptation that was alien to her. She shook her head remembering the dangers that accompanied such emotion and she let her gaze fall back onto the passing pedestrians and buildings.
When they finally pulled up to the familiar surroundings of the academy Leonard did finally look at her and it made her wince internally, he was more than pissed but for some reason she knew that it wasn't all because of what happened tonight, something else had added to the building anger. She tried to open her mouth to say something but they were interrupted by Pike, his own expression one of fatigue and anger.
"Thank you, Cadets follow me," he instructed, indicating to them with the motion of one finger.
We're in deep shit.
Skye said nothing but shot Jim a pointed look but appreciated the lightness of his tone despite everything. Thy followed Pike into his office, watching him as he sat down with a thud whilst he kept quiet for a few minutes, looking at each of the Cadets in his office, deciding what words he should use.
"Sir-" Leonard began.
"He didn't -"
"I don't want to hear excuses Cadets," Pike said sternly "What were you thinking?" he asked, letting the question hang in the air "I am in a meeting and then I get a call about three cadets who were caught in Denner's apartment," he said sternly.
Jim made a sound that sounded like a muffled laugh and Pike's eyes turned sharply over to him.
"You think this is funny son? I had to pull a lot of strings to make sure that you got out, there are a few officials there who really want to see you investigated but as the police assured, the story fits, they found nothing," Pike said, his eyes betraying something more than anger, something which they had become accustomed to – disappointment
"You can go Leonard, if I see you in here again," he warned not having to finish his point.
"Yes sir," Leonard replied.
"As for you two, I am disappointed, this isn't a game, this could have been serious. There is a chance here for you to do some damn good change. I hope that I wasn't wrong."
"You're not," Jim replied defensively.
"You still have to prove that to me. Skye," Pike said addressing Skye now.
"Sir."
"I am sorry about what happened, to Joseph but you can't. I saw the same thing in your father, that's a dangerous habit," he warned.
"I am not my father," Skye said, her voice stony.
"I know, you father wouldn't have been so stupid!" Pike said, letting the words tumble out before he could stop them.
"With all due respect sir, I am not hear to be judged by you, not again. I am not my father and I never will be," Skye said angrily.
"I don't want to see you in here again, is that clear?" Pike said, trying to recover from his earlier outburst "You're dismissed."
"Yes sir," they chorused.
Pike watched them leave, feeling shameful that he had snapped like that. He briefly glanced at a holopic he had on his desk, of him and Oliver when they still had their lives and career ahead of her. He remembered the words that her father had echoed that night make sure she's safe Chris, you're the only one that I trust, the only one left. Pike made a silent prayer that she would stop and she was silently accept that there was no conspiracy, nothing more which needed to be investigated. He couldn't lose them.
Skye felt anger bubble away once she left Pike's office, Jim was waiting for her and his PADD in hand and he had that familiar smile on his face. She felt determination rise again and she acknowledged him by sending him waves of gratitude. Whatever he had done, he had made sure that those documents were hidden. She turned her focus to Leonard's silhouette which was gradually growing smaller as he walked quickly away from them. She looked at Jim and he nodded before she walked to catch up with him.
"Leonard-"
"Don't, I don't want to hear it!" he said looking at her but his tone didn't bare the anger he had.
"I am sorry, I didn't mean for you to get in trouble," Skye said coming in front of him.
"God you two radiate trouble, it surrounds you like a plague," he said beginning a rant "What the hell where you two doing, breaking into a commander apartment for a research project?"
"Don't worry, I'll speak to Pike," Skye said trying to reassure him.
"Oh no, don't say anything to him. It'll only make matters worse. Damn it! I came here to avoid trouble - not to get into more of it, already had enough of that back- oh never mind," he said "And a research project, good god woman!"
"It wasn't for a research project, Jim made that up, it was that masked man, we decided to follow him but-"
"Wait, you're telling me that you decided to follow the man who attacked you? The one who injected poison into your system, are you that stupid?" he asked, his tone now betraying the anger he held.
If only you knew. "It wasn't like that-"
"What is it like then? Do you two actively seek out dangerous situations? To what?" he carried on.
"He couldn't get away with it," she said back without thinking, anger starting to surface, biting back at his accusations.
