Hey! I'm sorry it's been forever! I had some big stuff for school, I'm sorry!
Reviews are welcome!
Chapter 6 – Targets and Trust
5th September 2013
Looking at his nose one last time in the mirror before he left, he still couldn't believe it had healed - well he could but it was… weird.
He was halfway down the corridor when – "Spence!"
He turned to see his blonde best friend now fast walking down the corridor to him. "Hey Spence, you okay?"
"Oh, yeah, thanks JJ." He noticed her hair was slightly damp in certain areas from either before or her shower.
"Coming to dinner? We were just round the corner and Hotch heard what he thought was you, so I had to check."
"Yeah, sure." JJ cracked a wide grin with a gleam.
"Hotch! Me and Spence are gonna race you guys there! Ready, steady, go!" A minute later from a distance the pair heard some pair's feet running away.
"Come on Spence. We're gonna take a shortcut, nobody wants to be last for the biggest fry and barbeque food dinner of the year." He gulped when he saw a gleam in her blue eyes. With that she grabbed the puzzled and nervous boy's hand and pulled them toward the wall, starting into a light run. Reading and realising what JJ meant, Spencer began to scream, he didn't want to hit a solid wall.
As the pair were mere inches from the wall he squeezed his eyes shut and prepared for the blow. Only it never came.
Opening one eye, he saw they were still running, but in a different corridor. He opened the other eye and felt a slight suction yet natural feeling as they passed through another wall. Actually enjoying the feeling, Spencer began to willing run with JJ instead of being pulled along like a rag doll. The two looked at each other and smiled playfully. They tripped over each other in attempt to avoid crashing into a startled young blonde woman as they came through the wall. Grabbing each other's hands while in a fit of giggles and with slight embarrassment; they apologised to the shocked woman, before taking off - still laughing.
He felt so relaxed. JJ was the one person in the group he felt he could trust the most – no offence to Will or Kevin or Penelope but she wouldn't be able to keep a secret and the boys weren't quite like JJ. Emily and Rossi were too mysterious and weren't going to open up if they didn't trust him; the other two teens pretty much wanted to rip his head off and were easily out of the equation.
JJ and he arrived in the dining hall, beating the others but at the back of a forty-something person queue. When the rest of the group panted in, JJ couldn't resist the opportunity.
"Geez guys, Spence and I were getting lonely, what took you so long? Especially you Morgan – some agility and stamina you've got."
"Bite me." Will slapped Morgan gently over the head in his girlfriend's defence.
"Hey now! Don't cha talk 'bout ma chere like that or else ya'll find your stuff hangin' from the ceilin'."
"What is this?! Pick on Derek day?"
"No, but it's a good idea, everyone marks your calendars! The 5th of September is 'pick on Derek Morgan day'!"
The group chuckled and shuffled forwarded as the line decreased.
"Hey Garcia, managing okay?" The bubbly blonde grinned.
"Of course my pretties, although it would probably go quicker and I wouldn't mind as much if a certain little Miss Lila Archer would pull her weight around instead of gossiping to her friends." She nodded to a girl around JJ's age who was in deep conversation with two other girls and a guy, than help serving the food.
"Well you know her, just because she can fly without wings, it means that she is higher and mightier than the rest of us." Spencer was surprised at Emily's attitude and the emphasis on 'higher' and 'mightier'. He was beginning to wonder if they really liked anyone outside their own group. Especially when the group murmured similar responses or agreements.
"Boy wonder. Boy wonder!" Garcia's voice snapped him out of his thoughts and almost searching Lila's to see why they hated her and obviously because he hadn't been paying attention could only 'hm?'.
She laughed and shook her head. "Baby boy quit staring; she isn't the bee's knees, besides you'll freak her out if she sees you staring. I said what do you want and how many, I've got chicken thighs, drumsticks, wings and satay sticks."
Unsatisfied with a response of just a single drumstick, she piled two satay sticks and two thighs as well as a drumstick; and ordered Hotch to make sure he ate them all as his mentor. Much to his dismay his mentor nodded and said 'will do', but he was relieved was starting to seem too warm to him or maybe care maybe.
