{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat","title":"Evening Flights of Fancy","subtitle":"Awake When Others Sleep","author":{"name":"evening_bat"},"link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"service.feed","type":"application\/x.atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom","title":"Evening Flights of Fancy"}}],"updated":"2014-09-26T01:52:01Z","entry":[{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:24675","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/24675.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=24675"}}],"title":"[Musketeers] FIC: Carry Me Far","published":"2014-09-26T01:52:01Z","updated":"2014-09-26T01:52:01Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"musketeers"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> Carry Me Far
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Gen
Rating:<\/b> PG-13
Word Count:<\/b> ~8000
Warnings:<\/b> Some violence and injuries, not much more than found in canon
Summary:<\/b> Athos was injured, imprisoned, and waiting for the worst, but it seemed that help was not as impossibly far away as he'd thought. (AU)

Notes:<\/b> The initial idea for this story came from a conversation with <\/a>lynndyre<\/b><\/a><\/span>, who was also kind enough to let me ramble endlessly about it until I found a workable variation. The impetus to write the story was provided by the <\/a>all4onebigbang<\/b><\/a><\/span> challenge. And <\/a>seryan<\/b><\/a><\/span> was gracious enough to provide a rush job beta at my frantic request to ensure that the story (mostly) made enough sense to post. Remaining errors & issues are entirely my fault. Thanks to all for making this story a thing that actually exists!\t


Carry Me Far<\/b><\/center>


Eyes open or closed, the darkness was so deep as to make no difference. Athos felt it better to keep them closed in any case and spare himself the illusory press of the walls of his cell. He lay where he\u2019d been dropped on the dirty straw piled in the corner. There was no comfort to be had in this place, and no reason to stir his injuries with any undue attempts at movement. Even the draw of a deep breath set his myriad cuts and bruises to complaining. Then again, that was perhaps a small mercy. The stench of the moldy straw hardly encouraged one to breathe too deeply.

Fresh air was a painfully rare commodity down here, a fact which hadn\u2019t been lost on his captors. They\u2019d laughed as they\u2019d slammed the door for the first time. \u201cNot so above it all now, are you, airkin?\u201d

God help him, he wasn\u2019t, shut away in the dark with the rasp of every breath echoing back to him from the too-close walls. The only thing keeping him halfway in his right mind was the spiteful refusal to give them the satisfaction of breaking him.

He didn\u2019t know how long it had since Maillard\u2019s betrayal had left him an unwilling guest of de Beaulieu\u2019s dubious hospitality. The pattern of his days \u2013 interminable hours in the claustrophobic darkness of his windowless cell, interrupted by beatings at the hands of de Beaulieu\u2019s hired thugs \u2013 made it difficult to track the passage of time. He suspected it was far shorter a time than the ages it felt; he was still alive, after all. Not that he expected to persist in that state for much longer.

The rasp of a lock turning didn\u2019t inspire any improvement in his outlook, though a small part of Athos wondered at the lack of noise. Previous visitors had always announced themselves with a veritable cacophony of heavy footsteps and cruel laughter, voices echoing through the dank cellar long before the door to his prison swung open. By comparison, the men who\u2019d just slunk into his prison had entered in near silence and even more surprisingly, appeared in no great hurry to announce themselves with a new flurry of blows.

Something approaching curiosity prompted Athos to open his eyes, squinting against even the dim light that shone red against his eyelids. He flinched despite himself when the first sight to cross his blurry vision was a shadow kneeling beside him. His breath caught and he ground his teeth against the pain that jolted through him at the involuntary motion, momentarily losing track of the man who\u2019d startled him.

\u201cEasy now,\u201d he heard as his senses steadied again. \u201cWe\u2019re here to help.\u201d

Here to help<\/i>? Athos slid his gaze from the shadowy figure at his side to the big man holding the lantern, lingering near the door.

\u201cMake it quick \u2013 we don\u2019t have much time,\u201d he warned, low-voiced and worried.

\u201cHe\u2019s right,\u201d the one next to Athos said. \u201cYou\u2019re one of Treville\u2019s, aren\u2019t you? We\u2019re...well, call us agents of his. We\u2019ve come to get you out and send you home.\u201d

Athos wasn\u2019t sure he believed them, but their actions seemed too elaborate to be a trick of his captors. And it wasn\u2019t as if his situation had much room to worsen, was it? He had nothing to lose by trusting their word, and he\u2019d risk far more than his dignity for a chance to be free of this place. \u201cThat would be appreciated.\u201d

The shadow beside him hissed in sympathy at the hoarseness of his reply but moved straight on to the business of escape. \u201cGood. Can you stand?\u201d

Athos hadn\u2019t thought so, but he managed with a judicious amount of help. Despite the support, his vision clouded over for an alarming few seconds when he tried to get his feet under him, but he blinked himself back to awareness to find himself propped between his rescuers as they shuffled slowly out of his cell.

\u201cAll right there?\u201d The question came from the lantern-holder and held shades of the same concern displayed by his companion.

\u201cI will be,\u201d Athos forced between clenched teeth. Walking hurt like nothing else he\u2019d ever felt, but he had little choice and staying would lead to worse.

He let them lead him through the quiet corridors, grimly clinging to their shoulders as he stumbled along between them. The darkness and silence of the house suggested it was night, a fact he was able to confirm when they finally slipped out a servants\u2019 door into a messy alleyway. Athos tipped his head back as far as he could and sucked in a deep breath of chilly air heedless of the complaints of his injuries. The pain was of small consequence compared to the relief at being out of his cell and able to see open sky over his head.

Attention fixed above him, he was only dimly aware of a whispered exchange taking place around him before his weight was carefully transferred to the larger of his rescuers as the other slipped away back into the house. He bit down on a groan as the movement jostled his assortment of cuts and bruises.

\u201cWhere\u2019s he gone?\u201d he asked, trying to blink the sparks out of the corners of his eyes.

\u201cTo make sure the house gets locked up safe behind us.\u201d

\u201cA good idea,\u201d Athos agreed vaguely.

\u201cWell, best to be sure that \u2013 oh. Oh no. Come on, don\u2019t do this now. You\u2019ve made it this far \u2013 just stay \u2013\u201d

But his vision was fogging over again, and this time there was no shaking it off. Athos felt the arm around his shoulders tighten even as his knees buckled, but he didn\u2019t remember hitting the ground.

When next he woke, Athos found his circumstances much improved. He was lying in an actual bed, next to an open window through which came a most welcome breeze. Equally welcome was the discovery that he was clean, the filth of his imprisonment washed away, and his wounds had been tended. It still hurt to move, but it no longer felt like to kill him. He laboriously pushed himself up on to one elbow to better survey the room, oddly surprised to find it empty. For a moment he considered climbing out of the bed and making his own way back to Paris but found himself stymied by his current unclothed state. He hardly missed the dirty rags he\u2019d been wearing (all save for his pauldron and his sword, oh, those<\/i> he missed) but wandering the streets of Bordeaux in naught but a sheet didn\u2019t strike him as a successful means of avoiding notice.

Ah, well. Athos let himself slide back into the sheets with a sigh. Quite aside from his lack of clothing and any other resource, the mysterious pair from last night had kept true to their word so far. There was no pressing need to separate himself from their company just yet.

He\u2019d no sooner decided to stay when the doorknob turned, and Athos got his first good look at the men who\u2019d liberated him. Both were dark of hair and eye. One was of a height with him, perhaps a bit taller, and wore shades of dusty brown, from his long leather coat to the hat perched at a rakish angle on his head. The second was both taller and broader. He wore black, liberally and lavishly embellished against the plain colour, with a large, equally decorative hat. Both were armed, and moved with the trained confidence of competent fighters, and something in Athos\u2019 chest loosened when they both brightened with pleased smiles at the sight of him.

\u201cWell, hello then! Good to see you awake. How are you feeling?\u201d asked the one in brown, examining his bandages with a critical eye as he approached, a long, slim bundle tucked under one arm.

\u201cMuch improved,\u201d Athos answered, dipping his head in a grateful nod. \u201cYou have my thanks. And my apologies,\u201d he added to the one in black, now closing the door behind himself. \u201cI would rather have not made an extra burden of myself.\u201d

The one in black shrugged off his words. \u201cI saw what they\u2019d done to you. Most wouldn\u2019t have made it out of that cell. You don\u2019t need to apologize to me.\u201d

\u201cThough you do look rather better now,\u201d was his companion\u2019s satisfied assessment as he pulled a chair away from the table tucked into the corner of the room and took a seat. \u201cTime for more pleasant business, then. I\u2019m Aramis, and this is Porthos. Might we know the name of the musketeer we\u2019ve had the pleasure of rescuing?\u201d

\u201cAthos,\u201d he said briefly. \u201cYou said you\u2019re Treville\u2019s agents?\u201d

Treville had mentioned allies in Bordeaux before Athos\u2019 departure. He\u2019d instructed Athos to call at a local church and leave a message in the event that their mission went sour. Somehow Athos wasn\u2019t surprised that the men who\u2019d earned his captain\u2019s trust hadn\u2019t been content to wait for a call to arms.

Aramis nodded approvingly. \u201cYou remember that. Good. And yes, we\u2019ve had cause to help Captain Treville in the past, when he was passing through.\u201d

\u201cHe left a lasting impression so these days we do him the occasional good turn when the opportunity presents itself,\u201d Porthos added.

\u201cAnd you presented an irresistible opportunity,\u201d Aramis finished smoothly. \u201cWe\u2019re making arrangements to get you out of the city, but in the meantime, how did you end up in de Beaulieu\u2019s tender care?\u201d

\u201cWe were betrayed.\u201d Athos swallowed a surge of fury at the memory. \u201cOne of the regiment assigned to the city, Maillard. He arranged a meeting with de Beaulieu so that we might deliver the sealed letters we\u2019d carried from the capital. But we walked into a conference between our host and a Spanish spy. Bad timing all around. And that\u2019s when Maillard put a knife into Luc\u2019s back, shot Philippe, and turned me over to de Beaulieu\u2019s guards.\u201d

His outrage was catching, it seemed. Aramis had straightened in his chair, and Porthos had visibly tensed where he leaned against the wall.

\u201cMaillard, you say?\u201d Porthos asked, deceptively casual.

\u201cI believe we know the man,\u201d Aramis said, lips curled into a sharp-edged smile. \u201cHis reputation is...unsavory. Surprising for a musketeer but evidently deserved.\u201d

\u201cFeel free to take him as another opportunity,\u201d Athos suggested, hands curled into tight fists on the sheets. Maillard had never been a favourite in the ranks, but they\u2019d still called him brother. His treason and very personal betrayal of their oaths rankled. The King\u2019s justice would certainly order Maillard put to death if brought to trial, seeing as he\u2019d killed two musketeers and conspired in espionage. But Athos would rest easier the sooner Maillard was dead. He was in no shape to be hunting the man himself, but however unofficial their capacity, he thought that Aramis and Porthos would make fitting executioners.

\u201cWe\u2019d take de Beaulieu\u2019s guards as another if we could.\u201d Anger was plain in Porthos\u2019 voice.

Aramis nodded agreement. \u201cEven if we were inclined to let the beatings pass \u2013 which we are most certainly not<\/i> \u2013 shutting you up in the basement was indefensibly cruel. No decent man would confine an airkin so.\u201d

Porthos was earthkin; that was obvious at a glance. One couldn\u2019t ask for a steadier, more grounded presence. Aramis was harder to identify, more shifting sand than solid stone, but Athos guessed he was earthkin as well. There was a slick polish to him, and a distinct impression that here was a man who enjoyed the physical. Besides, it was evident that they were brothers, blood-relation or no.

Athos fought not to react to the sudden, visceral memory of his lightless, airless prison, averting his eyes from their silent sympathy. Even the most grounded of earthkin knew that airkin suffered when shut away from the sky. He drew a steady, slow breath and turned his face towards the window for a long moment. \u201cI doubt that that lot is overly burdened with decent men.\u201d

\u201cClearly not.\u201d

Athos exhaled, a long relieved sigh. He\u2019d survived far worse than the bruises and shallow cuts, however numerous, but that damned cell had nearly smothered him. \u201cHow did you find me?\u201d

Porthos snorted. \u201cDe Beaulieu\u2019s men don\u2019t have any more discretion than decency. Word got back to us that they were bragging in their favourite tavern about getting the best of one of the King\u2019s Musketeers. Aramis bribed one of the house staff to let us in so we could get you out.\u201d

\u201cIt turns out that de Beaulieu isn\u2019t much kinder to his staff than to his unexpected guests. She was tremendously helpful.\u201d Aramis reached down to the bundle he\u2019d carried into the room, placing it on the edge of Athos\u2019 bed. \u201cSpeaking of, I believe this is yours.\u201d

Athos reached out with an unsteady hand and picked the knot loose. He swallowed hard when the cloth fell open, and he immediately recognized the familiar lines of his blade.

\u201cMy thanks a thousand times over, gentlemen,\u201d he said, voice gone hoarse again. He\u2019d walked away from his family, from Anne, but he\u2019d never willingly been parted from his sword.