"That's not your damn job, you're a doctor not a damn crime fighting ninja!" he said, colour rinsing to his face.
Skye could feel both of them getting heated, past anger and present mixing together and she had no wish to make Leonard even angrier. "I think you need to calm down, you going to give yourself an aneurism," she said with a small smile.
"Good lord I am a doctor not a babysitter," he mumbled, letting himself catch his breath back.
"No one asked you to babysit, I survived long enough without you as my guardian angel," she laughed lightly.
"I don't know how you manged, maybe it's about time someone started babysitting you, after all your tied up looking up after that kid 24/7" he said, Skye glad she could feel some of his anger subsiding.
They started at each other for a few more seconds, letting a peaceful silence slip in, Leonard rubbing his face, almost in disbelief at the trouble that Jim and Skye attracted. She could tell that he was slightly still annoyed, having minded his own business but yet still being dragged into this mess. Skye shied relieved that they had made it out in one piece but sure that it hadn't gone unnoticed from those who were watching her. The familiar resentment for the organisation she was now training to be a part of resurfaced and she hugged the PADD tighter to her chest. She looked up and saw that Leonard's brown eyes were watching her, as if studying her, discerning what was really going on in her mind but before she could say something the sound of a communicator interrupted. Releasing that it wasn't hers Skye turned to see Leonard fish his from his uniform pocket, annoyance once again gracing his features. He studied the screen for a second before an unmistakeable expression of bitter anger flashed across his face. This time Skye could feel it, hitting her like with a sharp punch. Another emotion accompanied, sadness, the deepest kind, mixed with regret that ached so very much she almost felt as if tears were going to flow from his eyes. He snapped the communicator closed dismissing the call and he closed his eyes before they fell upon her again.
"It's been a damn long night," he muttered "I'll see you tomorrow, and for heaven sake please stay out of trouble," Leonard whispered.
"I can't promise that because I know I couldn't keep it," Skye said void of any previous lightness in her tone.
"Well at least one person can be honest," Leonard said before he walked away into the corridor leaving Skye wondering, yet again, what caused his pain.
The room was dark, so dark, that Agent Jackson couldn't see what was before him. He found himself reflecting back on the night's event and how close they had been on claiming her, finally getting back what they needed. Jackson heard the swoosh of the door opening and he turned to meet the steely gaze of the director, who didn't look pleased, which made Jackson's skin crawl.
"You wanted to see me Agent," his tone was deadly serious and his gaze formidable.
"Sir, I wanted to discuss, the events of today," Jackson found himself replying.
"By discuss, Agent Jackson, I take it you mean, to question. Question my motives and my actions. Doesn't anyone here ever just do what they are told?" the director muttered, looking at Jackson like he was a naughty child.
"Sir, I-" Jackson began but he paused, feeling an frustration rise from within him, that had been building up and without thinking he let the words flow "I don't understand, we had her sir, we had her and you let her go. The police have gotten involved-"
"Agent, may I remind you that I am not as incompetent as you and many others seem to appear to believe. There are reasons for every decision that I make, for instance, her Grandfather is head of Star Fleet Operations, her mother is a member of royalty, need I go on Agent?" he paused.
Agent Jackson felt red rise to his face, he hated that tone, condescending and cool. He faced the director looking at him in the eye and he shook his head.
"I am sorry Agent I don't believe that I heard you," the Director stated firmly.
"No Sir," Jackson bit back, guarding his tone. You're no good to them dead, he reminded himself.
"There are other ways of getting what we want," the Director smiled.
Starfleet Academy, teacher's accommodation bloc
Dr Puri was sitting at his desk, swishing his brandy in his glass before taking a large gulp.
"That's the stuff," he murmured to himself, sitting further back, pushing away his papers.
He looked at his bed and shook his head, he should have been in bed long ago but he was too far too busy replaying the events in his mind. He was elated that she had finally accepted his offer, his mood had improved since this morning. His horrible shift at the hospital had been erased and in its place he had been left content and in need of a good brandy to celebrate. He was in the middle of taking another sip, a smile spreading across his lips when a loud buzz filled the room, surprising him, causing him to spill some of his brandy.
