A/N So someone (My internet is down so I don't know who) said that they thought Uhura seemed off, but do not fear, there is a reason for this and it will hopefully be addressed in the next chapter which will be Uhura-centric. I have absolutely no idea when this will be up due to unpredictable homework (meh) and other things like sleeping and eating.
So, anyway this chapter is about JT and Sulu going on an adventure, which will basically follow the motto "anything that can go wrong, probably will".
Thank you for all the wonderful feedback and I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 3: Adventure Time
The light had just started to grace the edges of the horizon, and already JT was up and dressed. Today was his allergy test and check-up and he planned to be long gone by the time it came around. Obviously he would be back by the evening and had even left a note explaining that the sunrise was beautiful on a morning like this.
JT silently padded around his room, packing a rucksack with essential supplies: his comm., which was switched off as it would undoubtedly by going off today. His raincoat, he had gotten a cold that had turned into the flu last time he forgot it and it had rained. A small pocketknife, which always came in handy, along with a lighter. He made sure to switch off his alarm and turn the light off as he picked up his shoes, because wearing them down the wooden corridors would make a noise. He silently opened the door, which he greased regularly just for this purpose, and exited his tidy room.
The corridor was dark but his eyes quickly adjusted and he could spot the glowing r red of the emergency exit sign at the end. It had since been alarmed after the first time he escaped using it however it was pretty easy to bypass. For someone of his skill, obviously. He almost sighed at their stupidity and that's when he heard the creak of a door opening behind him. JT froze and looked for a hiding place as the corridor was bathed in a soft gold light. He didn't turn around to see whose door had opened, as he dived into a small alcove between rooms.
Hikaru Sulu stood peering down the corridor, already dressed in black carrying a small bag. He had heard JT leaving many times at odd hours and was dying to go with him on one of his adventures. He was tired of just hearing about the things he got up to outside the orphanage and secretly Hikaru fancied himself as a bit of a rebel. He had been up and dressed an hour before and had simply sat waiting for the very subtle sounds JT when he was awake. The creak of the bed, the scuffle of feet and the soft 'click' of the bedside lamp.
Hikaru moved slowly but deliberately with feather-light steps, like a fencer should. He knew he hadn't left already as it would take some time after Spock's last reprogramming of the alarms. He made his way cautiously down the corridor, looking out for any sign of his closest friend. A small sound alerted him to an alcove used for cleaning supplies about 10 metres further down the corridor. He didn't want to speak and wake anyone up so as he rounded into the alcove he stepped into it and came up with a face-full of mop. HIkaru stumbled backwards, expecting to continue his descent and subsequent crash, instead strong, agile arms gripped his forearms and pulled him against a chest.
JT looked down on a very young looking Sulu, infact Sulu was 6 months older than him despite being 4 inches shorter. He was still grabbing onto his forearms like he might fall over again and regretted putting the mop in front of him to hide himself. JT cursed for not hearing Sulu get up, which meant he had been up a hell of a lot longer then him. He had to admire his friend's patience and quietness who had fooled him into thinking he was asleep. Last year that would have gotten him killed.
HIkaru still felt slightly unstable, his earlier grace had deserted him s he held on to JT's forearms, they felt reassuring, if slightly thin but he wasn't a very bulky child. Still he did seem a little of the skinny side, Hikaru was the opposite he had filled out before he will, and he definitely will fill up. HE looked up into JT's concerned eyes and spoke softly and hesitantly.
"Um, hey there, I uh… always wanted to see the sun rise from the top of the hill and well… I uh, like know the only way of getting out of here that early was with you, so could I like… tag along, I promise I won't be any trouble, please?" He excuse was pretty pathetic and he sounded like Pavel when he didn't get ice-cream but JT's eyes softened as he carefully let go of his forearms. Hikaru righted himself and stood on his own. JT pulled him back into the alcove before speaking.
"Sulu, man, way to give a guy a fright; you want to join me on one of my grand adventures then?" He spoke softly by thankfully for HIkaru, no anger or malice. He continued: "Well you've already put the effort in so I don't really have a choice now do I?"
JT stepped back into the corridor with Hikaru close behind; they made no sound as the advanced on the exit door. When they reached it JT motioned for Sulu to keep watch down the corridor.
JT stood in front of the wall panned that held the alarm system; it had been upgraded and encased in a super tough housing. It really wasn't very much of a challenge for someone who life once depended on hacking and breakig into things. JT flexed his fingers before pulling out a can of his pack that he had placed on the floor. He also pulled out a mask that he placed over his face and after alerting Sulu as to what he was about to do, took off the cap and placed the nozzle at the first metal fastening. It was kinda stupid that for all the technology in the federation, you still couldn't protect against liquid nitrogen.