Aramis just smiled at him, something akin to understanding softening the expression. \u201cClothes can be replaced, but we thought you\u2019d appreciate this returned to you.\u201d

\u201cVery much so,\u201d he agreed, tracing a careful finger down its length before wrapping it up again. He looked to each of them, unable to hide the depth of his gratitude.

He cleared his throat, uncomfortable with the display of sentiment, and resumed a more business-like air. \u201cYou said you were making arrangements for my departure?\u201d

His recently buoyed hopes foundered somewhat when they exchanged a speaking glance. Clearly they weren\u2019t expecting him to like this part of their explanation.

\u201cIt\u2019ll be a least a few days before you go anywhere,\u201d Aramis said. \u201cThere\u2019s a friendly crew sailing out of Bordeaux at the end of the week. They\u2019ve agreed to take you aboard.\u201d

\u201cThe end of the week?\u201d In truth, Athos wasn\u2019t entirely certain what day it was, but that seemed too long to wait. De Beaulieu couldn\u2019t be happy that his prisoner had escaped. \u201cWhy wait?\u201d

\u201cAside from the fact that you\u2019ve been beaten and starved half to death?\u201d Porthos promptly retorted. \u201cIt\u2019ll be that at least long before you\u2019re fit to travel. And Aramis tells me that more than a few of those slices are showing signs of infection.\u201d

\u201cI\u2019m fine \u2013 they were barely more than scratches.\u201d Still, Athos couldn\u2019t quite stop the reflexive glance down at the thankfully clean bandages wrapped around his arms.

\u201cYou will<\/i> be fine,\u201d Aramis agreed. \u201cProvided you take the chance to rest and recover for a few days before we put you on that ship. Besides, we wanted to be sure we\u2019d found a trustworthy captain.\u201d

\u201cThere\u2019s no need to wait that long,\u201d Athos persisted, stubbornly blinking unwontedly heavy eyelids.

\u201cOh, for God\u2019s sake,\u201d Porthos sighed and turned to Aramis. \u201cI think he\u2019s actually worse than you are.\u201d

\u201cHey now!\u201d

Porthos just rolled his eyes. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what. We\u2019ll open this argument again when you can get out of that bed by yourself and stay awake longer than ten minutes at a stretch, all right?\u201d

Athos had intended to protest that point, but he fell asleep before he could marshal his argument.

The next two days passed in much the same manner, with Athos sleeping far more than he felt was necessary while Porthos and Aramis came and went about their business. He suspected they were trying to keep an eye on him \u2013 there were times when one of them was present while clearly worrying after the other \u2013 but any protests fell on deaf ears. Though he\u2019d already be on his way if given a choice, Athos was privately grateful for their insistence. He was recovering but slowly, and he still found himself needing their help. It made him surly, but they weathered his temper with good grace.

In addition to his role in liberating him and finding a safe place for him to recover, Aramis also proved to be the one who\u2019d tended to his injuries. He continued to do so as they readied for Athos\u2019 departure, cheerfully declaring him on the mend as the week progressed. He had a delicate touch for a man trained to fight, and Athos was soldier enough to recognize and appreciate competent doctoring when it was being worked on him.

The days had passed with so little trouble or sign of concern from Aramis and Porthos, that it came as a nasty shock when the door to Aramis\u2019 room slammed open, and an angry young man stormed in.

\u201cAramis! What have you been up \u2013 you\u2019re not Aramis,\u201d he realized, stopping short and blinking at Athos in confusion.

So clearly firekin that he practically cast sparks, Athos identified automatically, even as he reached for his sword, still bundled into its cloth under the bed. The boy\u2019s hand had fallen to the hilt of his own weapon, as he visibly reoriented himself. Fortunately they were interrupted before either of them could do something regrettable.

\u201cWell spotted, d\u2019Artagnan. There may be hope for you yet,\u201d Aramis said as he breezed into the room behind him, shoving the boy further into the room as he shut the door firmly behind him. \u201cNow would you be so kind as to lower your voice before you announce it to all and sundry?\u201d

\u201cSorry.\u201d The apology came apparently by rote, as d\u2019Artagnan was still eyeing Athos warily. \u201cBut I\u2019ve been looking for you for days.\u201d

\u201cWe\u2019ve been busy \u2013\u201d

\u201cAnd I\u2019m not the only one.\u201d

\u201cDamn.\u201d Aramis shook his head, abruptly abandoning whatever story he\u2019d been planning on feeding the boy. \u201cWho else?\u201d

\u201cAlmost everyone, as far as I can tell.\u201d D\u2019Artagnan\u2019s dark eyes were worried as they watched Aramis pace up and down the length of the room. \u201cYour names are everywhere, and people are talking about money changing hands now. Whatever you\u2019ve done, it\u2019s made someone very angry.\u201d

\u201cAnd how do you come into things?\u201d Aramis stilled, attention focused wholly on d\u2019Artagnan\u2019s answer.

\u201cA couple of Gaspard\u2019s thugs were asking after you. They thought I\u2019d be willing to pass on what I knew.\u201d His shoulders lifted in a flippant shrug, and his grin turned faintly smug. \u201cThey were wrong.\u201d

\u201cAre you all \u2013 \u201c

\u201cI\u2019m fine<\/i>.\u201d D\u2019Artagnan impatiently waved off Aramis\u2019 concern. \u201cBut you\u2019re in trouble. A lot of trouble. Let me help.\u201d

\u201cDamn,\u201d Aramis repeated softly, tossing his hat to the side and tugging his fingers through his hair as he thought. \u201cOkay, you want to help?\u201d

\u201cOf course!\u201d

\u201cDon\u2019t go home tonight.\u201d Aramis gestured sharply to cut off d\u2019Artagnan\u2019s objection. \u201cGet yourself a room somewhere, stay with one of the girls you\u2019ve been flirting with, just don\u2019t go back to where you\u2019ve been staying. Be at Porthos\u2019 favourite bakery first thing tomorrow \u2013 one of us will meet you there.\u201d

\u201cDon\u2019t go home<\/i>? Aramis, what you have you gotten yourselves into?\u201d He shot a quick look over at Athos, obviously drawing a few conclusions of his own, before turning back to Aramis in earnest appeal. \u201cAnd I said I wanted to help, not hide<\/i>.\u201d

\u201cYou will be, d\u2019Artagnan,\u201d Aramis promised, clapping him on the shoulder. \u201cBut for now we need you someplace safe for the night so you\u2019ll be free to act tomorrow.\u201d

\u201cBut I \u2013\u201d

Aramis leaned in close to d\u2019Artagnan\u2019s ear. \u201cPlease. Do this and you won\u2019t just be helping us, you\u2019ll be helping the King\u2019s own Musketeers.\u201d

D\u2019Artagnan drew back in surprise, then looked at Athos again, eyes going wide as he looked back and forth between them. \u201cI \u2013 yes! Okay, yes,\u201d he agreed hastily, nearly tripping over his own feet as he hurried out of the room.

Athos shot a glance over at Aramis, eyebrow raised in silent inquiry.

Aramis sighed, mouth quirking in a wry smile. \u201cHis father was a Musketeer. He\u2019s had his head filled with stories since he was old enough to listen. He\u2019s desperate to join the regiment, but the family farm isn\u2019t doing well, so he fetched up here to try and raise the money he needed.\u201d

\u201cHe seems...enthusiastic.\u201d

\u201cOh, you have no idea.\u201d Aramis\u2019 sigh was equal parts frustration and fondness. \u201cBut he\u2019s got a good heart, and he\u2019s fantastic with a sword. If he lives long enough, he\u2019ll be a great addition to the ranks.\u201d

\u201cWe can always use good men,\u201d Athos said, quietly wondering about Aramis himself. He and Porthos spoke of Treville with personal fondness, and he trusted them to aid musketeers in distress. They acted nearly as part of the regiment themselves and yet had no apparent interest in claiming a proper place in it. Oh yes, Athos would have questions<\/i> for his captain when he returned to Paris.

Aramis broke into his musing. \u201cWill you be all right on your own for a bit? I need to go find Porthos. This changes things.\u201d

Athos waved him off. \u201cGo, I\u2019ll be fine. I\u2019m strong enough to hold my own, if need be.\u201d A few days of rest and decent food had made all the difference in the world.

Aramis gave him a quick once-over before nodding then slipped out the door.

Neither Aramis nor Porthos appeared again until the next morning. He lifted his head at a quiet knock on the door, relieved to see them returned safely. Both of them looked tired as they quietly closed the door behind them \u2013 tired and more worried than he\u2019d seen them yet.

\u201cD\u2019Artagnan?\u201d he asked immediately.

\u201cWe sent him on ahead,\u201d Porthos answered through a yawn as Aramis wandered over to take a seat at the edge of Athos\u2019 bed, rubbing his eyes. \u201cCalled in a favour with a captain I know. He\u2019s got a fast ship, leaving port today. D\u2019Artagnan\u2019s on board now \u2013 we told him to get to Paris as soon as possible with a message for Treville.\u201d

\u201cReally.\u201d Surely d\u2019Artagnan didn\u2019t know enough to be a useful messenger in this case. Not unless they\u2019d told him far more than Athos thought they had.

\u201cWe needed him out of town,\u201d Aramis conceded. \u201cIt seems that people have connected him with us, which would have put him in a rather unpleasant situation.\u201d

\u201cAnd you?\u201d If they were in enough danger to need to get their friend out of the city, it didn\u2019t bode well for their own chances.

They exchanged another long look, some argument passing between them that Athos couldn\u2019t read. Porthos scowled but appeared to give in under Aramis\u2019 stubborn stare, shoulders bowing in as he turned away.

\u201cAs for us, it seems you\u2019ll have company on your journey,\u201d Aramis said, determination vanishing under a thick layer of cheer.

Athos considered that for a moment. The pair of them were good company, and he was surprisingly comfortable with them, but still... \u201cOh good. I grow tired of being the only invalid.\u201d

The comment won him a pair of rueful grins, and a reluctant snicker. Earthkin did not travel well by sea.

\u201cWell, this will<\/i> be interesting,\u201d Aramis declared as he allowed himself to fall over backwards onto the bed.

Athos resisted the urge to kick at him as the man\u2019s weight settled across his feet. \u201cWhen do we leave?\u201d

\u201cThree days from now,\u201d Porthos sighed, dropping heavily into a chair and rubbing his hands over his face. \u201cJust three more days.\u201d

\u201cThe captain of the ship is a friend of my family\u2019s,\u201d Aramis said to the ceiling before Athos could question why they continued to wait. \u201cIt\u2019s why we went to him in the first place. We can trust him to keep his mouth shut when people try to bribe answers out of him, and he\u2019ll make sure his crew does the same.\u201d

Sound reasons. \u201cThree days, then.\u201d

The remaining time passed agonizingly slowly for Athos, while Porthos clearly felt the seconds slipping through his fingers. Aramis came to despair of both of them within hours and quickly abandoned the room for more pleasant places to catch his rest. He continued to make himself scarce until the night before their departure, when the muffled sounds of a conversation drifted through the wall behind Athos\u2019 bed, Aramis\u2019 and Porthos\u2019 voices carrying from the room Porthos had taken earlier in the week. Athos suspected they\u2019d begun speaking circumspectly but forgot caution as they grew agitated.

\u201cYes, you\u2019re being ridiculous!\u201d was the first thing he heard, Porthos\u2019 frustration carrying as clearly as his words. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to do this!\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019d prefer we sit around and wait for de Bealieu\u2019s objections to our interference to catch up with us?\u201d came Aramis\u2019 tart response.

\u201cI\u2019d prefer<\/i> that we go with the option that doesn\u2019t involve boarding a boat and sailing all the way up the coast of France!\u201d

\u201cAh, Porthos, I\u2019m sorry. Are you going to be all right? We can find another \u2013\u201c

\u201cDon\u2019t be stupid, I\u2019ll be fine. It won\u2019t be much fun, but I can handle it. It\u2019s you I\u2019m worried about.\u201d

\u201cYou needn\u2019t be.\u201d

\u201cOf course I do! You don\u2019t have enough sense to do it yourself. You know<\/i> what they say about leaving \u2013\u201c

\u201cAnd I don\u2019t care<\/i>. The consequences aren\u2019t set in stone, and I refuse to let de Beaulieu chase me \u2013 chase us<\/i> \u2013 into the woods like animals.\u201d

There was a gusty sigh. \u201cYou\u2019re set on this, aren\u2019t you?\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019d have to hit me over the head and tie me to the saddle to keep me from boarding that ship tomorrow.\u201d

\u201cDon\u2019t tempt me!\u201d

But there was laughter trailing those words, and their voices quieted afterwards, leaving Athos to wonder about what he\u2019d heard until he fell asleep.

Aramis was waiting for them in the boarding house\u2019s common room the next morning, and he and Porthos carried on as if they\u2019d never had a disagreement in their lives. Athos looked back and forth between them but could see nothing more than determination on their faces. He\u2019d trusted them to know what they were about so far, he reasoned, and they had yet to lead him false.