"Shit," he cursed wiping his uniform quickly before straightening himself up.
Dr Puri opened the door, hoping that it wouldn't be anyone higher than his ranking, as he was conscious that his appearance wouldn't do him any favours. On the way to the door he straightened up his uniform and his hair and cleared his throat. When the door swished open he was greeted by Logan, not an admiral, thank god he thought, but frowned when he glanced at the time. Had he really just spend three hours grinning to himself drinking brandy? He shook the thoughts from his mind and focused on the ensign who was standing eagerly at the door. Where do they find these kids? Amused he greeted Logan with a smile and let him through the door.
"What can I do for you Logan?" asked Dr Puri attempting to replace his current state with his every day serious Doctor persona.
Logan looked unfazed by the Dr's otherwise ragged appearance and with a jovial smile stood upright as if to await orders. Dr Puri smiled, thinking back to when he stood with a straight back, eager to receive instruction now he just slouched and gave the orders.
"Dr Puri, Admiral Grant asked me to deliver this to you as soon as possible," Logan said handing out the PADD.
Dr Puri frowned and glanced down at the PADD, it contained on it reams of documentation and files. After glancing through a few Dr Puri raised his brow.
"What is this?" he asked.
"It's the new syllabus for this term Sir, the Admiral wanted you to have it first thing," Logan confirmed,
"Change the syllabus? But we're already quarter way though the course…" he trailed off.
"He wants you to introduce this as soon as possible," Logan informed him.
Dr Puri sighed lightly, he looked over the material quickly and saw it was a project that was to be carried over the next few weeks. Puzzled, he read further and paused over the last section. In the light of recent events it has become drawn to our attention that the academy need to better prepare our medical students to be demonstrate their ability to work in a lab environment under pressure and display key skills in creating vaccinations for diseases that they may not have encountered. Thus, we have implemented these small changes in the course and you will prepare them for simulations for end of term examinations.
"Thank you Logan," Dr Puri said.
"You're welcome Sir," Logan said in a loud voice making Dr Puri wince at the optimism coming off the young man in waves.
"Logan," DR Puri called back.
"Yes Sir?" asked Logan, displaying signs of worry in his eye as he looked at Dr Puri.
"Relax," Dr Puri said smiling.
"Yes Sir," Logan replied with a small smile, allowing his shoulders to hunch ever so slightly before he left Dr Puri alone.
The Doctor examined his desk and looked briefly at the glass in his hand before taking a long sip.
"The master has spoken," he said to himself in amusement before he sat down at his desk and came up with a new lesson plan.
Monday 15th October 2255
The clouds hung over the attendants, reflecting the mood that radiated from each person that stood huddled together underneath warm clothes. The cold was relentless and even though it didn't bother Skye she could still feel the cold inside, the one that griped her heart with an icy grip. She stood further away from the group just able to pick up words from the priest who was conducting the service. Jim was standing by her side and the two were watching with straight faces as the people slowly dispersed once it was over. I would hate to have a funeral. If I die, you have to promise me that everyone will wear yellow and play Yellow Submarine. Skye noticed Joe's sister, her hair neatly pulled back into a bun with a black bow and she was wearing that dress she had once worn to a staff party at the hospital where Joe had spilled Sun Rise all over his latest crush. Her eyes were vacant as if she was watching her light being smothered. Skye and Jim looked at each other and they turned to walk away slowly before anyone would notice them. Just like always they disappeared, the two of them content with letting their familial bond shields collapse to allow everything to come crashing down like a tidal wave. Trust which was only reserved for the other and Skye was content letting it stay that way.
When they arrived back into Skye's dorm room, Jim sat on the edge of the bed, stretching before looking at Skye and smiling softly. He patted the space next to him and Skye broke her grim expression, exchanging it for a smile, a small one but the expression on Jim's face told her that he saw that as a victory.
"Come on, you know you want to," Jim teased.
"I hate you," Skye said.
"No you don't, you love me really," Jim replied.
She sat down next to him and Jim wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, letting their heads rest against each other.
"So what do we have?" Jim asked.
"A bunch of files about Med Base VIII and some other stuff- oh and there's this!" Skye said remembering, getting up to find that paper she had hidden when they had been discovered.