JT carefully poured some over the first clip, impressed at how it froze, cracked then fell into JT hand, which he had gloved before leaving his room. He placed it into his pack and continued the process with a further eight pins. When only the top two remained he turned back to where Sulu was watching the corridor. He looked so… innocent and was so loyal. He didn't deserve them. He shook the thought out of his head (Spock would call him illogical and state that thoughts cannot be removed from ones head by shaking) JT Snickered lightly at the thought. At this sound Sulu turned around and gave him a questioning look.
"Hey, Sulu I need you to hold the cover for this and catch it when it falls, you got that?" he spoke with urgency, it was harder than last time and the sun would be up soon; he had to move fast.
"Sure, thing JT" he seemed happy at being allowed to help with the escape. Sulu moved himself in front of JT as he cracked off the last two clips. The cover was rather heavy but Sulu held onto it deftly, placing it lightly on the doormat so as not to make a sound.
A complex set of wires was now exposed and JT quickly started stripping certain ones and entwining them with other. Hikaru looked on in awe as JT efficiently rewired the entire box, his brow furrowed in a look of concentration. Finally there was some sparking and the heavy door swung open. Sulu made a quick grab for it before it hit the metal railing behind it. JT gave a nod of approval before picking up both their bags.
JT gestured for Sulu to go first "After you, nice grab by the way, didn't think I used that much grease" He still spoke softly as the corridor was bathed in a strange misty light of the early morning.
Sulu stepped out and immediately pulled his jacket tighter around him. It was September and the mornings had turned cold; the temperature dropping off after the hot summer. Sulu descended the stairs quickly and he could hear JT close behind him after shutting the door. It was still dark but his eyes had long adjusted to it. JT came up beside him and handed him his bag. JT turned around under the stairs and after rooting around for a while came up with a small cool-bag for storing food.
Sulu and JT quickly made their way to the bottom of the expansive garden, Sulu spared a look at his plants and almost tripped over a stray rock, catching himself just in time. They came upon the spiky hedge and JT procured some tough sacks from under the old car and spread them evenly over the hedge. He indicated for Sulu to climb and he scrambled over, JT's pack sailed over his head and landed in a conveniently, too convenient, pile of leaves on the other side. Sulu dropped down onto them, carefully avoiding the pack. After righting himself he moved both out of the way just in time as JT also sailed over doing a somersault in mid air, show-off, HIkaru thought. He landed perfectly and gave Hikaru a lop-sided smile.
"It makes life more interesting" He says by way of explanation for the flip. They picked up their respective bags and continued across a field and intot he woods. Sulu couldn't see a thing once they entered as the canopy covered what little sunlight had been present and the thick trunks blocked out the edges. JT seemed aware of this fact and grabbed his wrist as he guided him deeper into the wood.
"Don't worry I know the way off by heart, you get used to it pretty quick" JT murmured. Hikaru grabbed on tighter and they trekked on.
Around an hour later and he could tell the sun had almost breached the horizon fully. They had come to the end of the forest and were now in an open meadow. Hikaru didn't know that it was so beautiful up here, they had climbed a hill during their hike though the wood. No wonder JT left so much.
"Its beautiful up here, so peaceful and calm, great to get away from things" He said wistfully. HIkaru wondered what 'things' he was talking about. But had no time to wonder further as JT had set off the a small incline a couple of hundred metres left of where they were. When Hikaru had finally caught up to JT he had simply dumped his pack and was standing on the ledge staring. HIkaru jogged the last few steps to see what had made him so mesmerized and as he cam to the crest he gasped.
The view was stunning; it looked out over the other side of the valley from where he normally went. This vista was almost untouched and stretched on for miles until the mountains in the far distance. He too dropped his bag and stared. Transfixed by the beauty of it. And then there was the sun that had indeed breached the horizon, casting long shadows over the valley. It was over whelming and he felt himself sink to his knees, he couldn't close his eyes though, afraid it might disappear altogether.
A rustling beside him startled out of his trance and he looked over to see JT pulling out some granola bars from his cool-bag. JT handed him one and said nothing for a while as the munched and adsorbed the view.
"It never seems how I remember it, I want to take a picture but I know it won't be the same" He stared out before continuing "You're the first person who I've taken up here, it's lovely for sunsets too you know. It's all red and glowing reminds of a time…" He stopped abruptly and trailed off. Hikaru looked down, wondering what exactly could be like this, nowhere on Earth for sure.
They stayed for hours like that, content in each other's company until the sun got too hot, even for September and they cleared away all their rubbish and departed. Hikaru was surprised when JT when Left and down a small concealed track instead of back into the forest.
"Umm, JT the forest is that way, where are we going?" He questioned lightly.
JT paused and replied, "Don't you want to cool off, it's pretty sticky here" And left it at that.
The continued down until Hikaru heard the sound of running water. And gasped again as they came to a waterfall about 4 meters high, it was mystical how the small pool was so clear and never ending. JT had already got his shirt off and was working on his trousers. HIkaru followed without complaint, it looked so good and he was itching to dive in.