They slipped out as the sun was rising, dressed as nondescriptly as they could manage between them, and made their way through the still-quiet streets. Athos was content to follow their lead, far less familiar with the city than were they, and rather preoccupied with working out the stiffness of his muscles. He was well on the way to recovery, but it had been too long since he could move freely, and he was dismayed at the lingering weakness. A quick glance to his side showed he wasn\u2019t the only one struggling; Porthos was looking distinctly sallow, and they hadn\u2019t yet caught sight of the water. Aramis had forged on ahead and was refusing to look at either of them. Athos gritted his teeth, forced himself to pick up his pace, and fervently hoped for good weather.

The captain welcomed them aboard like long lost relatives, catching Aramis in a crushing embrace before ushering them hastily belowdecks. He eyed Athos up and down before apparently finding him acceptable, then turned his attention to the other two.

\u201cAre you certain<\/i> you want to do this? You know it won\u2019t be a pleasant journey.\u201d

\u201cWe know.\u201d Porthos was already looking ill.

Aramis just nodded, setting his jaw. \u201cStaying is just as risky as going.\u201d

The captain sighed heavily. \u201cOn your heads be it. Stay here until I send someone down to fetch you. I\u2019ll get us out to open water as soon as I can. Bucket\u2019s over there if you need it before then.\u201d

None of them did, but it was a near thing. Porthos had been swallowing rather desperately for long minutes before a crew member tapped on the door to the small cabin in which they were waiting. Porthos nearly knocked the poor man over in his frantic rush for the deck. Aramis hadn\u2019t yet taken sick, but he\u2019d been acting nearly addled since they\u2019d set sail. Athos caught him by the chin, turning his face so that their eyes met and sighed when Aramis simply blinked at him in vague bemusement. The tables had turned, it seemed, leaving Athos the only functional man between them.

\u201cAn interesting trip, indeed,\u201d he murmured as he nodded thanks at the crewman, took Aramis by the elbow and headed for the deck to check on Porthos.

As expected, they found Porthos hanging miserably over the railing, coughing and spluttering as he emptied his unsettled stomach over the side.

The sight seemed to revive Aramis somewhat, and he gently tugged his arm free of Athos\u2019 guiding grip to make his way over to Porthos. Athos was surprised to see that Aramis had already adopted a sailor\u2019s rolling gait; clearly this wasn\u2019t his first time on a boat. The previous experience must be the reason he\u2019d been spared the worst of the illness plaguing Porthos. Odd that \u2013 given Porthos\u2019 concern the previous evening, Athos had expected Aramis to be more adversely affected.

\u201cAll right, you should be fine for the next little while,\u201d Aramis was saying to Porthos as he clung to the rail, carefully patting him on the back. \u201cLet\u2019s find you some water. And I\u2019ve brought a bottle of that tonic your landlady swears by, that ought to help.\u201d

Porthos groaned unhappily but allowed himself to be shepherded to a makeshift seat on a coil of rope.

Athos turned away to hide a smile he couldn\u2019t contain, letting Aramis\u2019 fussing and Porthos\u2019 grumbling fade into comfortable background noise. He turned his face into the breeze and closed his eyes against the glare of the sun off the waves, allowing the knowledge that he was free, and safe, and going home sink in, easing muscles held too long braced for a new blow.

The remainder of the journey passed with surprising ease. Porthos eventually became sufficiently acclimated to sea travel that he was no longer in danger of ejecting vital organs at every lurch of the ship, though he never quite picked up the knack of keeping down a decent meal. Athos spent as much time as he could on the deck, happy to feel the endless push and pull of the wind. Aramis wandered between them, claiming a companionable space at Porthos\u2019 side at the railing or beside Athos at the prow. But for all that the trip was unexpectedly pleasant, Athos\u2019 nerves still tightened with a thrill of anticipation when Nantes loomed large on the horizon. One step closer to Paris and justice for his fallen brothers.

\u201cWhat now?\u201d Aramis asked quietly as he and Porthos took up positions to either side of Athos.

\u201cI check in with the local garrison,\u201d Athos answered, eyes still straining towards shore. \u201cWhatever comes next, I\u2019ll require resources to replace what I lost to Maillard and de Beaulieu.\u201d

\u201cWe,\u201d Porthos corrected, cuffing him lightly on the shoulder. \u201cWe<\/i> will need resources. You aren\u2019t rid of us just yet.\u201d

\u201cIt would be a waste to come so far without seeing this through to the end,\u201d Aramis added lightly.

Athos barely hesitated before he shrugged acceptance. \u201cIf you wish.\u201d In truth, their continued company would be welcome, moreso than he\u2019d easily admit. If they were determined to accompany him further, he wouldn\u2019t argue against it.

There was no need to hide belowdecks this time, so the three of them stayed at the rail, safely out of the path of the bustling crew, as the ship sailed into Nantes. Porthos scrambled ashore the instant the gangplank was laid, transparently relieved to have solid ground under his feet. Athos followed more sedately, though he didn\u2019t waste any time disembarking either. In contrast, Aramis lingered at the top of the plank, apparently exchanging farewells with the ship\u2019s captain. Their conversation continued far beyond what Athos felt was warranted, family friend or no, but he wondered at the look that Porthos was directing at the pair. He couldn\u2019t possibly be worried that Aramis might abandon them now<\/i>. Athos had met them only days ago, and even he knew that was an impossibility.

The shout of his name in a familiar voice cut across his wandering thoughts, immediately demanding his full attention. He was astonished to see Captain Treville crossing the pier towards him, accompanied by two full squads of musketeers. He straightened to attention as Treville approached, eyes narrowing when a pair of musketeers shoved Maillard to the front of their ranks, one last push sending him sprawling to the rough wood at their feet. Treville waved off the formality, and Athos gratefully relaxed out of the rigid stance that had strained his still-healing injuries. From Treville\u2019s sharp glance, he hadn\u2019t missed the rough hitch in what should have been an easy movement.

\u201cAthos. Good to see you. Particularly given recent reports out of Bordeaux.\u201d Treville paced over to him, looking him up and down.

Athos inclined his head, making no effort to hide his condition from Treville\u2019s scrutiny.

\u201cThis one practically broke and ran at the mere mention of your name. Do you think you could shed some light on the reason why?\u201d Treville flicked a glance at Maillard, watching without expression as one of the other musketeers landed a kick in Maillard\u2019s ribs. Maillard flinched and glared, but there was fear cracking through his defiance. A reasonable response, Athos supposed, when one was surrounded by angry musketeers. Especially when those musketeers had good cause to feel that you\u2019d betrayed them.

\u201cI owe Luc and Philippe nothing less than an exhaustively thorough report on Maillard\u2019s actions in Bordeaux.\u201d Athos stared down at the man, hands clenching as he struggled to leash in the urge to draw on him. \u201cHis reasons for wishing to avoid attending this reunion should be quite evident.\u201d That they would also explain why Athos had returned late and alone went without saying.

With the men safely at his back, Treville allowed Athos to see the twist of grief pass across his face before the expression chilled into icy rage. He gestured sharply, and a pair of musketeers broke ranks to drag Maillard to his feet again. \u201cSee him well secured, gentlemen. We\u2019ll take him before the king to see justice done.\u201d

Athos watched them tighten their grips on Maillard, grimly satisfied at the hopeless fear on the man\u2019s face. He deserved far worse, but at least he\u2019d have the length of their journey to dread his inevitable execution.

A rush of motion at the edge of his vision had Athos turning his head to see d\u2019Artagnan emerge from the rear of the group of musketeers and practically pounce on Porthos. Porthos immediately brightened at the sight of him, clapping d\u2019Artagnan on the shoulder as he returned d\u2019Artagnan\u2019s enthusiastic welcome. Athos found some of his anger dissipating at the display, a smile tugging at his mouth as he turned back to the captain. Treville met his grin with one of his own, apparently similarly cheered by the sight.

\u201cInteresting company in which you return to us,\u201d he said, lifting a hand in greeting to Porthos. He raised an eyebrow when Aramis finally made his way down the gangplank but included him in the gesture without hesitation. \u201cI hadn\u2019t thought to see those two venture this far north. They\u2019re rather far from home.\u201d

\u201cUnexpected, I\u2019m sure, but I trust not unwelcome?\u201d Of this, Athos was certain. These two were far more than agents whose loyalty Treville had bought.

\u201cNot in the least,\u201d came the prompt confirmation. \u201cI\u2019d have had them in Paris years ago if either of them had been willing to make the trip. And the boy they sent will make a fine musketeer with a bit of seasoning \u2013 ah, damn it all.\u201d

The abrupt change in tone startled Athos, but not so much as the worried furrow of Treville\u2019s brow alarmed him. He shot a hasty glance over to edge of the pier, breath catching at the open fear on Porthos\u2019 face as he steadied Aramis, who\u2019d paled to a terrifying shade of grey. Athos barely waited for Treville\u2019s curt, \u201cGo,\u201d before he was in motion, hurrying over to them with as much haste as he could manage.

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d he demanded as he reached them, catching Aramis\u2019 shoulder in a bracing grip. On Aramis\u2019 other side, d\u2019Artagnan echoed his concern, and Porthos cupped one wan cheek in his free hand, breathing a steady stream of low, vehement encouragement as Aramis swayed. \u201cAramis! Are you all right?\u201d

Aramis turned his head, the movement slow and full of effort, and Athos hissed a curse when Aramis\u2019 unfocused eyes looked straight through him. His lips moved soundlessly, no breath behind the words he was trying to shape.

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Athos asked again, and the clutch of his hand on Aramis\u2019 shoulder tightened to the point where it must have hurt.

But for all that the man looked halfway to a corpse, Porthos was the only one prepared for the moment when Aramis\u2019 knees buckled.

\u201cNo, no, no,\u201d he muttered as he caught Aramis firmly around the waist, lowering him gently to the ground. He propped Aramis against his own chest, patting carefully at his face. \u201cCome on, Aramis! You made it this far!\u201d

D\u2019Artagnan had dropped to his knees beside them, hovering anxiously as he exchanged helpless looks with Athos. \u201cPorthos \u2013 what \u2013\u201d

Porthos shook his head without lifting his eyes from Aramis\u2019 slack face. \u201cHe\u2019s waterkin.\u201d

\u201cHe\u2019s what<\/i>?\u201d Oh, but that made a terrible kind of sense\u2026

\u201cBut he came here! On a boat! And we\u2019re right next to a river!\u201d d\u2019Artagnan protested, worry transmuting to fear as he looked from Aramis to the water nearby and back.

\u201cThat wouldn\u2019t matter if it isn\u2019t his river,\u201d Athos said, voice flat. Of course<\/i> Aramis had reminded him of drifting sand, especially standing next to Porthos. Porthos had lent him solidity, but in retrospect, the shift of the tides was obvious. How had Athos missed<\/i> it? \u201cBound to the Garonne, I take it?\u201d

Porthos nodded miserably, expression crumpling when Aramis remained unresponsive. \u201cIt\u2019s why we stayed there so long. He couldn\u2019t go, and I wouldn\u2019t leave without him.\u201d

It was one of life\u2019s little jokes that the most fluid element restricted its kin most tightly. Firekin flourished wherever fuel could be found to sustain them. Earthkin could travel anywhere there was ground beneath their feet. Airkin moved as freely as the clouds in the skies. But waterkin suffered away from their element, and land-dwelling waterkin were typically riverbound. It was generally accepted wisdom that one didn\u2019t separate a waterkin from his source, not if one hoped to keep that waterkin alive.

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t he say<\/i> something?\u201d Athos asked, the question reduced to a harsh whisper.

Porthos\u2019 answering smile was sad. \u201cPeople always have trouble figuring him out, and he\u2019s not above using it to his advantage. We thought you figured him for probably earthkin. If he\u2019d let on otherwise, you\u2019d never have agreed to let us do this.\u201d

\u201cOf course not!\u201d Athos might have privately entertained the notion that it might be pleasant to keep these two at his side a while longer, but he\u2019d never have traded Aramis\u2019 life for the idle thought. \u201cWhat was he thinking?\u201d

\u201cOh trust me, there wasn\u2019t much thinking<\/i> involved. He never was one for listening to common sense, and he hated being limited to the course of the river. And of course he\u2019d heard all the stories about waterkin who left their sources and adapted to new lands.\u201d Porthos dragged his sleeve over his eyes, tightening his grip around Aramis\u2019 shoulders. \u201cThe idiot was convinced they were true. And determined to find a way to try it.\u201d

Athos twisted his mouth into a humourless smile. \u201cAnd then I come along and give him a perfect excuse to be foolish.\u201d He wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d ever forgive Aramis for that. Athos had already had more than enough regrets of his own without having Aramis\u2019 death laid at his feet.

Porthos grimaced an apology at him. \u201cHe\u2019d have found a reason. I\u2019ve been trying to talk him out of this for years.\u201d

Athos stared down at Aramis, limp and faded in Porthos\u2019 arms, and found little comfort in the rationalization.