They passed the rest of the servers who were after Garcia – an acid spitter serving various barbequed meats and poultry called Keira, Nathan Harris who would write what he said without needing a pen offering vegetarian foods and sides like chips and different rice types, Derek's younger sister Desiree who was ten and the youngest of the Morgan trio (Sarah was the eldest of the three Morgan's being seventeen but when together Derek was the over protective one) serving various fried meat and sauces, the last server was a guy named Wallace Hines who could copy himself as many times as he liked (according to Emily he was fond replicating himself as a twin whom he called Jesse – despite the fact the copy was him in every way and not another person, which often people saw pointless in him naming his double Jesse considering it was just him but twice over – and causing mayhem throughout the school yet always having an alibi for the time in question).
Spencer had just finished his last satay stick when Rossi and Garcia who he had been waiting for to finish joined them with their own plates.
"What's it like sweetness?" JJ nudged Spencer, who had not realised the question was for him.
"Oh, sorry Penelope, it's great, tastes very…"
"Delizioso, and it should be, I cooked most of it."
Nodding at Rossi's cocky yet jokey statement they continued eating and playfully bantering for the next few minutes. Then they'd been surprised upon learning that Reid had already graduated his high school when he was twelve and was holding out on accepting offers from Caltech (which in secret had some very powerful mutants in charge of various departments there), Yale and a few others. Will had even asked why he was still studying some the classes if he'd graduated, to which the answer was that because of the time length spent at the school and knowledge most people had subjects were more in depth, meaning he could learn some more maybe. Plus on the side-lines Gideon had agreed to help him try and take an external or online degree in something, he'd chosen psychology in the end believing it would be the easiest for him to do given his powers.
A while later, most of the hall had or were nearly finished, when Professor Strauss stood up to do her 'welcome-to-and-the-new-year-start' speech, as JJ had called it.
"Good evening everyone." She received a chorus of 'good evenings' back. "This is a new year and a new chapter in many of your lives. I wish to welcome all returning students back the BAU and welcome those of you, for who it is your first time at the academy, I hope all you faces – new or not – are comfortable and have a pleasant year. You all will know by now that the BAU is a safe haven for all mutants regardless of their abilities, where you can be yourself and learn safely without judgement."
Spencer looked around the hall, thinking of Anderson, telepaths in general – he'd been here just over a day and it was clear not everyone was accepted – but he tuned back to what she was saying anyway.
"However those of you who have been before know that and for those you aren't I will say now; I will and do not tolerate the abuse of gifts to maliciously harm or threaten other students or to damage and destroy any of the property on the grounds, and neither do any of the other professor's here. Action will be taken against those…" Once again he fazed out of the speech and into his own thoughts, not really interested in a big speech, it seemed a few others had the same opinion in the room.
However he was forced out of his own world when a small chorus of 'what' and gasps went through the room, and he refocused himself on what was being said.
"For those of you who don't know the DOM, please do not laugh this is not funny in any way, the Destroyers Of Mutants or the DOM are a unfortunately now large group of normal humans opposed to the existence of mutants. As such this group targets all and any mutants, trying to eliminate them all under the conception that we are a plague to be destroyed. The Guardians, who are the council and main representatives of mutants in almost all cases, are currently trying to negotiate with the White House to stop this group, but the negotiations in themselves are unfortunately an on-going fight. This year, most of you who know of the group, will know that this year the DOM have worked harder to achieve their aims and the belief is that their base is now here, in Virginia or West Virginia although it is not entirely confirmed. Therefore for safety purposes, no students are to leave the school ground without mine and Professor Gideon's permission, as opposed to just Professor Gideon's and it is now decided that those who receive permission will be accompanied with a mentor or teacher at all times. Punishment will the result if any student fails to follow these simple rules. Any evenings out will now take place at certain times only and always in groups and with a teacher. Day trips out will continue as done in the past. Any student who believes that they are being watched or targeted by the DOM should report this to their mentor, Professor Gideon and myself, immediately.
In addition I am sure those of you who know of the DOM, know also of the Brotherhood. This is an anarchist group of mutants who have not taken the current attempt of negotiations well and the treatment or prejudice certain people have for mutants, these mutants have formed together targeting humans in a similar way the DOM target mutants. The Brotherhood see humans as inferior. They are violent and unruly in their actions, which are now causing setbacks for mutants everywhere, especially with the issue of equality in the White House. Anyone found to be a member of this or any violent organisations against humans or mutants alike for any reason will have to leave the school for the safety of the others at the school. That person's information will then be passed to the Guardians who will deal with that person depending on the nature of what they have done; if for the better of the public the person will then be handed to the government authorities by the Guardians.