Hikaru waited for JT to go first, he dived in and arced his body the enter the water smoothly with hardly any splash. Hikaru was less graceful and just jumped then swam over the where JT was currently under the falls. IT was so cool against his skin. He had to come back sometime, anytime.
JT looked so carefree here, he had a tendency to look so much older at the orphanage but here he looked even younger as he laughed in the falls. Hikaru joined him and they spent yet more time in the pool, laughing and splashing each other.
Alas he could see the sun start the droop and knew they had to return and that it where their good luck ran out. It happened so fast that Hikaru didn't realize it.
A rock, further up stream had dislodged itself and started tumbling down, unfortunately it was right in the path of Hkaru as it prepared to launch itself off the edge. Luckily JT had spotted said rock and was in the process of shoving Hikaru out of the way as it fell landing on his arm and pulling him down with it. JT felt trapped again and started to panic. His breathing increased and bubbles escaped between his lips. His heart was thudding in his chest as he tried to wrench his arm free. Suddenly he felt the rock shift and a pair of arms wrapped tightly around his form. He felt his vision darken and swim like he was in something much thicker than water.
It was a sudden shock to see the light again as he and Sulu broke the surface. He still couldn't breathe as he processed that, he was alive, he was safe, no he was no back there. He could hear a voice calling to him but his mouth couldn't work.
"JT! JT! TALK TO ME. PLEASE!" Sulu was shouting and that finally brought him back to himself. He breathed and finally spoke.
"Sulu, calm down hey, sorry, I panicked, lets get to the edge" JT was still hoarse and breathing unevenly. Nevertheless they made it (just) and Sulu heaved JT up before doing the same himself. It was here the JT preceded to pass out from the pain.
- Local hospital 12 hours later -
JT didn't feel right, like he was floating on a cloud and, as he came back to himself and regained his senses, he finally understood where he was and they had him on the good stuff. He felt no pain.
His sense of peace was shattered as a very angry looking Bones stormed in followed by a doctor who he recognised from his previous visits to this place. He didn't know his name and just called him the doctor. He was young and always wore a bow tie. JT liked him, made his feel safe, like nothing could go wrong.
"YOU GODDAMN IDIOT, YOU'VE BEEN OUT FOR TWELVE HOURS, POOR SULU ALMOST DIES OF EXHUSTION RUNNING BACK TO GET HELP, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING, YOU WERE PRACTICALY DEAD WHEN THEY GOT TO YOU, YOU BARELY GOT TO KEEP YOUR ARM. I'M GOING TO MURDER YOU ONE OF THESE DAYS" Bones was yelling very loudly and The Doctor was just checking is vitals on the bio-bed. After his rant Bones then went into full mother-hen mode and started, messing around with his blankets and pillows then handing him a glass of water.
"we were so worried, I think Spock might have even showed some emotion, although that might have been because you got out… again" Bones was much quieter now.
The Doctor piped in "Well JT you're looking good, you can go home later today after we've checked the cast on your arm of course." He left after promising a nurse would be along soon with his discharge papers. Bones stayed with him ad recounted the events of the last 12 hours.
Sulu had run all the way back to the Orphanage, in near hyper-ventilation. He almost collapsed had Chekov not been outside to go get someone. After contacting an ambulance a shuttle was landed in the meadow and a nearly dead JT was found by the side of the falls.
Apparently JT had no heartbeat or BP and for while it was touch and go. Once at the hospital, it was only two hours in surgery (not bad by JT's standards) and some very strong pain meds before here they were. Bones looked about to either hug or strangle him so JT made the decision to make up him mind for him and sit up to wrap his arms around Bones. HE returned the hug as a nurse walked in. She long blonde hair and pale skin. She reminded JT of some girl off this old show Uhura used to watch. He couldn't remember the name but it had a LOT of singing and was set in some 21st century high school. She walked up to him and inspected him cast before handing him a load of papers that Bones quickly took and signed.
"Well, it looks like you're all good to go, you're clothes are in the cabinet and I think I saw someone outside waiting for you, have a nice day" The nurse 'Ellen' spoke softly to him. Bones handed her the papers and she quickly left Bones following her.
One of the staff was waiting outside for him and she shook her head before enveloping him in a hug. She lead them out the to hover car. Bones guided an unsteady JT to the back and bundled him in.
JT fell asleep on the way back but woke up in his own bed to Pavel sleeping soundly next to him. There was a collection of cards on his dresser and some books from Uhurha. He smiled as he drifted off again.
It was nice to have a family.
A/N OMG THAT TOOK FOREVER TO WRITE. I started it a week ago and haven't updated since. Very sorry about that. I have already started the next chapter but I have a so much English writing to do, I probably wont want to do anymore until Saturday. So again thank you all for reading please review. Sorry if the end was rushed, but I needed to get it done otherwise Saturday would be the earliest and that's AGESSSS away. Have fun and keep reading