\u201cFor a while there, I thought he might even manage it.\u201d Porthos smiled down at Aramis, and something in Athos\u2019 much-battered heart cracked at his evident grief. \u201cBut I suppose he\u2019s got enough sea-faring cousins that the ocean just...kept him afloat until now.\u201d

\u201cSo what do we do for him?\u201d d\u2019Artagnan asked, traces of hope still lingering in his expectant expression.

\u201cWe take him in and return some of the hospitality these two were kind enough to extend to Athos,\u201d Treville answered from behind him.

Porthos looked up at the sound of his voice, surprise momentarily brightening his face. \u201cCaptain Treville! I\u2013\u201d

\u201cIt\u2019s the least we owe you. And less than I owe either of you,\u201d Treville interrupted firmly. \u201cEven if you weren\u2019t trying to outrun the consequences of helping my men, I promised you\u2019d both have a place if you ever came to me.\u201d

Porthos stared mutely at him for a long second before drawing a shaky breath and nodding grateful acceptance. Athos and d\u2019Artagnan moved to help him to his feet, taking some of Aramis\u2019 weight until Porthos was upright again.

\u201cCan we keep him with one of us in the saddle? Or shall we send someone to arrange for a cart?\u201d Athos asked before Porthos got the idea that the burden was his alone to shoulder.

\u201cI\u2019d rather keep him with me \u2013 with us,\u201d Porthos said, drawing one of Aramis\u2019 arms over his shoulder as d\u2019Artagnan ducked under the other so they could carry him between them.

\u201cThen stay with us he shall,\u201d Athos promised, striding over to the squad commanders to inquire after mounts.

The trip back to Paris seemed longer than usual, undoubtedly due to the anxious attention they paid to every slow, even breath. Since Aramis stubbornly refused to wake, they couldn\u2019t help but watch him for any sign of stirring. (And dreaded any sign of the slow, inevitable fade that they all half-expected but refused to admit aloud.) But despite the weight of his companions\u2019 stares Aramis remained unconscious for the entire journey, oblivious to the muttered sympathy of the accompanying squads of musketeers.

\u201cIf he survives, I\u2019m going to kill him when he wakes up for doing this to me,\u201d Porthos swore one night after a large swallow from the bottle of wine he and Athos had been passing back and forth between them.

\u201cI\u2019ll help,\u201d Athos offered. Aramis wasn\u2019t likely to live through this, and they both knew it. But in the unlikely event that he did, it would be best to act immediately<\/i> to prevent a repeat display of thoughtless self-sacrifice.

Porthos actually cracked a smile at that, saluting Athos with the bottle before taking another swallow.

The nights were the worst. Porthos expended as much time and energy as a man could spare on seeing to Aramis\u2019 well-being, seeing him settled safely and comfortably each night before tending to the minimum of his own needs. He sat endless hours at Aramis\u2019 bedside, carefully bathing the dust of the road from his face. Athos did his best not to listen to the words that spilled from his lips as he tended to Aramis; far too many had the sound of confession rather than comfort. D\u2019Artagnan was eager to help, fetching and carrying endless cups of tea and soup, wine and stew for the rest of them, and preparing heated rocks to tuck into Aramis\u2019 blankets. There was little tenderness in Athos, but he occasionally stepped in to bully Porthos off to sleep with the promise that he\u2019d sit watch on Aramis while he was gone. And if some of those long, dark evenings passed with Aramis\u2019 hand caught in his own while Athos breathed promises and encouragement over his skin, well, neither one of them was telling anyone about it.

They established something of a routine after they reached the capital. Athos had duties he could no longer ignore, and d\u2019Artagnan was in training to join the regiment. The boy had every bit as much promise as Aramis had indicated, and Athos looked forward to their sparring sessions. Porthos made a few appearances at roll calls but spent most of his time with Aramis with Treville\u2019s blessing. Athos and d\u2019Artagnan visited as best they could, for Porthos\u2019 sake as much as Aramis. Someone had to see that they didn\u2019t lose both of them, after all. Porthos would have a place in the musketeers at the end of Aramis\u2019 illness, Treville had told Athos, and Athos hoped it would give the man something to focus on when it was all over. And for all that life went on, it felt as though they were all holding their breath and waiting.

The afternoon that Athos walked in and found Aramis\u2019 sickroom empty, it felt as though someone had punched that long-held breath straight out of him. He lurched to a halt in the doorway, one hand clenching to white-knuckled tightness on the frame. The sheets were a tangled mess, dragged halfway onto the floor, and Porthos\u2019 chair lay on its side next to the wall.

Damn, damn, damn<\/i>. Athos shut his eyes against the sting of futile tears, leaning the side of his head against the rough wood of the doorframe for a long moment to steady himself. He\u2019d known this was coming, but it was no help in cushioning the blow. Strange, though. He thought he could hear laughter echoing down the halls. He permitted himself one more deep breath before pushing himself upright and venturing forth to investigate.

It didn\u2019t take long for him to find Porthos, similarly slumped in a nearby doorway. His shoulders shook, and he\u2019d covered his face with one hand. The shouts of laughter from the courtyard outside must be nothing short of cruelty to him at the moment. Athos swallowed hard and walked towards him, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Athos wasn\u2019t surprised to see tears rolling down his face when he dropped his hand, but the wide, beaming smile was unexpected. \u201cPorthos?\u201d

\u201cCan we please<\/i> go inside now?\u201d someone shouted before Porthos could draw breath to explain, and Athos leaned forward to look past him into the courtyard.

The rain was the first thing he noticed, a steady, drenching downpour that had soaked everything in sight. Poor d\u2019Artagnan was out in the middle of it, unhappily swiping his wet hair out of his eyes as he shivered dramatically. Athos had little sympathy to spare for the boy \u2013 all of his attention focused instead on the man next to him. It was Aramis, standing on his own two feet, arms spread wide and face tipped up to the sky. He\u2019d been out there long enough to get thoroughly drenched; water was dripping from his hair, from the clinging fabric of his shirt. He was smiling, sweetly and brightly enough to rival any summer sunshine, and Athos once again found himself blinking against tears.

\u201cNot that I\u2019m not glad to see you\u2019re all right, Aramis, but come on. Can we at least get out of the rain?\u201d

Aramis hummed acknowledgement of d\u2019Artagnan\u2019s complaints but made no move towards the shelter of the garrison. \u201cRain\u2019s water too. Every bit as sweet here as at home.\u201d

D\u2019Artagnan flung up his hands in frustration, abandoning Aramis to the weather as he headed for the doorway in which Porthos and Athos still lingered. They shuffled aside to make room for him, staring out into the rain as Aramis lifted his hands to the sky, laughter bubbling out of him. Athos couldn\u2019t look away, shoulder to shoulder with Porthos and d\u2019Artagnan, as they watched Aramis acquaint himself with a new flavour of water.

\u201cShall we give him a few moments, gentlemen?\u201d Athos asked, looking from Porthos to d\u2019Artagnan and back. \u201cThen we can drag him back inside and ensure that he agrees to forego any such dramatics in the future.\u201d

D\u2019Artagnan laughed and agreed, still trying to wring some of the water out of his sleeves. Porthos just nodded, still overcome, and Athos clapped him on the shoulder as they watched in companionable silence. Until today, Athos would never had said he was overly fond of grey weather, not after countless rainy patrols, endless hours being chafed by wet clothes, inevitably futile attempts to stay dry while on campaign. But now the scatter of raindrops would always remind him of relief and of Aramis, sleek and happy and unbelievably, miraculously alive. With that image in mind, Athos thought he might yet learn to love the rain.

FIN<\/b>


End Notes:<\/b> Title from Lights\u2019 River<\/i>. It seemed appropriate. :)<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:24341","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/24341.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=24341"}}],"title":"Dear Prime Time Player...","published":"2014-05-01T22:28:54Z","updated":"2014-05-01T22:28:54Z","category":{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic challenge"}},"content":"Thanks for tackling the challenge of writing me a story. I look forward to reading it! :D

I'm going to go ahead and ramble for a bit about story elements and character tidbits that I like and those that I'd rather avoid. I hope they will help you refine your ideas rather than making you feel limited.


Blanket DO NOT WANT elements:<\/b>

No major character death, non-con, or heartbreaking endings, please. I'm also not a fan of mpreg or alpha\/beta\/omega dynamics.


Blanket YES PLEASE elements:<\/b>

I enjoy plot and character interaction, and I love seeing characters be intelligent and capable. I am a huge fan of h\/c. Also, while I don't want people to die and stay dead, presumed<\/i> character death is A-OK.



Fandom 1:<\/b> The Musketeers
Character:<\/b> Aramis

I am fond of all of our heroes, but Aramis is my hands-down favourite. I'd love to see something with him in an important role, though I'd certainly welcome the presence of the other three musketeers. (Or two, if you fancy trying your hand at something set pre-series, a time about which I am very curious.) Gen is lovely, but I'm also a slash fan. Athos\/Aramis and OT3 are my preferred pairings. I'd love to see something that shows us why these guys were called the Inseparables. The Musketeers are a quintessential example of swashbucklers, and anything that puts that on display would be awesome. I'd prefer if the story wasn't too focused heavily on the canon romances but totally understand if you want to include some elements.



Fandom 3:<\/b> Final Fantasy XII
Character:<\/b> Balthier

I've played a number of RPGs, including a handful of the FF series, but FFXII is one of the very few I've played to completion. I even played through all the optional content. (Except for the fishing game because to hell<\/i> with that.) I loved the world, and the politics, and the grand adventure. But of all of the party characters, Balthier stood out the most. Tell me a story about him, please? Any story. How and why did he leave Archades? How'd he meet Fran, and why did she stick with him? What in-game adventures didn't we see on-screen? How'd he and Fran survive the crash of the Bahamut? What's he doing over in FFT? Seriously, I'd really love to read anything about him. (Like I said, I like them smart and capable, and he's both.) I adored the partnership between him and Fran, so I'd be happy to see her included in the story. The rest of the party is welcome, though aside from the sky pirates, Basch was the character I liked the most. I'm really not a fan of Balthier\/Ashe, so if you could avoid that pairing, it would be much appreciated.


Fandom 3:<\/b> Highlander
Character:<\/b> Methos

Okay, I'll be honest - I kept watching Highlander for Methos. He's absolutely fascinating, and despite his protests of being \"just a guy\" I always wondered what kind of man manages to survive for 5000 years. For someone who seemed so innocuous, I've always thought he had the capacity to be profoundly dangerous. I'd welcome pretty much anything about him, although I'd prefer something set close to the series' present-day rather than entirely historical. I loved watching Methos swan about the 20th century proving his adaptability. His interactions with Joe were always a highlight and more about how those two work together and play off of each other would be amazing. I don't object to slash, and I don't hate Duncan so feel free to let the title character play along. And if you have a way of explaining why Methos was so taken with Duncan (besides the fact that he looks very good shirtless) that would be awesome, because I never was able to figure that part out. XD<\/a>


Thanks again, Mystery Author! I can't wait to read whatever you write. :)"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:24101","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/24101.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=24101"}}],"title":"[Musketeers] FIC: No Such Thing","published":"2014-03-15T21:51:36Z","updated":"2014-03-15T22:54:31Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"musketeers"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> No Such Thing
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Gen
Rating:<\/b> G
Word Count:<\/b> ~800
Warnings:<\/b> Crack. Animal Transformation.
Summary:<\/b> When he'd joined the musketeers, Athos had been prepared for danger. He hadn't been prepared for this<\/i>.

Notes:<\/b> The lovely Lynndyre<\/a> and I have been trading squee and fic plotting for The Musketeers<\/i>, tremendous fun in and of itself. But then she went and said this: \"You called him grumpy cat Athos, and now all I can see is this round fluffy greyish brown ball of grump, with a short fat tail and little furry moustache\/beard, and his ears perpetually sideways at the world. XD (Porthos is a huge chocolatey ragdoll cross, able to out-strut basically anything and also to occupy the entirety of a given surface, and Aramis a brown tabby with a long-haired tail, like a plume. Aramis can make the puss-in-boots face.)\" My reaction can best be summed up by, \"CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.\" She supplied the (wonderful!) embedded art. You have been warned. :D


No Such Thing<\/b>

\"There is no such thing as 'just a cat'.\" ~ Robert A. Heinlein


\u201cThis. This<\/i> is why magic is forbidden by the Church.\u201d Athos\u2019 ears flattened back along the curve of his skull, stubby tail lashing irritably behind him.

\u201cSince when do you care about Church doctrine?\u201d Aramis asked, winding himself happily around every convenient furniture leg.

\u201cSince when are you<\/i> so unconcerned with the practice of witchcraft<\/i>?\u201d

Both of them glanced up at Porthos\u2019 bland, \u201cSince it could be worse,\u201d but all they could see of him was tufts of dark fur spilling over the edges of the chair upon which he sprawled.