For those mutants whose crimes it's decided deserve a prison sentence, I have been informed that Cadmus Prison has now finished being remodelled and renovated to cater for criminal mutants. I understand eleven of its cells have already been filled in the week since it was finished. Almost all of you were not aware of the renovations but it was kept top secret until it was completed and the Whitehouse with the Guardians decided that they could inform us and the two other schools in the continent of the prison. The known other mutant shelters around the country have also been informed before the renovations became public knowledge. Tomorrow Cadmus will be unveiled on the news and accompanied by a direct address from the President along with Guardian Council member Professor Aurora Gene or some of you know her as Omen.
I will reiterate, no person here is to take any action for or against either the DOM or Brotherhood; anyone who does will have to face the consequences of their actions and most likely an interrogation from the Guardians, and possibly later a government interrogation. No here is to play hero or villain, it will not end in your favour. As of now the Guardians are monitoring all main mutant shelters, locations and people. These will not be released or shown to the government or general public unless deemed necessary for the safety of the public. The Guardians will not interfere; on occasion they might visit the school to check up but other than that life will continue as before.
Evening registration will take place in a few minutes; go to your mentor now who will check you off. Good night everyone, have a pleasant year. Lights out are at 10o'clock, bed checks will follow shortly after."
Most of the room was in silence, till all of a sudden, dozens of voices starting talking.
"Well that was fucking cheerful!" Garcia and Emily snickered at Rossi's comment but the majority of the group, as well as the room didn't look very happy at the information they'd just processed.
"Why the fuck can't we do anything, if we're all targets we should have the right to do something about it?! It was those assholes who put the target on our backs in the first place!"
"Although I agree Morgan, getting involved would only aggravate the circumstances further, it could lead to an all-out war lasting for years."
The debate between the group continued till people were called to register with their mentors. It turned out Will also had Hotch as a mentor, along with Derek's other sister and four other kids he didn't know.
Afterwards JJ and Spencer were sent to clean up with the four other kids on the rota.
"Okay, you two load the washers with the plates. JJ, you and your friend wash and put away the glasses. James, you and me will do the pans and clean the surfaces. Let's go."
All of them but Spencer set to work, who was curious as to who put the tall, blonde boy in charge.
"You're new. Liam Strauss, I'm Professor Strauss's son. You are?"
"Spencer."
"Oohh, the brainbox, my mom mentioned you. Gotcha. I do what my mom does, but er instead of speaking human languages, I speak to animals. Weird huh?"
"This is a school for mutants; I don't really see how anything could be weird." The boy snorted.
"Fair point. Now off to work."
A cry came from the pair of plate loaders ten minutes later. The pair, a boy called Owen and his girlfriend Jordan had been messing around, and tripped over the lowered door of the dishwasher, resulting in him getting knocked out and her, a huge gash on her head. Liam and James had to carry them off to the infirmary and explain themselves, to as what had happened, leaving JJ and Spencer alone to carry on as best as they could. Seizing the opportunity, Spence turned to JJ, checking they were definitely alone and no one could eavesdrop (especially Hotch who was on the other side of the school).
"JJ?"
"Yeah Spence?"
"Can I tell you something?" A worried expression passed JJ's face and she looked directly at her friend, who was barley whispering.
"Spence?"
Spotting a clipboard with plain paper and a pen in the corner, he walked over and ripped the last sheet, taking the pen.
'Don't say anything, okay? No one can know or hear, especially Hotch.'
Her eyes panicked even more, but she nodded all the same.
'It's about what Professor Strauss said before.'
"Oh-my-god! Spence! Please tell me you're not part of the Brotherhood!" The question was full of concern and none too quiet either.
"What?! NO! Shh. Don't speak – write."
'She said that here was a safe haven, regardless of our abilities.'
'Of course Spence, why?'
'Trust me? I trust you.'
'Yes.'
'Ok, don't react.'
Focusing his mind and lifting his hand, the paper floated steadily but surely a meter off the unit and carried on rising; shortly followed by the pen and a glass.
"Yo-ou… you're a -" Losing his connection instantly, everything dropped as he put a hand over mouth, silencing her. He indicated to the paper scattered on the unit and pen on the floor, which she picked up and sorted, starting to write what she was going to say.
'You're a telepath.'
Spencer was shocked to say the least; he hadn't done anything to show that he was telepathic, just telekinetic.
'Why do you think that, I didn't do anything telepathic?'