Jim waited until Skye returned with paper in hand, he took it and smoothed out the corners and glanced over its content quickly.
"What the hell?" Jim mumbled.
"Exactly my reaction, what dialogue is that?" Skye wondered.
"There's one person we could ask," Jim said.
"Who?" asked Skye.
"Your delightful roommate," Jim replied with a smirk.
"Oh no. Hell no," Skye said shaking her head.
"Come on, she probably knows or at least can point us in the right direction," Jim pushed.
"Mmm, okay," Skye said and Jim made a quiet 'yes' sound in response.
"No," Skye replied.
"What?" Jim asked.
"Did you forget that I can ready your mind and what a dirty mind it is," Skye said taking the paper from Jim.
"Come on! That's cheating!" Jim whined.
And by the way that's so gross.
No its not, it's actually-
Oh god that is so gross, stop thinking that!
Both of them were laughing now, warmth spreading through the bond, a slight vibration, tingling over her mind and the colour of gold surrounding Jim banishing the darker blue that had been in its place.
Thank god for shields.
I would be inclined to disagree, think about what you could do when-
JAMES!
Okay okay I'll stop, only rights after,
GOD!
A clattering sound came from the other side of the room and Skye turned to see Nyota standing there touching her temples. Skye realised quickly that she had just projected outwards slightly and she quickly returned all shields to maximum capacity. Nyota turned to observe the two of them who had tears of laughter running down their faces and she narrowed her eye brows.
"Do I want to even-"
"Well since you-"
"No, trust me you don't," Skye said "How was class?" asked Skye ignoring Jim's annoyance.
"It was good, Spock took the class, Professor Keegan was off sick today," Nyota explained, Skye not failing to notice how her eyes lit up ever so slightly.
"God it must have been so overly technical," Skye said.
"Well we did learn about the logical decision that the Lonioans made when they were faced by the logical proposition of the logical race that threatened their boarders," Nyota said smiling whilst placing her PADD and books away.
Skye remembered the paper and quickly moved to Nyota "Oh by the way, do you know what this is?"
Nyota accepted the paper and read the words quietly under her breath. When she was finished she looked up.
"It's an ancient dialogue of Klingon, it hasn't been used in thousands of years. It's strange because this document is from section 31," Nyota said slowly looking at Skye and Jim who looked at each other.
"It's classified, highest level, it's a report about a Klingon attack that was stopped before it happened, signed by Denner and sent to the Director of section 31," Nyota finished looking at them.
"It's some project Jim has to do," Skye said "And thanks."
"No problem," Nyota replied.
"It's an old document," Jim waved his hand.
Nyota handed it back to them, opening up her PADD and taking out some work before Jim turned to Skye and they shared one thought.
How the hell did Denner have access to Section 31 papers?
Somewhere in space…
The second slap came harder than the first, it knocked the wind straight from her, sending her flying backwards. He glared at her, nostrils flared and eyes narrowed. She crawled backwards until she reached the wall but he walked forwards in three swift strides, he stood dangerously close to her, sending fear through her body.
"Please," she begged.
"So you beg now," he seethed.
"I did not-"
"Silence, you traitorous bitch," he spat.
He grabbed her face, nails digging into her flesh making her wince but she did not avert her eyes.
"When we arrive you had better hope we find it," he said letting his hand fall from her face and walking slowly away "or you'll end up like them."
She didn't say anything but glanced to her side to see what he had done to them and she shivered, feeling dread course through her veins.
We will find it, she told herself, and when we do it'll be you who will end up like them.
And then she smiled.
Sleep wouldn't come to Skye, no matter how hard she tried to shut everything out, everything came back to her. The horrors that invaded her mind at night and the strange feeling that controlled her like a puppeteer controlling his creations, urging her to get to the bottom of this mystery. And then? A small voice said at the back of her mind. Before she could find an answer she heard a small buzz coming from her nights stand, she sat up and picked up her communicator, the screen illuminating the room. She clicked her messages seeing the little red tick flashing. When she saw who it was from her heart jolted and she sat up a little straighter.
One new message from Joey
"Secrets worth are judged from whom you keep them from."
Go forth to the place where they cover their eyes and seal their sins.