Fine for them to say. Porthos was still a hulking brute, and Aramis hadn\u2019t lost a bit of his usual grace, even if the vain idiot enchanted himself every time he caught sight of his ridiculous plume of a tail. Athos had avoided any extensive self-examination but he knew he was small. And scruffy. And a cat<\/i>.


\"<\/a>
<\/center>

\u201cI feel as though you two are failing to accord this situation an appropriate level of gravity.\u201d

\u201cI feel as though you\u2019re failing to cope with the situation because cats don\u2019t drink wine,\u201d said Porthos, peering down at them from the chair.

\u201cTo be fair, it\u2019s not that cats don\u2019t drink wine so much as cats can\u2019t pour<\/i> wine,\u201d Aramis offered, going momentarily still before he sprang from the floor to the top of the table in an effortless leap. \u201cLet me see if d\u2019Artagnan has a bottle handy. If I knock it over, perhaps you can lap it up?\u201d

It was likely for the best that both of them had opted for higher ground. If either of them had been within reach of his han - paws<\/i> - then Athos would have boxed his ears until he was hearing cathedral bells.

\u201cBest hurry with the wine, Aramis. He\u2019s looking grumpier by the second.\u201d

Fortunately, the door slammed open and spared Athos from having to formulate a response.

\u201cFinally!\u201d

\u201cTook him long enough.\u201d

D\u2019Artagnan, already wide-eyed and flustered, nearly tripped over his own feet at the sight of them.

\u201cOh hello. What are you doing in here? How did you even get<\/i> in here?\u201d he asked, blinking inanely at what must have seemed to be an invasion of felines.

\u201cD\u2019Artagnan?\u201d Athos tried, rising to his feet. \u201cCan you-\u201d

\u201cNever mind,\u201d d\u2019Artagnan spoke over him. \u201cYou can\u2019t be in here. Constance will kill me herself if she thinks I\u2019m keeping strays.\u201d

Aramis bristled at that. \u201cStrays? We\u2019re not strays<\/i>! Do I look like a stray to you?\u201d

\u201cAramis,\u201d sighed Athos, giving up and slouching back into an untidy heap on the stone floor. \u201cPriorities, please.\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019re gorgeous,\u201d Porthos reassured him, batting a lazy paw at the tail tip that swished past.

\u201cPlease be quiet,\u201d d\u2019Artagnan begged, waving his hands in a hasty plea to silence Aramis\u2019 indignant yowl. \u201cPlease<\/i>. I\u2019ve got trouble enough at the moment, the last<\/i> thing I need is to be thrown out.\u201d

He scooped a startled Aramis right off of the table and tucked him into the crook of his arm, stroking him soothingly. It had the no-doubt intended effect of hushing him, as Aramis was almost immediately reduced to limp, purring bliss.

\u201cFarm boy has good hands,\u201d he managed between rumbles.

\u201cI\u2019m going to tell him you said so after we\u2019re back to ourselves,\u201d Porthos promised gleefully.

Athos interrupted before they could get to the inevitable jokes about making Aramis purr. \u201cIf we could return to the problem at hand?\u201d he said loudly, lifting and stretching a paw in illustration.

D\u2019Artagnan startled a bit, before grinning down at Aramis, still slack and happy in his arms. \u201cOkay, enough apologies for you.\u201d

He walked over to the window and propped it open with one hand, lifting Aramis to the windowsill. \u201cTime for you to go.\u201d

Aramis looked from d\u2019Artagnan to the open window and back, before settling to a definitive seat on the sill.

\u201cOh, come on! Off with you. All of you,\u201d he added, looking over his shoulder at Porthos on the chair and Athos on the floor. \u201cMy friends are missing. I don\u2019t have time to be indulging you.\u201d

\u201cAnd you said he\u2019d be able to help us,\u201d Porthos grumbled.

\u201cI said he was our best chance at getting help,\u201d Athos corrected, scowling up at d\u2019Artagnan. \u201cSince he was right there<\/i> when it happened.\u201d

\u201cIt\u2019s strange, though,\u201d d\u2019Artagnan muttered, oblivious to their conversation. \u201cYou truly do put me in mind of\u2026\u201d His brow furrowed in thought as he stared down at Athos.

The unlikely truth appeared to hit him a moment later, and his eyes widened in shock as he gaped at him. \u201cAthos?<\/i>\u201d

It was small consolation that Aramis laughed so hard that he knocked himself clear to the floor but Athos enjoyed the petty satisfaction.

FIN<\/b><\/a>


Do yourselves a favour and go check out the rest of Lynndyre<\/a>'s awesome art over here<\/a>. It's brillant! :D (Fic snippets are pending.)"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:23869","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/23869.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=23869"}}],"title":"[Musketeers] FIC: Intercession","published":"2014-03-13T20:30:33Z","updated":"2014-03-13T20:30:33Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"musketeers"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> Intercession
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Gen
Rating:<\/b> G
Word Count:<\/b> ~1000
Warnings:<\/b> None
Summary:<\/b> Aramis didn't need to be a priest to have faith - in fact, he had enough to share.


Intercession<\/b>

In Porthos\u2019 first year with the Musketeers, influenza swept through Paris. Though he\u2019d been fortunate in years past, his improved circumstances were no protection against illness. It came on suddenly, leaving him wracked with chills and sapped of all his strength. He lost a day to feverish sleep, waking to croak a warning when there came a knock at his door - his newest sword-brother, Aramis, come to investigate his absence.

Strange, how much smaller and colder the room felt after Aramis called an acknowledgement through the door, when the sound of his footsteps faded away. Porthos curled tighter into his blankets, every muscle an aching misery, and tried not to think about nights pressed close to warm bodies in the squalor he\u2019d left at the first opportunity.

The sound of the door creaking open startled him back to wakefulness, and he watched in confusion as Aramis awkwardly pushed the door closed, arms laden with bundles and blankets and bowls. Aramis cheerfully ignored all of Porthos\u2019 questions, busying himself with stoking the fire and setting tea to steep. He paid not a whit of attention to Porthos\u2019 protests, simply tossed an extra blanket on the bed, badgered Porthos out of his sweat-stained shirt and spread a foul-smelling ointment across his chest. Before Porthos quite understood what had happened, he\u2019d been helped back into bed and warm tea had been pressed into his hand, easing the burn of his raw throat.

Aramis further did him the great favour of politely pretending not to notice the wetness in Porthos\u2019 eyes and the ragged hitch to his breath at the small kindnesses.

Porthos never would remember much of the next few days, the memories irretrievably blurred by fever. What he never forgot was that he was never alone, and the ordeal of his illness was much eased by the touch of caring hands smoothing the sweat from his skin and the steady sound of a voice at his side though the worst of it all.

(Prayer had never been a refuge for Porthos, but now there was comfort in hearing the words from the man who had first made them mean something more than empty preaching.)

**

\u201cThought you left the Church,\u201d Athos rasped.

Seated at his bedside, Aramis looked up at the unexpected interruption, smiling when he saw Athos awake and watching him. \u201cI did. That doesn\u2019t mean I turned my back on God.\u201d

\u201cAnd what has God done for any of us lately?\u201d Athos\u2019 condescension lacked its usual force, badly undermined by weakness of his voice.

Even the best swordsman could be felled by chance, and Athos\u2019 luck had run out when a patch of rain-saturated earth turned to liquid under his heel. His desperate counter had knocked his opponent\u2019s blade away before it could pierce his chest but he\u2019d been too far off balance to block the man\u2019s main gauche.

Aramis\u2019 smile broadened, erasing some of the strain from his expression. \u201cYou\u2019re still alive, aren\u2019t you? That\u2019s all I\u2019m asking for right now.\u201d

Athos snorted and closed his eyes, colour fading even further from his cheeks as the effort of speaking exhausted him. \u201cDon\u2019t waste your breath.\u201d

\u201cPrayers that you might keep breathing will never be a waste,\u201d Aramis told him, curling one hand lightly around Athos\u2019 limp, chilled fingers and the other around his crucifix.

(Much later, Athos would explain that of course he hadn\u2019t died<\/i>, he\u2019d barely been able to sleep<\/i> with all of the noise Aramis was making.)

**

Aramis found him at the Bonacieux home the day after they\u2019d secured Athos\u2019 release, packing his things. \u201cTaking a trip?\u201d

D\u2019Artagnan nodded, swallowing hard. \u201cI have to carry word to my mother.\u201d

\u201cAmong other things.\u201d The sympathy in Aramis\u2019 eyes made it impossible to look at him. \u201cWill you be back?\u201d

\u201cBack?\u201d D\u2019Artagnan nearly fumbled the shirt he was trying to fold into his bag. \u201cI - I suppose I hadn\u2019t thought it through.\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019d be welcome,\u201d Aramis assured him. \u201cAny one of us would sponsor you into the Musketeers, though I expect Treville will make you work for it regardless. A commission requires a minimum of proven experience, which you haven\u2019t got yet.\u201d

D\u2019Artagnan sat down on the edge of the bed, waving an invitation to Aramis. \u201cYou know, I think I\u2019d like that.\u201d

Aramis grinned at him as he sat. \u201cGood. I\u2019ll tell the others. Unless you\u2019d like to stop in?\u201d

D\u2019Artagnan shook his head. \u201cI have to get started on my way.\u201d And he\u2019d never forgive himself if he broke down crying in front of them.

Aramis gave him a long look, idly spinning his hat. \u201cYour father. He must have been a good man.\u201d

Pride be damned, both the implied compliment and respect left D\u2019Artagnan\u2019s eyes stinging. \u201cThe best,\u201d he managed through a throat that felt entirely too tight.

Aramis leaned forward and laid one hand on the hand d\u2019Artagnan had clenched into a tight fist on his thigh. \u201cBlessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted.\u201d

(For all the entertainment Aramis would go on to find at d\u2019Artagnan\u2019s expense, neither of them ever spoke again of the occasion he spent murmuring a litany of sympathy as d\u2019Artagnan lost the struggle against his tears.)

**

He\u2019d been able to slip away in the pomp of the Duke\u2019s departure, escaping to his rooms to dodge his fellow musketeers\u2019 curiosity. He should have known that his retreat wouldn\u2019t spare him their<\/i> attention.

Porthos arrived first, walking straight into his rooms and remaining utterly deaf to all of Aramis\u2019 half-hearted protests. At least he\u2019d brought wine. D\u2019Artagnan was next, appearing in the doorway as they opened a fresh bottle. He sat down at the table, and silently poured himself a glass. Aramis was half-expecting Athos as well, but somehow it was still a surprise when the man slid into the chair at his right.

Athos cleared his throat, long after they\u2019d finished the wine, and the silence had grown thick and heavy. \u201cI\u2019m afraid you\u2019ll have to get us started. We\u2019ve all forgotten the words.\u201d

(His memory flowed as smoothly as ever but Aramis\u2019 voice broke over the words and he clung tightly to the hands that held his as he bent his head in prayer for his friends, those now lost and those without whom he would be lost.)

FIN<\/b><\/a>


Another response to the DW kinkmeme. :)"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:23586","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/23586.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=23586"}}],"title":"[Musketeers] FIC: Unsteady is the Ground","published":"2014-03-09T02:49:22Z","updated":"2014-03-09T02:49:22Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"musketeers"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> Unsteady is the Ground
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Gen
Rating:<\/b> PG
Word Count:<\/b> ~3200
Warnings:<\/b> No worse than canon
Summary:<\/b> Five times someone fainted.
Notes:<\/b> Written in response to a prompt over at the kink meme over on Dreamwidth. Because the new series over on BBC has me swooning over swashbucklers again.


Unsteady is the Ground<\/b>


ONE<\/b>

It had taken Porthos years to work his way out of the gutter in which he\u2019d grown up, to earn himself a place in the musketeers. He generally considered it time and effort well spent, but some occasions left him wondering why he\u2019d bothered to set foot outside of the Court of Miracles. Standing at attention in full uniform for hours under the broiling midday sun while visiting nobility traded barbed words with the king somehow didn\u2019t seem like all that much of an improvement. The Court had had its own share of heat and flies, but at least there, he\u2019d never been this bored<\/i>.

It sometimes seemed that the company had been better at the Court as well. Porthos slid a glance to his left to where Athos stood, as indifferent as always. Opinion was split on whether the man had ice water or cheap wine running through his veins, but as little as the heat affected him Porthos was beginning to weigh his bets towards the former. Why Treville seemed to think they\u2019d work well together Porthos had never figured out, but at least the captain had done him the favour of assigning Aramis to Athos as well. Even more newly arrived to the musketeers than Porthos, Aramis was as outgoing as Athos was withdrawn and made for a hell of an entertaining companion. Porthos was confident that between the two of them, they\u2019d either wear down Athos\u2019 reserve or break the man\u2019s mind.

It was almost a shame that Aramis was standing at Porthos\u2019 right shoulder; that little smirk of his was enough to drive a saint to madness, and Athos was no saint. Knowing Aramis, he was busy entertaining himself with more pleasant memories of heat and stickiness. You couldn\u2019t discipline a man for smiling on parade, but watching Athos find an excuse to try would have at least been some<\/i> entertainment.