'No one obviously told you Spence. A mutant can be telepathic but not necessarily telekinetic; however a mutant with telekinesis will always be telepathic. Don't know why, it's just the way it is.'
'Are you mad at me?' JJ was confused.
'Mad? Why would I be mad?'
'Elle. When I arrived I didn't say anything because I heard yours and Will's negativity towards telepaths, then the others reinforced the idea in some way. You all in one way or another hate telepaths, I didn't know how I could tell you guys. I didn't want to hurt you guys or vice versa.'
'Oh, Spence. I would never, never mind, it's Garner I hate, not you – never you.'
"I'm glad I could trust you JJ, I knew I'd made the right choice!"
A tear rolled down JJ's cheek at the boy's statement, god she felt such a sap but he a way of bringing out her maternal side, even only after a few days.
'Spence…I'm…so touched, thank you.' She thought looking at the boy in front of her.
"It's nothing, you earned it."
"Whoa! How did – duh!"
'Do you listen to thoughts like this often?'
'Not as often as I could, generally I try not to read but erm sometimes I can't help it.'
"Whoa – shit!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I knew there was a 58.34% you would react –"
'Spence, Spence! It's okay! It was just a little weird. How can you broadcast like that to me?'
'Yeah, it took some practice; my mom was willing to help though before she - It's like a… chatroom.'
'Cool. You really trust me this much?'
'JJ, I've known you one day, two hours, 9 minut… Yes, I already trust you more than most people I know. You're…pure, I trust that aspect in you. It could be considered odd, but I trust you like, like Morgan and Garcia or Merlin and Arthur or The Doctor and –'
"Spence, it's okay, I get it. Really though?" She whispered barely audible, wanting to confirm it with speech and not thoughts.
"Is it okay?"
The hug he got in response was all he needed to confirm it was okay and he heard her whisper something about him being like a baby brother.
'I won't tell until you're ready Spence, so don't worry.'
'Thank you JJ! I knew you were great!'
'Lol. Don't say this to Will, he might get jealous.' The pair laughed at each other, knowing their relationship even in this early stage would never along those lines. 'Come on Spence, we better carry on before someone says something.'
'Wait, watch this.' Raising her eyebrows amused as her baby brother furrowed his brows in concentration.
With everything he had, he lifted three glasses and washed them, neither of the two people were two any of the glasses and one was amazed while the other extremely focused.
"Hey guys! Sorry about – wow!" The returning four cleaner mutants were stunned to say the least two find the other two they'd left had done near as dammit all hundred glasses, which were now put away and were closing the dishwashers loaded with plates. The majority of pots and pans used to cook the dinner, only about a fifth were left to wash.
"Uh, took you all long enough, it's been nearly forty minutes. What took so long?"
"Sorry JJ, Jordan – I mean Miss Todd saw us on the way and demanded an explanation, after these muppets were sorted she gave us a lloonngg lecture on safety and our actions, blah blah blah." JJ laughed at Liam, their principals favourite getting told off by a member of staff eight years older than him. "So, uh, I guess you guys can go for the night, you two can have the easier tasks the next few nights. James, you wanna help me finish them up, I mean there's only like three left."
His friend nodded and the others all trudged out the room, saying their 'goodbyes' and 'good nights' to each other.
The pair was halfway down the hall laughing at the day when Spencer froze on the spot, paling three shades.
"Spence?"
"Oh god, oh god, no no no!"
"Spence, what?!"
'I left the paper on there! Did you pick it up by any chance?'
JJ's face mimicked a similar horror to Spencer's and the pair dived back to the kitchen, bumping into a surprised Liam but didn't stop to explain themselves.
The paper was gone.
'What does it mean?'
'Someone knows what I am. In a school that has problems with telepaths, someone has my secret in writing. Damnit, Gideon told me to be careful, I should have listened! I have to find them but what if they have a shield? I'll never find them then!'
The boy was on the verge of a breakdown, his thoughts had been rushed out and all JJ could think to do was to pull the boy into comforting hug, whisper soothing comments.
'Don't worry Spence. We'll ask around discreetly.'
'We need to tell Gideon. Now.'
He gladly accepted the hand a concerned JJ offered him, trying not to have a panic or heat attack on his first full day.
Sorry about the awful names of the groups, was so stuck, yes I took the Brotherhood from X MEN because I was so stuck.
There you go! Like I said, sorry I took forever! Reviews and comments are welcome as always! I'll try and be quicker next time! :)