SCOUT/MIKEY
Mikey hurried into the kitchen, worried about Scout. Jem's announcement had hit her like a physical blow, though she'd tried to hide it. Not sure where to look at first, the pained screech of his wounded desk called him to his office. It was a thing he still could not believe he had. An office. Office sounded so boring that it was strange to have one.
He opened the door a crack, and found Scout on the floor, back to the wall with her face buried in her arms.
He slid to the ground next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close.
She sniffled and looked up at him.
"You wanna talk about it?" He asked and struggled to sign one-handed as the other refused to let her go.
Fresh tears filled Scout's eyes. Her lip quivered and she was glad for once that she didn't have to form words. The pain in her throat never would've let her. Still, she was ashamed. Of many things. Of what she wanted. Of feeling jealous of her brother. Of the things she'd done and was still tempted to do. She leaned against her dad, glad he was there, but he shouldn't be. He should be with Jem. Celebrating.
Her brow furrowed as she pushed herself upright. Wiping at her face, she pasted on an impossible smile. Then she lifted her hands, looked at her fingers. Her words would flow through them. Soundless. Voiceless. Then, rather than use them to form her thoughts, they curled into a fist that seemed to fly into her dad's cabinet. Her eyes blurred. Her other hand rotated, extended, but never made contact.
"I'm happy for him. I am. I swear. I am." She tried to form words, knew they were probably wrong and struggled not to scream.
Her limits were taunting her and Essence was calling. Her teeth ground together as she wrestled her hand free of her dads hold, two more punches into his tired cabinet. She was growling, felt her own noise in her chest. "I'm happy for him. I am! I am!" She sobbed, striking at the cabinet again. "I am! But- it hurts too." Her pain erupted in her strikes.
He watched her struggle and his heart clenched as though a fist were closing around it. He'd been as surprised as anyone when he'd heard the video, but not for the same reason. He'd been listening to Jem sing when he'd thought himself alone for years now. That Jem could overcome his super-shyness, a handicap Mikey could not wrap his mind around, made him really proud.
But he'd been listening to Scout too. And even in Scoutish, no especially in Scoutish, her voice was beautiful too. He always wished he could sing like his kids. They were awesome-sauce.
Had Scout heard her voice on those drugs? Did she know how amazeballs her singing was? Did she believe she her voice wasn't songtastic without it? Could he convince her otherwise?
She probably wouldn't have any of that. But he could remind her of something she was unquestionably better at than anyone else.
He tapped her on the shoulder to make sure she was looking at him as he signed and spoke. "You know, I've got some crazy good ideas for your competition training that I can't wait to try out. How about we ditch this joint and hit the dojo? And, if you're feeling up to it, maybe we can try catching a meeting on our way home. Whaddya say?"
Scouts tsunami of thoughts calmed at the mere mentioning of the dojo. Her muscles were coiled tight, ready to release the inferno of energy inside. She needed to redirect herself, focus her mind on a task, a challenge. And a meeting. Essence was calling, something she did not want. That impossibly tempting itch that she refused to scratch.
Sniffling and swallowing, she wiped her eyes, nodded furiously and threw her arms around her dad. Even when the world reminded her of her limits, he was there to remind her of the possibilities.
SCOUT
Scout would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy having a private training room in the dojo. It wasn't hers as much as exclusive to her when she and her dad were in it. The point was she didn't have to pay attention to anything but her work, and her father's direction. Which, was currently for her to do enough push-ups that her arms might explode. She'd quit counting. There wasn't really a point. He'd let her know when he thought she was done…. Unless he got distracted. She glanced up. He was taking a bite of a breakfast pizza, grinning as he lifted an eye ridge. She rolled her eyes, lowering her body down then up again. She'd asked for this.
There was movement in her periphery, her dad's feet, then someone else's… much smaller feet…human feet. She glanced to her left, near the door, her arms giving out when she looked up to see Grey McCoy talking to her dad.
What was he doing here? Lifting her face from the mat, she got up, noticing her Uncle Leo was with Grey. What was going on? Behind them, in the hall, Drea stood with wide eyes. Jem fidgeted beside her, rubbing the back of his head as he looked toward the exit. Nellie had an odd amused smirk on the set of her mouth.
What. The. Actual. Fuck?
Her dad began signing as she approached. "This is a new student. Leo let him spar with Jem, trying to find the right class for him. He says he'd work well in your cousin's daytime class, but Leo wants to see what he's fully capable of. You interested in a morning match?"