A thump and clatter drew everyone\u2019s attention to the row of the cardinal\u2019s guards lining the walkway beside the carriage. Apparently one of their number had found the parade conditions unendurable and had simply wilted, toppling over in a dead faint as his stupefied fellows blinked down at him. A murmur rustled through the gathered nobility, ladies hiding amusement behind hands lifted in affected concern while gentlemen alternately offered excuses and mockery. Porthos smothered a smile of his own, willing to bet that the hectic flush on the cardinal\u2019s cheeks had nothing to do with the smothering heat as he ordered his man taken away.

\u201cWell, I suppose that\u2019s one way to enliven the proceedings.\u201d Athos\u2019 comment was barely audible and dry as dust.

Porthos swallowed a snort of laughter and shot a disbelieving look at Athos, who gave him a minute but unapologetic shrug in return. Well, well, well. Perhaps not<\/i> so lost a cause as Porthos had thought, then. At his right, Aramis had finally assumed an appropriately sober air but his eyes were bright and his shoulders trembled with suppressed hilarity.

Fortunately for them all, a welcome breeze finally began to stir the heavy air, rustling their cloaks and covering a multitude of sins as the assembled musketeers stood proud and watched the scrambling ruin of the Red Guards\u2019 formation.


TWO<\/b>

Athos eased open the door to the sickroom, hoping to avoid disturbing its occupant. He swore bitterly when a quick look around the sparsely furnished room told him that his caution had been unnecessary. The covers were flung back on the empty bed, and Aramis was gone. Again.

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me,\u201d Porthos grumbled from behind him.

Athos didn\u2019t bother to confirm the obvious; Porthos was already muttering a few choice words of his own as he shouldered past Athos into the deserted room.

\u201cYou go that way.\u201d Athos pointed down the corridor, pausing only long enough to drop a roll of bandages on the utilitarian table in the corner. \u201cI\u2019ll take this one. We\u2019ll meet in the courtyard. He can\u2019t have gotten far.\u201d

\u201cWouldn\u2019t bet on it.\u201d Porthos\u2019 smile held little humour as he laid a tray of food down on the table. \u201cHe\u2019s not even supposed to be awake, forget out for an evening stroll.\u201d

\u201cAll the more reason to retrieve him before he finds his way into any more trouble.\u201d Aramis had seen quite enough trouble already in recent days, and he wasn\u2019t clear of it yet.

Aramis had survived the attack at Savoy - and Athos would not<\/i> let himself dwell on the unlikeliness of that small miracle, nor think too long on the man\u2019s still-fragile health - but he\u2019d been days in the woods, suffering from the cold and his barely-treated wounds. He was ailing still, disoriented and feverish more days than not, just well enough to provide a challenge to his keepers. It would be far easier to see him back to health if the fool would consent to take - or accept - sufficient care to regain some semblance of strength. Sleeping the night through instead of dragging himself from his sickbed to wander the halls would, in fact, have been a fine place to start.

All the same, Athos wasn\u2019t terribly surprised to find that Aramis had indeed defied all common sense and reasonable predictions by making his way as far as the courtyard. Nor to see that the man hadn\u2019t done anything as sensible as put on a coat before venturing out into the winter night. Porthos was going to have kittens if he saw him standing there in his shirtsleeves, face tipped up to watch the falling snow.

\u201cAramis,\u201d Athos called softly as he approached, wary of startling him. It didn\u2019t do to surprise a man with Aramis\u2019 reflexes; him being half out of his head just made it more dangerous.

Aramis started at the sound, swivelling his head to see who\u2019d called for him. His brow furrowed in confusion, eyes sweeping side to side as he visibly struggled to recollect himself.

\u201cAthos.\u201d His name on Aramis\u2019 lips was an exhalation of pure relief. The way that he relaxed into Athos\u2019 steadying grip on his shoulders was terrifying; no one should have such trust that Athos<\/i>, of all people, would help him. Athos steeled himself and set his feet as Aramis pressed closer, leaning into his chest with a weary sigh.

Unworthy of such faith Athos might be, but for tonight, he\u2019d let them both pretend otherwise.

\u201cCome on, let\u2019s get you back to bed,\u201d he said.

Aramis muttered an incoherent protest into his neck, but he was sagging more heavily against Athos with every passing second. Athos just sighed and looped an arm around his waist as his knees buckled.

Porthos stormed into the courtyard as the last of Aramis\u2019 strength drained away, cursing in mingled relief and frustration as he hurried to Athos\u2019 side to take a share of Aramis\u2019 weight. It proved to be more difficult a task than anticipated. For a man performing a very convincing imitation of an unconscious invalid, Aramis had an unshakable grip on each of their coats and could not be convinced to let go. They were eventually able to sling him awkwardly between them and stumbled their way back. He became more compliant in the warmth of his room, allowing himself to be peeled away and bundled back into his bed.

\u201cI\u2019ve had about enough of this,\u201d Porthos said, scowling as they watched Aramis settle into an uneasy sleep.

Athos nodded agreement, not mistaking for a moment that Porthos\u2019 complaint had anything to do with the work of getting Aramis healthy again.

\u201cI'll speak to Treville,\u201d he promised. Aramis did better with one or both of them near; the captain could be made to understand.

He'd been meaning to have a conversation with Treville in any case. They all did better together than apart. He would make certain their captain remembered that, when next the time came to assign their duties.


THREE<\/b>

The day\u2019s fighting was done, and Porthos didn\u2019t know where Athos and Aramis were. He struggled against the hands that held him down, ignoring both the spluttered curses over his head and the wetness trickling away from the tearing pain in his side. They weren\u2019t important. The only thing that mattered now was that battle was over and he didn\u2019t know where his brothers were<\/i>. He was gathering himself for another effort when a much-missed voice cut through the buzzing in his ears.

\u201cGod above, Porthos! Stop thrashing around before you hurt someone worse than you already are!\u201d

\u201cAramis,\u201d he choked out, blindly reaching for him.

Porthos forced his eyes open as a familiar hand clasped his, squinting against the brightness of the sky to force the blurry face leaning over him into clarity. Aramis was as much of a mess as Porthos had ever seen him - uniform dirty and scuffed, while his hair hung sweaty and tangled in his face - but he seemed fine otherwise, and he was moving easily as he knelt beside Porthos.

\u201cAthos?\u201d Porthos demanded, reluctantly obeying the press of Aramis\u2019 hand on his shoulder and lying still.

\u201cIs doing far better than you.\u201d The response was delivered with only a fraction of Aramis\u2019 attention, he being obviously more occupied with assessing Porthos\u2019 condition.

Pain and lightheadedness aside, it was a relief to see Aramis' concern lighten as his expression warmed into something true. If Aramis could smile like that, then Porthos was going to be all right.

\u201cHe\u2019ll be along any moment now, I imagine,\u201d Aramis continued. \u201cWe\u2019ve been looking for you. In the meantime, maybe we could do something about this rather impressive hole in your side?\u201d

\u201cYou?\u201d Porthos hoped so. Aramis was a thousand times gentler in his ministrations than whoever had been jabbing at Porthos' wound before his arrival.

\u201cOf course,\u201d Aramis answered matter-of-factly, but he gently squeezed the hand he still held. \u201cI know how fond you are of my needlework.\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019ll want to be careful with that one,\u201d an indistinct shape standing at Porthos\u2019 other side advised. \u201cHe fought all our attempts to help.\u201d

\u201cLeave him to us. We\u2019ve devised a means of ensuring his cooperation.\u201d

Porthos slitted his eyes open again to verify the evidence of his ears. Good. Athos was<\/i> here, looking as disordered as Aramis but equally hale.

\u201cYou\u2019re just in time,\u201d Aramis said cheerfully, and Porthos closed his eyes again, the sound of their voices growing ever more distant. Now that he\u2019d seen them both safe, Porthos could let himself be taken care of.

The last thing he heard was Athos\u2019 cool amusement: \u201cIt seems you might not need my help preparing the patient after all.\u201d


FOUR<\/b>

Athos was mildly surprised when Aramis and Porthos brought the boy with them as they made their way to the tavern after his narrowly-avoided execution, regardless of the early hour. He\u2019d been impressive enough with a sword when they\u2019d fought yesterday; he must have done something during the course of their efforts to free him to earn Aramis and Porthos\u2019 approval. Athos would have to remember to ask for details tomorrow, since it seemed they were in no hurry to send the boy on his way back to Gascony. Today, his plans involved communion with nothing other than a wine bottle.

Aramis and Porthos knew better than to interfere when Athos walked past them to the bar, made no effort to stop him from settling alone at a small table by the fireplace. He had enough consideration to stay within their line of sight but that was the limit of his thoughtfulness. He was dimly grateful that Aramis had kept the boy from completing any of his attempts to speak with Athos, knowing that he was beyond civil conversation at the moment. He knew they\u2019d heard his gratitude for their timely intervention earlier today, and he trusted they\u2019d forgive his need to get thoroughly, unrepentantly drunk. Surely, any man would be understandably shaken by his brush with execution.

Aramis was the first to depart, some hours later, no doubt on his way to continue his ill-advised affair with the Cardinal\u2019s mistress. Athos nodded an acknowledgement as Aramis bid him farewell, tipping his hat and flashing him a smile as he made his way to the exit. Behind him, Porthos had apparently decided to continue the boy\u2019s education by way of teaching him about the risks of gambling. Athos hoped he\u2019d cheat with a bit more finesse this time. If the boy caught him at it, he was likely to challenge him to another duel and start yesterday morning\u2019s mess all over again.

Athos scowled and eyed the level of wine left in his latest bottle. If he were sober enough to be entertaining such thoughts, then clearly he hadn\u2019t yet had enough to drink. He caught his glass in a tight grip and set about remedying the problem.

By the time that Porthos was leaning over him, shaking his shoulder, Athos had passed the point of seeing straight. Clear thought had mercifully become a thing of hours and bottles past. Porthos\u2019 voice was mere muffled noise in his ear; the familiar hands that levered him upright were nothing more than an irritating inconvenience he couldn\u2019t muster the strength to protest. Well, if Porthos were so damn determined to see him elsewhere, he could do the work of carrying him there. It was a well-worn routine by now, anyhow.

Athos had many secrets, most of them so closely guarded that he never spoke of them, even to those he most trusted. Aramis and Porthos had no idea who he\u2019d been or why he\u2019d left, and Athos never volunteered the information. His family, his failures, they had no part of his life as a musketeer. By contrast, the secrets he\u2019d acquired since accepting his commission from Treville had all been shared, part of a camaraderie upon which he\u2019d come to profoundly depend. All except his newest secret, his latest shame, the reason that he\u2019d abandoned his companions for the comfort of the bottle.

Aramis and Porthos tolerated so much from him, but even they had limits. Aramis had kept the boy from pestering him, and Porthos had stayed behind to get him safely home, but neither of them could ever know why he\u2019d set about drinking with such determination. They\u2019d gone to such lengths to save his life, they would never understand the sharp dismay that had gone through Athos at the reprieve. He didn\u2019t struggle as Porthos dragged him through the streets and into his room, eventually dropping him heavily onto his bed. Athos welcomed the stillness of the pillow under his spinning head, gratefully letting the alcohol drag him down into darkness. With any luck, the morning\u2019s hangover would eclipse the sick disappointment he\u2019d felt at realizing he\u2019d have to keep living with all of his regrets.


FIVE<\/b>

\u201cYou could help, you know,\u201d d\u2019Artagnan said through gritted teeth.

\u201cBut you have the matter so well in hand!\u201d Aramis said, the polite praise in no way masking the amusement he was enjoying at d\u2019Artagnan\u2019s expense.

Porthos wasn\u2019t even bothering with the pretense, laughing outright as d\u2019Artagnan awkwardly embraced his armful of swooning middle-aged noblewoman. The boy was practically lost in a flurry of embroidery and petticoats.

A couple of servants were fluttering anxiously around d\u2019Artagnan, cooing over their \u201cpoor mistress\u201d, but Porthos was sure he wasn\u2019t imagining the smiles tugging at the corner of their mouths. And he was certain that the cheeky one with the blonde curls didn\u2019t really need<\/i> to be patting so carefully at d\u2019Artagnan\u2019s backside, but his stammering and blushing was entertaining enough to excuse the liberty. Probably one of the few joys of the poor girl\u2019s job.

\u201cYou ruffian!\u201d a voice suddenly demanded. \u201cWhat are you doing to my wife?!\u201d

Almost dropping her, if Porthos was any judge of the sudden laxness of d\u2019Artagnan\u2019s shoulders, followed by a hasty grab as the lady threatened to slither out of his arms altogether.

\u201cYour pardon, sir,\u201d Athos interjected smoothly, breaking his silence as the angry nobleman sputtered and reached for his sword. \u201cOur young friend was merely rendering aid to your lady wife after she was accosted by thieves. She was quite overcome by the experience.\u201d

The offended husband paused, taking in the sight of three musketeers standing in support of the \u201cruffian\u201d, as his wife\u2019s servants quickly chimed confirmation of Athos\u2019 assertion.

