Author's Note:

Hello everyone and I'm sorry for the long wait, I have no excuse as it was more lazyness than anything else that delayed this chapter but I eventually got myself in gear and finished it. Just to let you know that when I use italics for what Pavel and Lientov say then they're speaking in Russian (hence why all of Pavel's words are said correctly) there is also a bit of whump in this chapter. Thank you for your continued support and I'm again sorry for the long gap.

I own nothing.

Defiance

Jim's mind was turning.

Shortly after Lientov had revealed his goal they had been taken back to their respective cells. He and Scotty had said very little to each other since then and Jim was pondering their captor's plan. It made it very clear that if they were to survive they had to escape themselves as there was no way Archer would or could give up the plans for the Vengeance, there was to much to lose if they fell into the wrong hands and Lientov's hands were definitely the wrong ones. Jim decided to focus on getting him and Scotty out of their cells and finding Pavel first, the rest could come later as the chances were that they'd have to wing it when they escaped anyway.

He sighed; this was going to take a bit more effort than normal.

Pavel paced his small cell anxiously.

It was small and dark with little in it to distract him; he was dreading the inevitable arrival of his uncle and what that would lead to. He could not believe that the man was still alive, sure it had been unclear what had happened to his uncle after the man's crimes were uncovered but he'd been sure that Lientov was gone for good.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of someone entering his cell and he turned to face the door to see the dreaded form of his uncle enter and the man spoke to his nephew in Russian, "Well Pavel, what a coincidence it is for us to meet again in this way."

Pavel summoned his courage to answer, "I'm not scared of you anymore and you won't get away this time."

Lientov smiled, "I must say that you are considerably braver than you were when you were in my care but I think you still fear me Pavel. You were shaking with fear when you first heard my voice and I know all about your little talk with Kirk when I left the room. It appears that you've found an almost parental figure to look up to, I should point out that most boys your age don't cling to their father figure as much as you appear to do. Also I don't believe that many would have considered him to be a suitable role model or father."

"Captain Kirk is a good man and one of the best captains in Starfleet. He always puts his crew first and would do anything for his friends. He is loyal and brave and a more than suitable role model for anyone."

Lientov simply snorted, "Kirk is an idiot with a stupid amount of luck who shouldn't have lived beyond thirteen. It also seems that he has treated you wrongly; you actually now believe that you deserve to be treated as an equal. I'll have to correct that mindset of yours; you are only supposed to work for me and no-one else."

Pavel stood a little taller in defiance, "I'm not something that can be controlled by you, I get my own choices, my own life and I will not be turned into little more than your slave to work on your twisted ideas. I work for Starfleet by choice and they'll never hand over the Vengeance plans to you in exchange for us!"

The older man cut across him, "Starfleet will give me those plans, I have their most famous captain, one of their most brilliant engineers and their own boy genius who is still under their protection." He stood menacingly in front of Pavel who took an involuntary step back as the man continued, "It seems you have picked up far too much of Kirks insolence, I'll just have to remind you of your place."

Knowing what was coming Pavel quickly began to back away from him but there was no way for him to get away as his uncle raised his hand. The first blow sent him staggering back and he had no time to regain his bearings before another followed it, and another, and another until he was on the floor curled in a ball whimpering quietly as Lientov continued to strike him. Eventually the man stopped but Pavel remained curled on the floor as his uncle spoke again, "That was just a small reminder of my authority boy, you belong to me and you'd do well to remember that."

He turned on his heel and left the cell and Pavel didn't move until he was certain he was gone, he uncurled painfully and took stock of his injuries. Though it felt like agony it appeared that nothing was broken and other than serious bruising he was fine. He slowly made his way over to one of the walls and sat with his back against it, pulling his knees up to his chest he hugged them letting out a few small cries of pain at the movement. He let determination fill him; the same determination that powered him through four years at the academy and prove to everyone that he belonged in Starfleet. He wasn't going to let Lientov win, he was his own person and he wouldn't relent to that man anymore. He'd faced much worse before and he was not going to let himself be broken.

Lientov did not own him and never would again.

PS-So shorter than the previous two chapters but I hoped it was enjoyable anyway. Please review and let me know what you think as it'll really help me to write this.