Scout's eyes went from a grinning Grey, to her uncle then her dad. Seriously? Her eyebrows lifted as she pursed her lips and signed. "Does Match Boy have a name? Or should I just call him Bruised Potato?"
Uncle Leo frowned, but Nellie and Drea both covered their mouths then looked away. "Scout." Her uncle scolded. "That's rude. Apologize."
"Cubs?" Her dad seemed shocked or confused, maybe both.
Her head tipped to the side as she jabbed her right finger in a pressure point on Grey's shoulder, guiding him into the nearest wall. She tapped a second point with her left hand, locking him in place so she was free to move her hands. Both her dad and uncle came running over waving their hands in some haphazard sign that generally begged the question, "What are you doing?"
Grey's eyes were wide, the shock of his immobility holding him hostage inside himself. Her jaw shifted as she signed. "What do you think you're doing? This isn't a joke. If I haven't already made it clear, I'm not to be toyed with." Her eyes squinted. "What? You took sign and martial arts after I kicked your ass? Huh? What other creepy shit have you been up to? And why?" She slapped her hands together hard. "Do. Not. Fuck. With. Me. Grey."
Her dad's mouth fell open, realization setting in, as her uncle pushed him aside and released Grey.
Much to Scout's dismay, Grey smiled at her. As if she'd toyed with him and he liked it. He lifted his hands. "You don't scare me, Scout. And yes. I trained my ass off, so no one would ever hurt me the way you did ever again."
Scout glared at him, her hands moving sharp and fast. "Don't make me out to be your bully."
He laughed, a gleam in his eye. "I don't think that at all. In fact, I don't think anyone really understands you." He leaned close, moved his hands slower. "Maybe you don't even understand yourself." His eyebrows, dark and sharp, lifted and dropped. "So. Do I get my match, or not?"
By now her cousins were cramming in the room, blocking the entry. Her uncle was beside himself, her dad seeming frozen. Scout rolled her shoulders, stretching out her sore arms. She gestured to the mats with her head and signed. "I'll try not to break you."
Her dad and uncle looked at each other, but they faded to the background as she stepped onto the mat in the corner opposite Grey.
Creepy.
Stalker.
Shit.
She'd end that right now.
Her family members were signing an array of messages to her. All of which she ignored, as she set her eyes on her opponent and bowed in. The edges of his full lips were tipped up as he bowed in, never taking his eyes off her. Her jaw shifted as she slid into her stance. Behind Grey, her uncle's hands were moving in exaggerated sign. Her dad still standing there immobile.
"Breathe." Uncle Leo signed. "You're mad. I don't know why. But. Reel. It. In. Now."
She wasn't mad.
She was pissed.
She'd beaten this boy up years ago. He wasn't supposed to learn sign and martial arts and keep bothering her! What was this shit? Did he have a death wish?
Grey moved in faster than she expected, not hesitating in his attack. His fist flew at her face, her eyes tracking his knuckles as she dipped left to avoid the hit. Her eyes flew to his, her jaw shifting. He swiped again and her block went up, swatting each strike away as fast as two children slapping their hands at each other. Only her blocks were clean, efficient, effortless. He came at her faster, as she continued to swat him away.
His shoulder dipped a fraction, indicating a shift of weight. He was coming in for a kick. She ducked and circled around behind him, tapping a pressure point on his leg with her foot, that had her uncle throwing his hands in the air in a giant X. That was his signal to stop. It was supposed to be a sparring match, not a takedown.
Grey's brow wrinkled in confusion, his gaze dropping to his leg. Her fingers flew over his body, immobilizing the rest of him. That's when it happened. Actual hurt flickered in his eyes, not pain, although it couldn't have felt good. But hurt, like she'd abused a certain trust.
Heaving a sigh, she reached out to grasp his gi, then hooked his limp leg with her foot, lowering him in a controlled drop. The second his body was against the floor she rolled him over and tapped the release points on his neck.
He rolled back, frowning at her. "Scout." He lifted his hands.
She shook her head. "I don't want this- whatever you're trying to do here. I don't want it right now. I've been through hell the past few months. I'm working hard to keep my shit together. No distractions. You hear me? Do you see my fingers moving, Grey McCoy? Leave. Me. Alone." Then, avoiding the eyes of every family member in the room, she made for the door. Nellie and Jem peeling away like banana skins to clear her path.
