Just to avoid confusion, yes I have just skipped two years in the timeline, and when you get to the end of the chapter, you will figure out why!
Also, just curious, but what do you guys think Jim's power is?
Rachel :)
Chapter 2
Okay, so, maybe counting cards wasn't as easy as it looks, Jim thought as he was roughly thrown from the casino doors.
"How many times do I have to tell you DON'T COME BACK!" the Guard snarled.
Jim threw on his signature grin as he stumbled to his feet, "Yea, yea, I love you too, cupcake".
The man took a threatening step forwards, "I warning you Kirk. You're blacklisted on every casino's rota for a reason".
"Yea, it's because I'm just that good!" He shot back, ignoring the tourists staring from either side of him, "And you know it too!"
The security guard turned on his heels, rolling his eyes, "Don't come back, brat. I'm warning you".
"See you tomorrow then" He retorted cheekily, dusting off his clothes.
Watching as the man couldn't hold back an affectionate twitch of the mouth, he waited until he had shut the casino door behind him before turning and walking away.
Jim couldn't help but grin.
It wasn't the counting-cards part that was difficult, it was the not-getting-caught part.
Apparently an obviously-under-twenty-one-year-old kid sneaking into every casino in Las Vegas and beating the system attracted attention.
It hadn't taken long to make a name for himself.
Ducking into the backdoor of a run-down theatre, he shot a flirtatious wink at the lingerie-clad dancers and a salacious smirk at the lion-taming boy.
He could name everyone here by name, such as the reputation he had built up over the two years since he'd arrived. He could point out the aliens, the humans, and the mutants. The show girls who were half Orion, the gymnasts from France and Germany, and the tightrope walker who taught him how to teleport on one terror and awe filled afternoon.
He had taught himself to survive.
Between playing in the casinos, updating the security in the casino's, helping out around the theatre shows and circus acts, and fighting in illegal matches at night, he easily made enough money to get by.
He had a small flat, plenty of friends, and an abundance of people who owed him favours should he ever need one.
And for the first time in 17 years?
James T. Kirk was happy.
Knocking on the old wooden door, he opened it and stepped in, immediately being hit with the scent of incense and candles.
Smiling, he turned around and was immediately embraced by a small large woman.
"Jimmy! It is so good to see you!"
"Hello Martha, still practicing, I see".
She pulled back and grinned, "I haven't grown old enough to lose The Sight".
"Ah, yes, The Sight" He responded, taking a seat on one of the numerous cushions placed on the floor around the room, "Any chance of a fortune?"
"Hmm, let me see" She replied, taking a seat across from him and placing a small crystal ball in between, both hands remaining on the clouded glass.
"I believe, Jimmy, that the possibility of you winning this year's title is... quite high".
He snorted, "Hate to break it to you, ma'am, but I could have told you that myself".
She narrowed her eyes at him and reached across to flick his ear, "I'll have you know, James Kirk, that any ridiculing of my talent will only bring bad karma upon yourself!"
He grinned, "I'm sure it will, Martha. Just as I'm also sure you have quite the penny bet on me for Friday night".
"Well, a woman's allowed to use her power for the greater good, is she not?"
"Even if that 'greater good' is said woman's own pocket?"
She smiled knowingly, "Especially if it's for her own pocket. Not many people believe in the Gift of Sight, you know".
"Yet if you told them you were a mutant and actually could see the future..."
"Then all the magic would gone from it" She replied, "It wouldn't be any fun if what I predicted was guaranteed. Just as it wouldn't be any fun for you if you admitted to the boxing referee that how you fight isn't exactly normal either".
The blonde grinned guilty, ducking his head, "I can't help having enhanced combat, you know that. It's not my fault I picked a fight with the wrong kid in third grade. I didn't even know what I could do back then, let alone what power that kid had".
"I know, just as you can't help having half a dozen other powers either" She replied quietly, voice twinged with sadness, "... You gain any more since I saw you last?"
Jim shook his head, "No. Nothing, thankfully. My mental shields are as strong as ever, and I've been careful about who I touch".
"... It really is a terrible curse".
"Some call it the ultimate mutant's gift".
She slowly nodded, "It's easy for them to say that when they don't have to deal with it. Being able to absorb any power used on you, it's... it's not something I'd wish upon myself. Especially when you can't control it".
He shifted on his knees awkwardly, "Yes, well, ever since you showed me how to create a mental shield, and ever since the rest of the circus found out what I can do... It's been better. Easier. They know not to use their powers on me, and even the incredulous ones backed off after that juggler got too close and I used his own gift against him".
"And it also helps that you're retaining the boxing championship title for the third year, I hope?"
He laughed, "Yes, well, I'll try my best".
"Jimmy. Everyone's too scared to go up against you. Ever since you brought that muscle head to the ground when you were only fifteen... I say you won't have much competition this year".
"Let's hope so" He replied, teasingly flexing near non-existent muscles, "Cause I'd hate to have to explain how I brought down a guy three times my size again. Saying I have 'good luck' really only lasts for so long".
She smiled, "Don't worry, I understand... But now, if you'll excuse me, it's getting late. And I have customers to please".
The blonde quickly stood up, "Try not to tell them too many lies".
"I only lie, Jimmy, because they wouldn't like the truth".
"Oh and you know that for certain, do you?" He teased, and she smirked, tapping her nose, "I can do you one better. I have seen that for certain".
Laughing, he allowed himself to be dragged into one last hug, before he was ushered out the door and into the backstage area once more.
"You coming to the show tonight?"
He continued to walk for the exit door, but shot the girl a winning smile as he passed.
Ruth something-or-other he thought her name was.
"Sorry sweetheart, can't tonight. But I'll be sure to toss you a rose tomorrow, alright?"
She reluctantly nodded, "Alright Jim, but I'm holding you to that!"
Shutting the metal door behind him, he paused to breath in the cool night air, before smiling once more and beginning the short walk home.
All around him, tourists were dazzled and dazed by the bright lights of the city, and to be honest, despite having lived here for two years, he got occasionally star-struck as well.
And that was a reaction he tended to use for his benefit more often than not, easily swiping the occasional wallet or phone from unsuspecting visitors.
Now, however, he was in too good a mood to allow Sin City to live up to its name, and happily made his way through the crowd's content enough to keep his hands safely in his jean pockets.
Until he realised he was being followed, that is.