\u201cI see,\u201d he finally conceded. \u201cThen I thank you for your efforts, young man.\u201d

\u201cIt was nothing, sir,\u201d d\u2019Artagnan managed as the ladies surrounding him abruptly stopped hovering helplessly and neatly tipped their mistress out of his arms and into their own, hastening to their master\u2019s side with their burden. \u201cIt was only what any gentleman would do.\u201d

\u201cStill, accept this gesture of my gratitude,\u201d the nobleman insisted, tossing a purse over to him before taking charge of his colourful entourage and bustling away.

Well now, that was a grateful gesture indeed. The man must be feeling guilty for his accusation; the purse had clinked promisingly as d\u2019Artagnan caught it.

Athos pointedly raised an eyebrow as d\u2019Artagnan stood in the middle of the street, blinking in confusion. \u201cLet that be a lesson in the risks of interfering.\u201d

D\u2019Artagnan nodded fervently. \u201cNext time I just let the thief get away with his prize.\u201d

Good. Regardless of the subsequent trouble, that had been one of the most beautiful lifts Porthos had ever seen; the thief had deserved to get away. \u201cNot as if they couldn\u2019t spare it.\u201d

\u201cAt least you earned a pretty little profit for your spot of heroism,\u201d Aramis consoled him, wrapping an arm around d\u2019Artagnan\u2019s shoulders as they resumed their progress across town.

\u201cTrue.\u201d D\u2019Artagnan brightened, flush finally fading as the embarrassment subsided.

Athos rolled his eyes as Aramis and Porthos exchanged a look full of wicked anticipation. D\u2019Artagnan clearly thought the worst of his trouble was over, which was awfully short-sighted of him. Porthos was glad they\u2019d been on the way to d\u2019Artagnan\u2019s lodgings, otherwise he\u2019d have had to find an excuse to follow him home. He didn\u2019t want to miss Mme. Bonacieux\u2019s reaction to her lodger walking in smelling of expensive perfume, holding a brocaded purse full of coin.


+ ONE time everyone stayed on their feet<\/b>

Athos was looking for his next opponent, even as the corpse of his last fell at his feet. He found none. D\u2019Artagnan was pushing a body off of his sword a few paces away. Porthos was chuckling somewhere behind them, dusting his hands off with unmistakable satisfaction. The crack of musket fire brought all of their heads around to see Aramis lowering his weapon as his shot knocked the last of their attackers out of his saddle, ending his attempt to flee.

\u201cWell, that was a pleasant enough diversion,\u201d he remarked as he strolled back to them.

It could easily have been a deadly diversion, were they men of any lesser skill. Athos kicked at the body in front of him, idly examining the familiar face as it lolled towards him. If Richelieu were trying to act with subtlety, he\u2019d be better off not sending his own guardsmen after them.

\u201cIt would appear that the Cardinal is determined to see we don\u2019t reach our destination,\u201d he told the others, sheathing his sword.

\u201cHe won\u2019t succeed,\u201d d\u2019Artagnan swore with all the faith and fervour of the very young.

Porthos clapped a companionable hand to his shoulder. \u201cCourse he won\u2019t.\u201d

Aramis contented himself with a nod of agreement, though he laid a hand over his heart (or the gold crucifix tucked safely under his coat) in silent promise.

\u201cThen we\u2019d best be moving,\u201d Athos said. \u201cTime and tide will wait for no man or mission. Get on your horses and we\u2019ll be on our way.\u201d

FIN<\/b><\/a>


As expected, the series is neither faithful to the novels nor historically accurate but I am enjoying it nonetheless. :)"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:23375","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/23375.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=23375"}}],"title":"[SPN] FIC: The Highest Vision of the Soul","published":"2013-09-21T17:31:50Z","updated":"2013-09-21T21:13:13Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"supernatural"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> The Highest Vision of the Soul
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> hinted Dean\/Gabriel
Rating:<\/b> R
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 8000
Warnings:<\/b> Canon character death, lots of swearing, mention of adult situations
Summary:<\/b> Dean was no stranger to regrets, but he'd never expected to have this much trouble accepting the death of an irreverent, absentee archangel. Then again, it\u2019d be a lot easier if he didn\u2019t keep tripping over reminders of Gabriel all the freaking time. Or if he could stop dreaming about him.

Notes:<\/b> Written for the 2013 Round of the Debriel Minibang over at <\/a>debriel_mini<\/b><\/a><\/span>. Infinite thanks to <\/a>seryan<\/b><\/a><\/span> for listening to me work out the plot and doing beta duty and also to <\/a>weekendship<\/b><\/a><\/span> for the incredible<\/i> accompanying artwork. Go check out the art masterpost HERE<\/a> and tell <\/a>weekendship<\/b><\/a><\/span> how amazing it is.

<\/center>


The Highest Vision of the Soul<\/b>


Waking up in his car was nothing new for Dean. Hell, there\u2019d been a time when he slept in the car more often than anywhere else. Even nowadays, napping behind the wheel in a hotel parking lot wasn\u2019t all that unusual, depending on how badly he and Sam had been grating on each others\u2019 nerves the previous night. But waking up in this<\/i> hotel parking lot... Dean squinted at the blue glow streaming through the windshield and swore, hand clenching tightly on the wheel. He remembered the shine of that blue sign on wet pavement, and they\u2019d put it as far behind them as possible before stopping.

So much for being awake. Even if the place hadn\u2019t been enough of a clue, the archangel in the back seat would have been a dead \u2015 ha<\/i> \u2015 giveaway.

\u201cI approve of your taste in entertainment,\u201d Gabriel said, casually examining a familiar DVD case.

Dean snorted. \u201cDon\u2019t get too smug. We didn\u2019t get past the first five minutes.\u201d

\u201cWe?<\/i>\u201d Gabriel\u2019s eyes widened in mock-surprise, and he fanned himself with the plastic case. \u201cKinky! You know, for all the rumours about you two, I didn\u2019t actually expect the whole \u2018family that works together, jerks togethe\u2015\u2019\u201d

\u201cNot like that<\/i>!\u201d Dean reached an arm over the seat to grab the DVD out of Gabriel\u2019s hands. \u201cShit, and you call us<\/i> kinky. Sam nearly broke the computer, he slammed it shut so hard at the sight of you \u2018lying down\u2019.\u201d

Gabriel shook his head in exaggerated disappointment. \u201cThat\u2019s one of your many, many<\/i> problems, Winchester. No appreciation for art.\u201d

\u201cYeah? Well, I\u2019ve got this other problem,\u201d Dean said, holding a hand up to the level of his nose. \u201cAbout this high, big mouth, awful sense of humour, maybe you\u2019ve seen him around?\u201d

Dean wouldn\u2019t be seeing him again, not outside of his fucked up dreams. Not after Gabriel had gone and gotten himself killed at Dean\u2019s insistence.

Dean scowled and slouched deeper into his seat, refusing to squirm at the uncomfortable twist of guilt in his gut. \u201cThe fuck were you doing listening to me, anyway?\u201d

There was a soft huff of laughter from behind him. \u201cSeemed like the thing to do at the time. In retrospect, not<\/i> my smartest idea ever.\u201d

\u201cNot really, no. I was expecting something that ended in a little less death.\u201d

\u201cCan\u2019t win them all, Dean.\u201d The seat creaked as Gabriel moved, and the back of Dean\u2019s seat dipped as Gabriel hooked an elbow over it and propped his chin on his wrist. \u201cStill, not a bad way to go out, I guess.\u201d

Dean let his head roll to the side and found himself staring almost directly into Gabriel\u2019s eyes, surprisingly bright in the dimness. \u201cNah, not a bad way to go. Better than most.\u201d

Dean didn\u2019t know where angels went when they died, but wherever it was, he hoped Gabriel really was smiling like that over saving the Winchesters\u2019 asses.


* * *<\/center>

And then, somehow, the world didn\u2019t end.

Dean didn\u2019t know how; he never could remember what had happened at the cemetery that day. It hurt<\/i> every time he tried, a tight, hot ache that made his brain feel scorched. That didn\u2019t keep him from prodding his reluctant memory until the day Cas found him sitting at Bobby\u2019s kitchen table, holding a cold beer to his temple.

\u201cI don\u2019t understand why you persist in doing this to yourself,\u201d Cas said, frowning as he plucked the bottle out of Dean\u2019s hand.

Dean let it go; it wasn\u2019t doing a damn thing to help, anyway. \u201cBecause I still don\u2019t know what the fuck happened.\u201d He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead with chilled fingers.

A quiet hiss at his shoulder told him that Cas had twisted the top off of the bottle, and he blindly waved a hand until he felt the cold press of glass against his palm.

\u201cIsn\u2019t what didn\u2019t<\/i> happen more important?\u201d Cas asked as Dean took a long drink from the bottle.

Dean shook his head. He\u2019d never been able to make sense of the broken flashes he remembered of that afternoon. Bursts of overpowering light and sound that wouldn\u2019t resolve in his head, smears of colour he couldn\u2019t name, noise like struck crystal and tearing metal. He didn\u2019t know what any of it meant<\/i>.

\u201cYeah, maybe if I had any idea what was going to happen next.\u201d

All he knew was that one minute, Michael and Lucifer had been squaring off in their respective Winchester meat suits and the next minute, it was apparently all over. Sam was alone in his skin. Cas was an angel again. Bobby was alive. Dean...well, Dean kind of felt like he\u2019d been electrocuted again, but he was still breathing and the world wasn\u2019t ending. There hadn\u2019t been anyone else in sight.

There wasn\u2019t any way of knowing if it was really over. If Heaven and Hell had actually hashed out the End of Days, shouldn\u2019t there be some sort of sign? Something more than just an empty graveyard and a quiet so oppressive that Dean could have practically heard his own heartbeat?

\u201cDean,\u201d Cas said and damn it, Dean was conditioned to shut up and listen when Cas put that kind of weight behind the sound of his name. \u201cI can\u2019t tell you what happened when Michael confronted Lucifer. The words I\u2019d need explain it to you don\u2019t exist. But what matters most is this: You and Sam \u2015 you succeeded. The forces of Heaven and Hell have withdrawn. Humanity is spared.\u201d

Cas had been promising him variations on that since the day Dean had piled the three of them into the car and hauled ass out of that cemetery. Dean was just having a little trouble believing<\/i> it.

\u201cSo what? That\u2019s it? Everything we tried, and all we needed to do was \u2015 what? Just show up? Two men and three angels walk into a cemetery and Armageddon is over?\u201d

Fuck. Saving the world as the punchline to the worst \u201cthree men walk into a bar\u201d joke Dean had ever heard.

\u201cThree men and two angels walked into that cemetery,\u201d Cas corrected. \u201cAnd against all odds and common sense...yes. That\u2019s all you needed to do.\u201d

Dean held that steady blue stare for a long few seconds, letting Cas\u2019 calm certainty seep into him. Dean had never been one for blind faith but trusting Cas...that, he knew how to do.

\u201cWell, fuck me,\u201d he finally said. \u201cIf we saved the world, why I am sitting here drinking alone?\u201d

\u201cMy question exactly.\u201d

\u201cWe should be celebrating!\u201d Dean tipped his head back and drained his beer, abandoning the empty bottle on the table as he stood. \u201cCome on, I know where Bobby hides the good stuff. He and Sam still down in the panic room?\u201d

\u201cAs of fifteen minutes ago, yes,\u201d Cas answered, automatically wrapping an arm around the four glasses Dean shoved at his chest.

\u201cSo we\u2019ll take the party to them,\u201d Dean said, slinging an arm around Cas\u2019 shoulders and steering him out of the kitchen. \u201cWe saved the world, Cas! That deserves a real<\/i> drink!\u201d

Screw angelic gravity. Dean figured that Cas\u2019 failure to shake him off and mild, \u201cPerhaps a bit of festivity is called for,\u201d meant that he agreed.


* * *<\/center>

So it turned out that stopping the Apocalypse played its own kind of hell on a guy\u2019s nerves. At first, Dean had been grateful for the break. Heaven and Hell had been sent back to their respective corners and left a nice lull in supernatural activity in their wake. It let Dean drag Sam and Bobby back to safety before collapsing into his own bed for a solid fourteen hours of sleep \u2015 and he was the lucky one. Bobby wasn\u2019t doing too badly but Sam was a mess.

They\u2019d known playing meatsuit to Lucifer wasn\u2019t going to be any fun. Prominently featured in the parade of nightmare images that had been playing through Dean\u2019s head since Sam had proposed his crazy idea was the memory of Raphael\u2019s host sitting in his hospital room, blasted into empty-eyed vacancy. Sam seemed to have come through Lucifer\u2019s possession reasonably intact \u2015 a fact for which Dean was beyond<\/i> grateful \u2015 but it\u2019d be weeks before he was really over it. Cas had been surprised that Sam wasn\u2019t dead or a drooling vegetable, but after checking him out had told Dean that he was sure Sam would be okay, though it would take some time to recover. That was fine by Dean; he\u2019d wait however long it took for Sam to get his head back together. Even if the waiting was driving him just a little bit crazy.