A vibration recoiling down the glass panels of the hall, brought her to a stop. She turned around to find her uncle, her dad behind him, as Leo beckoned her to him with a single finger. The set of her uncle's mouth was enough to make her cringe.
She exhaled, her shoulders slumping. Dragging her feet, she stopped in front of him. Her eyes on the floor, then the wall, then to the top of Drea's head as she peeked out the door of the private dojo. It dipped out of sight, at the same time Uncle Leo's hands clapped together, indicating she'd better look at him.
"What happened to holding back, Scout? It was a sparring match. Not a street fight." His hands moved in the same sharp manner hers did when she was upset. Yuck. Uncle Leo mad meant full lecture mode and usually some awful form of discipline after. "I can't let you spar with anyone here if you can't hold back and exhibit control. Which means you won't be competing until you can show me that you can."
Her eyes widened. What? What?! No. Her hands flew up but he crossed his arms. Shit. Fucking Grey McCoy. Uncle Leo unfolded his arms to say one more thing. "You only spar with your dad and me, until I can be sure you aren't going to hurt anyone. That includes your cousins."
Scout's mouth fell open. "I held back." She signed, desperate. "I could've knocked him out. I released him. That was a controlled take down!"
Leo's jaw shifted. "Too late. It was a sparring match. You weren't supposed to make any hard contact. Absolutely no pressure point strikes. Nothing close to- I don't know - taking out his leg before locking up the rest of him! Control of skill and control of self."
He glared at her, smacking his hands together again, in the very second her eyes drifted toward her dad.
Leo shook his head. "You're back here after school, scrubbing mats, cleaning the bathrooms, and so much conditioning I should think you are a muscle by the time you're done."
Then her uncle leaned over, looking her in the eye and signed slow. "You're gifted, Scout. But, you're also dangerous, and you have a responsibility to your art, this family and this dojo to have complete self-control. You test with me once a week, in a scenario of my choosing. When I'm satisfied, then we'll talk about finding you a competition."
MIKEY
Mikey's jaw ached from the effort of keeping his mouth shut, but, contrary to popular opinion, he did know that there was a time and a place to go off on his brother. This wasn't it, although, with a few adjustments, it soon would be.
Catching Jem's eye, he gestured to Scout, while he pointed Nellie at Grey.
Nellie moved quickly to help Grey up and hobble him out of the room.
Jem approached Scout, only to be swatted away as she stomped off. Sighing, he followed her out.
The moment they were alone, Mikey rounded on Leo. "What the shell, dude? I'm her Sensei."
Leo crossed his arms, unperturbed. "And, in father's absence, I'm yours."
"And what, you thought it was a good idea to bring stalker boy in after she explicitly said she wanted some space from him?"
Leo huffed out an annoyed breath. "And I was expected to know that how? You all think I'm nosy, but if people would keep me informed of vital facts, we wouldn't have problems like this."
Mikey relaxed. "So, you're going to back off on her then?"
Leo frowned. "Of course not."
"What?" Mikey protested, flabbergasted. "If it was Shen that some kid was creeping on..."
"...I'd trust Shen to handle it, or ask for help if she didn't think she could." Leo finished for him.
Mikey eyed him, incredulously. "Seriously?"
Leo chuckled. "Don't forget that Karai raised her too."
Mikey shuddered. Ok, fine. That would not end well for the creeper, but... "Leo, she needs this."
"Then she can work for it." Leo replied stonily. "Self-discipline is non-negotiable. Not only is she representing all of us, Sensei and hundreds of years of clan history, it's also for her own good."
Mikey scowled. "But this kid really upsets her."
"She needs to deal with that and not allow it to effect how she fights. You remember how Raph struggled over this too."
Mikey's shoulders slumped. He had a point. A stupid, annoying, dumb point, but still a point. When they were kids, Raph was unbeatable, even for Leo. Unless they got under his shell. Then it was almost too easy. It took him years to get a handle on his temper and pride.
"If she needs to work with Raph on keeping herself in check, so be it, but she must be completely under control before she goes public, more public than the kiddy competitions she's been doing until now. I consider this the most important aspect of her training for the moment. Understood."
Mikey grudgingly nodded. Sure, he understood. But that didn't mean he wouldn't be hiding some old Limburger in the ceiling tiles of Leo's office later.
SCOUT
Scout brushed Jem's hands off, pushing by him, fully intending to leave. Maybe to run until she couldn't anymore. Who knew where her feet would take her. To school? Home? To Tripp's? To a place that might make things easier for a while...
