Another chapter, aren't you so lucky?
So, do you guys like the fact I switched the point of view up a little or do you want me to stick with Jim?
Rachel :)
Chapter 4
Over the following three days, Jim became very acquainted with Nyota Uhura and her Scotsman indeed.
Not that they knew it, of course.
After stealing the woman's ID, he had done some research, and had found some articles identifying her as Christopher Pike's best recruiter for none other than the Starfleet Academy for Mutants.
He had heard of the school, not many hadn't, and he knew that they posed no threat. In fact, chances were, they were trying to do the opposite, and actually recruit him.
He quickly sent out the word; that there were two mutants following him, and he didn't want their treasure hunt to be interrupted.
He wanted to hear them out, at least, and wanted to see how long it took them to find him. And so, he told everyone to tell the truth if asked, on every detail except one.
His power.
Jim wasn't stupid, he knew how powerful he was, and how powerful he could be if he so chose.
He didn't choose.
If it were up to him, he would have gotten rid of this curse many years before, and he'd be damned if these 'recruiters' only asked him to join them based on his powers.
And so, he waited.
"You sure this is where he lives?" Uhura whispered, and Scotty nodded, focusing on the electronic lock entering the apartment.
He could feel the wires and circuits rerouting under his hands as he replied.
"Certain, lassie. The fortune teller wasn't exactly shy with her info".
She glanced around the long cream corridor, which looked more like a hotel than an apartment block, "Sure is fancy for an underaged kid with no job".
He shrugged, "Not our place to say. For all we know, he could be living with someone".
She turned back to the door, "How much longer?"
The electronic lock hissed.
He smirked, "It's open".
Pushing open the door, they cautiously stepped into the dark room.
Closing the door behind them, Scotty quickly redid the lock before turning around.
The lights of nearby casino's and fountains basked the apartment in a pale glow, just bright enough to not trip over anything.
"How long do you think it'll take the lad to get here?"
Uhura shrugged, "No idea. But we've waited two years, Scot. I think we can afford another few minutes".
They didn't have that long to wait.
Hearing a beep from the door, they both spun around and froze as it was pushed open, and their target stepped in.
Shutting it after him, he dropped the duffle bag he was holding and leant his forehead against the door, letting out a slow breath. Nyota frowned, concerned by how unaware he was and by the hand clasped tightly over his stomach.
Against her better judgement, she stepped forwards.
"Hey, kid, are you-"
Jim started and spun around, giving them just enough time to see wide panicked eyes before suddenly- He disappeared.
They stared at where the blonde had just stood in shock, the space now only occupied by the gear bag.
Nyota blinked, "... What the fuck? Since when can he teleport?!"
Scotty slowly walked over to the bag and reached down to open it.
"Don't".
This time, they were the ones who jumped.
Spinning around, they found the boy standing at the window, back turned to them as he stared out into the night. In his hands, he held a glass of water and two pills. He downed them both in one movement, the city lights causing the window to reflect and betray his wince as he did so.
Scotty slowly straightened back up, noticing the bruises that trailed down the blonde's jaw and disappeared beneath the collar of his shirt.
"You alright lad?"
"Oh, you know, just peachy" He replied breezily, "Not like I come home to find two strangers after breaking into my house or anything, so why do you ask?"
The Scotsman couldn't help but smile at the response.
Jim glanced at them through the reflection of the glass, "... Why are you following me?"
"We want to... talk to you" Nyota replied, and he rolled his eyes at her, "And you couldn't have found a payphone somewhere?"
"It's not exactly something we can discuss in open air".
"Well then, Ms Uhura, the stage is yours".
They froze.
"... How do you know my name?" She asked, voice barely a whisper.
His reflection smirked, "You'd be surprised what I know. Christopher Pike sent you?"
"... He did" She finally replied, "You already know why we're here, then?"
"I know the concept, but not the details" He admitted, "Starfleet Academy is very hush-hush about those. What do you guys actually do there?"
Nyota couldn't shove down the smile caused by his childish curiosity seeping through the hard-man persona.
"You'd be a student" She explained, "It actually is an Academy, you know".
He made a face, "I'm not one for school".
"I noticed" She smirked, "But we save the boring stuff for choice subjects. The only thing you're actually required to do, is learn how to control your abilities".
"And if I say I can already control my abilities?"
He responded in the plural.
She carefully stored that information for later.
"You're 17, lad" Scotty replied, "I'd barely registered that I actually had an ability at your age".
"Yes, well, I became quite aware at a fairly young age" He shot back, and Nyota quickly agreed.
They had been tracking him for two years, after all.
She didn't want to lose him now.
"And that may be so" She said, "But we can still help you, even if it's just to perfect a few minor details, or work out some knots you might be having. It's not permanent, you can always leave after a few days or weeks or months or however long you like. No one would try to stop you".
He slowly nodded, still facing away from them, "... I can't make a decision now".
"Of course not, lad" Scotty quickly said, "Take a few hours, a few days... How long do you need?"
The blond seemed to think for a minute before finally nodding towards the bag at the man's feet, "Smallest pocket, left hand side. Open it".
He frowned, but did as told, and pulled out a wallet and a small business card.
Nyota grabbed the first item from him almost immediately, "Hang on, is that- is that my- my-"
"Yea" Jim interrupted, "Sorry".
She stared at her purse in shock, "... You pickpocketed me?!"
He turned to them for the first time that night and crossed his arms defensively, "Hey! I didn't know who you were. You could have been trying to kill me!"
She raised an eyebrow in disbelief, and he scowled at her, "Oh don't give me that look. You'd be surprised how many people I've pissed off".
"... You know what kid? I don't think I would be".
He took a deep breath, forcing down the heat that threatened to bubble to the surface, and glanced over at the older man.
"The card?"
He held it up, "It's for a... boxing match?"
"Of sorts" He admitted, "The championship's this Friday".
Nyota stared at him in disbelief, "And you're in it?!"
He glared at her, gesturing towards the bruises littering his jaw, "You don't get this pretty patchwork for nothing, you know".
She softened and took a step forward.
He immediately took a step back.
"Don't".
"I can help!" She protested, and he stared at her distrustfully, "How?"
"I can... take away the pain at least!"
He paused.
"... No" He turned back to the window, "Get out".
"What?! No! You can't just-"
"Get out, or I'll show you just how I'm in the championship" He threatened, voice low and posture stiff.
She made a move to speak again, but Scotty quickly put a hand on her shoulder, "Alright lad. We'll leave... How do we know when you have an answer?"
"... The card" He finally replied, "It'll get you into the match. It's finished at 11pm, so if I'm going with you... I'll meet you then".
"And if you're not?" He asked sharply.
Jim smirked, "Then you'll have just had a once in a lifetime opportunity of seeing Underground Las Vegas... See you then".