With one hand on the entrance door, she realized a bunch of things at once. One, any solution she found in her past wasn't one with a future. Therefore, not a viable option. And two, she had to go back, she'd left her weapons bag in the dojo. Pressing her brow to the cool glass, she heaved a sigh, fogging it up. Like she did everything, she mused.
What did Leo want from her? How would he like her to handle Grey? What would the ideal match look like to him? Her losing? And why, if she was as good as everyone said, did she not know the answers? She huffed as she stood and turned. She'd just have to work out in the conditioning room until she could get her bag... or until she figured out how she was going to fix this.
It didn't surprise her that Jem was standing there, leaning against the wall, watching, waiting.
"What do you want?" She signed, making her way back down the hall.
He came up alongside her, making sure she could see his signed response. "Guess you realized you weren't going far without your shoes."
Scout looked down at her bare feet, rolled her eyes and elbowed him. "Don't make jokes. This sucks. I really need this, Jem." She hesitated, but he knew she wasn't done, was well versed in waiting her out.
Grey McCoy couldn't have been more wrong in thinking no one understood her. She had many people who did. Her dad. Her mom. And her twin.
And she did love Jem, for how he knew her, how they could read one another. They could use their synchronicity against one another, in play or fight, or to bring happiness, peace and comfort. It was a connection she could not explain and never meant to take for granted. But they were changing. Growing apart even. That along with everything else, was confusing.
She lifted her hands. "I'm really happy for you. With the music, singing, I mean."
She was. It took three hours in the dojo, and an hour at a boring NA meeting, followed by rainbow sherbet shakes in their kitchen at an ungodly hour, but her dad got her through it. And she was in a better place. Or she had been until now.
Jem frowned, looked away then sighed and looked at his hands. "Scout, I-"
She put her hands over his, tried to speak her promise. "I'm happy for you, Jem. It's not easy for me. But this is yours." She motioned to the dojo, returned to signing. "This is mine. I need this place. The art." She looked at him. "I need dad. This is what makes sense to me right now." She frowned. "But I don't understand what Leo wants from me."
Jem smiled, and for a second Scout was hurt. Then he said, "He knows how good you are, Scout. There's not another student in here who will compete at your level. You could make it or break it for this dojo. But more than that, he probably wishes you were his student. It's not easy for him to let our dad have the best in this school as his and not interfere. He's going to set super high standards for you." Jem grinned so big she thought he looked just like their dad. "You know Dad's proud of you, competition or not."
Scout frowned. "Are you trying to tell me that I'm a reflection of our dads teaching, so what I do is a reflection on him?"
Jem shrugged. "Sure. But- you already know that. Lil Sis, what you did to Grey, I don't think it was that bad. Leo was harsh. But he's going to be and he's going to nitpick the shit out of you." Jem stepped in front of her. "He's not looking at lower level competitions for you, Scout. It's hard to find anything that lets people like us in, let alone a fifteen-year-old at your skill level. The stuff he has to choose from, those are adult comps. It's serious shit. Full contact. You could legit get hurt, or hurt someone else if you're not as close to perfect as dad can get you. So yeah, Uncle Leo's going to interfere."
Scout leaned against the wall. "It wasn't supposed to be a big uphill battle. It was supposed to be a goal. Something to work toward that kept my mind off-" Her eyes narrowed. "That shit. I never want to be in that place again, Jem. I'll take scrubbing mats and toilets and conditioning till I drop over what I've been through."
"Good." Jem signed. "Then maybe you should see what dad says and do what you need to. You're obviously where you need to be. So, get it done." Then he pointed toward the doorway to the private dojo, where their dad was waiting. "I'd start there if I were you." He elbowed her and she glared at him, but he winked. "I'm not you. I can't do what you do. None of us can. And if I'm honest, for some of us, it's not because we don't want it. We just don't have the natural gift you do."
Scout sighed. "Don't blow it out of proportion. It's not that big of a deal."
Jem held up a hand to stop her then signed. "Nope. See that's bullshit, because Drea wanted what you've got, and she's good, but Scout you've got something we just- we don't. We can't put in extra hours for things to come to us in a fraction of the time they come to you. You're on the right path for you. I feel that too. Don't fear Leo. Figure him out. Then, win. Because you can."
Great.
Her dad hadn't moved from his spot in the door. Watching. Always seeing. He looked right at her then into the dojo and back, a slight nod of his head.
An invitation.
One she was ready to accept.