Dean had never been the type to enjoy sitting around. And okay, the waiting might be kind of getting to him, a little. Who could blame him? He\u2019d spent the last year plus careening from one catastrophe to the next, with the whole world hanging on the line. A man had the right to be a bit twitchy under those circumstances. But it was okay; Dean was fine<\/i>. He was handling it.

Except his attempts to keep from pressuring Sam by asking Bobby about his progress might have backfired.

\u201cOkay, that\u2019s enough.\u201d Bobby, caught in the act of retrieving dinner for Sam, glared fiercely at Dean and pointed at the kitchen table. \u201cSit your ass down, boy. We need to have us a little talk.\u201d

Dean ducked his head as he sank to an obedient seat at the table. \u201cAw, Bobby. A little talk is all I was trying to \u2015\u201d

\u201cShut up,\u201d Bobby ordered as he slumped into the chair across from Dean. \u201cI never said you<\/i> were going to get to talk.\u201d

Well, shit. Looked like Dean had pushed Bobby\u2019s patience as far as it would go and then some. He slouched into his seat and waited for the grumbling to start.

\u201cA couple of guys I know got in touch yesterday, told me about a town a day or two west of here with a little cat problem.\u201d

Dean raised an eyebrow at the unexpected venture into storytelling. \u201cSo? Tell them to call Animal Control.\u201d

\u201cWhat do you think I\u2019m doing?\u201d Ah, there<\/i> was the more familiar growl. \u201cPretty sure you got a badge for the Department of Fish and Game in that last batch we got made up for you boys.\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019re kidding, right?\u201d Dean stared at him in disbelief. \u201cDon\u2019t you think there are more important things to be worrying about right now than some nosy mountain lion?\u201d

\u201cWhat kind of mountain lion do you know that tears apart bee yards and knocks over telephone poles for fun?\u201d Bobby asked pointedly.

\u201cBee yards and telephone poles?\u201d Dean repeated as he reflexively ran through his mental checklist of monsters. \u201cFuck, a splinter cat? Really? I didn\u2019t think there were any of those left!\u201d

Bobby shrugged and gestured vaguely westwards. \u201cAt least one. Better go take a look while you still can.\u201d

\u201cThink I\u2019ll give that a pass.\u201d Dean shrugged in turn. \u201cGone this long without, right?\u201d

\u201cLet me rephrase that.\u201d Bobby sighed and scrubbed a hand over his eyes. \u201cGet out of here. Go shoot the damn cat. Work some of this nervous energy out of your system before I have to shoot you<\/i>.\u201d

\u201cI can\u2019t, Bobby. Sam \u2015\u201d

\u201cSam isn\u2019t going anywhere,\u201d Bobby interrupted. \u201cNot yet. I can keep an eye on him for you. We\u2019ll be all right. No reason you can\u2019t head out and take care of someone else\u2019s problem in the meantime. You\u2019re not doing anyone any favours by hanging around driving us all nuts. Take the angel with you if you want some company.\u201d

Okay, fine. Dean still didn\u2019t like leaving Sam but he could take a hint. Also, he wasn\u2019t entirely sure Bobby wouldn\u2019t actually<\/i> shoot him. He braved a few more minutes of conversation to get the details from Bobby about this job he\u2019d found to keep Dean occupied and then headed off to inventory his gear.

A few days later, he had to admit that Bobby had been right. Getting out had done him good. Dean hadn\u2019t exactly invited Cas along but he hadn\u2019t complained when Cas decided to drop in either. (Tracking down supernatural critters turned out to be a hell of a lot easier when you had an angel scouting for you.) Twice-daily phone calls assured him that Sam was still doing okay. And Dean really had missed this. Nursing a drink at the bar while shamelessly eavesdropping on the locals\u2019 conversations, Dean was riding the high of a successful hunt and feeling a lot more comfortable in his skin.

\u201cMaybe Jenkins\u2019 luck will turn around now?\u201d a uniformed deputy was saying as Dean shook off his moment of introspection and tuned back into the conversation at the table beside him. \u201cI mean, it\u2019s not like much more can go wrong for the guy, right?\u201d

Dean\u2019s attention sharpened at the mention of that name. Jenkins was the beekeeper whose hives had been destroyed by the splinter cat. Dean hadn\u2019t caught wind of any other supernatural threats around, so what the hell else was causing problems for Jenkins?

\u201cJesus, Tom, I hope not.\u201d His partner sighed and knocked back the last of his beer. \u201cHe\u2019s getting behind in payments again, and I\u2019m not looking forward to that repossession.\u201d

Tom laughed and slapped the table. \u201cThat\u2019s just \u2018cause you\u2019re scared of bees!\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019re damned right it is! But I\u2019m telling you now, the Sheriff can go deliver that order by his damn self.\u201d

Unfortunately for Dean\u2019s freshly roused curiosity, from there the deputies\u2019 conversation veered into bitching about their boss, but not for nothing had Dean buddied up to the barflies last night. Sure enough, all it took was a few beers on Dean\u2019s tab and an idle question to get his newest friends falling over themselves to tell Dean about what happened to their last mayor.

\u201c\u2015 they found him up at that no-tell motel at the south end of town. You must\u2019ve seen it when you drove in.\u201d Bert leaned in, lowering his voice to a wobbly slur.

Dean nodded encouragingly and suppressed his grin. He\u2019d seen it all right, a pink monstrosity of a motel, liberally accented with cheap gold paint and fake bees the size of footballs. He\u2019d actually stopped the car to take pictures for Sam. Even with the shitholes they\u2019d stayed in over the years, Dean figured he\u2019d need photographic evidence of this place. No way would Sam believe it if Dean claimed he\u2019d seen a pink-and-gold motel called The Honey Trap and not<\/i> gotten pictures.

Bert\u2019s barstool buddy was quick to chime in. \u201cWell, everyone knew he was running around on his wife with any woman that would have him.\u201d

\u201cOr any tourist dumb enough to fall for his lines.\u201d

\u201cYeah. So no one was surprised that he was there, y\u2019know? But he was dead<\/i>. They never did find the woman he was with, but they figured she couldn\u2019t have done it. Too weird, y\u2019know?\u201d

\u201cWeird?\u201d Dean asked, keeping his tone casually interested.

Burt nodded so enthusiastically he nearly knocked himself off of his stool. \u201cSee, the report said that it was some kind of allergic reaction, but Molly\u2019s one of the maids at the Trap, and she saw him before the Sheriff\u2019s boys carried him out, and she says he was covered in honey. They dripped it halfway across the parking lot!\u201d

Okay, so maybe it wasn\u2019t Dean\u2019s kind of weird after all. \u201cAll right, that\u2019s kind of kinky but I don\u2019t know that I\u2019d call it \u2015\u201d

\u201cNo!\u201d Bert\u2019s buddy interrupted. \u201cSee, we all thought it must be some kind of sex game gone wrong, maybe he choked on the honey or something. But Lou heard the doc talking to the Sheriff, and he<\/i> said that he practically drowned<\/i> in it! He had as much honey inside as out. And there isn\u2019t any man who\u2019d sit through that, no matter how hot the woman was, right?\u201d

\u201cTurned near the whole town off of honey for months. Jenkins nearly lost the business. Now this trouble with the crazy cougar. But at least he gets insurance this time.\u201d

Yeah, lucky Jenkins. Not so lucky mayor. Looked like Dean wasn\u2019t quite finished with this job after all.

Long practice made it easy enough to manufacture the expected reactions to their unusual story, and another round of drinks made for a quick topic change. Once their attention was focused back on their glasses, Dean slipped out for a bit more investigation.

\u201cHe deserved it, you know,\u201d Gabriel told him later that evening, perched on the edge of Dean\u2019s bed and toying with the keychain Dean had lifted from the motel earlier. It was, appropriately enough, an obnoxiously cheerful cartoon bee. The bright plastic rattled in Gabriel\u2019s hand as he flipped the key around.

\u201cSo the story goes,\u201d Dean agreed. According to rumour, not only had the mayor been doing anything with a pulse, he hadn\u2019t been above smacking his wife around on occasion. \u201cThough I think this might be taking \u2018just desserts\u2019 a bit<\/i> far.\u201d

\u201cOh, come on! A name like that? How was I supposed to resist?\u201d Gabriel\u2019s grin was far too self-satisfied.

Dean snorted \u2015 and abruptly found himself blinking blearily at the wall. He sat up and scanned the empty room, goosebumps prickling his skin as the sheets fell away. Seeing the keychain resting on the table gave him a turn for a long second until he remembered that he really had swiped it earlier that night when he\u2019d done a bit of snooping at the motel, to give Sam a taste of what he\u2019d been missing.

Gabriel had been his first guess when he learned a bit more about the mayor\u2019s death. That signature style was pretty hard to mistake. He hadn\u2019t been expecting his subconscious to serve him up a version of Gabriel coming to claim responsibility for it, though.

Better that than most of the other shit he dreamed about, Dean finally decided, settling back down onto the mattress. The clock said it was only 3:47, so he had time to catch a few more hours of sleep before starting the drive back to Bobby\u2019s. If he had any more dreams that night, Dean hoped they\u2019d be as entertaining as this last one.


* * *<\/center>

\"Really, Dean? We don't have enough money to fill the tank of the car and you blow half our cash on this<\/i>?\"

\"Just doing our part to support small-town economy.\"

Sam was unimpressed. \"It's not a stimulus package \u2015 it's a pile of candy.\"

Dean pointed to the bag on the table with a showy flourish. \"But it's handmade<\/i> candy. Only the finest of natural ingredients and everything.\"

Sam scowled at him. \"It's nougat<\/i>.\"

From the disgust in his voice, you'd think it was a steaming pile of horseshit.

\"And toffee. And some caramel stuff,\" Dean reminded him, snagging a few pieces out of the bag. He peeled off the wrappers and shoved them into his mouth, enjoying the way Sam grimaced at his bulging cheeks.

\"I am going to point and laugh before I give you the Heimlich,\" Sam promised.

Dean made sure his answering grin bared as many toffee-covered teeth as possible.

Sam's expression twisted with ostentatious revulsion. \"Real mature. You don't even like<\/i> toffee,\" he bitched as he stomped away.

True enough, and Dean was glad that having his mouth full of the stuff kept him from having to answer. Unlike Sam, who complained for hours about how it stuck to his teeth, Dean just figured the sticky shit was more effort than it was worth. Give him a Snickers any day.

\"Vendor was very convincing,\" he managed indistinctly.

\"Yeah, I'm sure it was her salesmanship that got your attention and nothing<\/i> to do with how well her shirt showed off her breasts.\"

Dean swallowed a glob of toffee, narrowly avoiding Sam's dire predictions of choking. \"Woman really knew how to showcase her goods,\" he agreed.

Let Sam think what he liked; it had been one of those rare times that Dean had had no trouble keeping his eyes on a woman's face. The way her mouth had worked at a sample of her wares inevitably led a man to imagining those lips wrapped around something else entirely. And if he'd paid a bit too much attention to the almost-familiar colour of her hair (just a shade or two lighter than the caramel she was selling) and kept thinking that her eyes were too dark a brown, well... Dean had spent the last couple of years keeping a suspicious eye out for people who had too sweet a tooth.

Having Gabriel on the brain again probably explained the dream Dean had that night, too. What with his addiction to candy, he\u2019d have been quick to stuff his face with Dean\u2019s purchases. He would have loved<\/i> that sticky sweet crap. Dean grinned up at the dark ceiling of their room after he woke up that morning, wondering if those \"finest of natural ingredients\" really would have been enough to glue even an archangel's teeth together.


* * *<\/center>

After that mess with the siren and the umpteen love potions and lust spells Dean had seen go wrong over the years, the succubus came as a surprise. For one thing, he\u2019d figured that her true form wouldn\u2019t be as sexy as the beautiful woman smiling at him over her drink \u2015 he hadn\u2019t expected it to be sexier<\/i>. Last night she'd briefly dropped the human act to make a point, and Dean had to admit that he\u2019d have had trouble denying her anything short of putting a gun to Sam\u2019s head. Luckily for them, this succubus wasn\u2019t the type to dine and dash. Dean didn\u2019t usually like meeting smart monsters but he\u2019d make an exception for this one; any friendly sex demon with enough brains to open up a high class strip club to guarantee herself a non-lethal, self-sustaining buffet had Dean\u2019s approval.

He saluted her with his drink before taking another careful \u2015 and thorough, very very thorough \u2015 survey of the club. Another advantage of her strategy: The view was fantastic<\/i>.

\u201cDo you really need to head off right away? You\u2019d be welcome here tonight \u2015 drinks and favours on the house.\u201d

He turned his head back to the woman sharing his table, eyes lingering appreciatively on the waitress as she glided past, before shaking his head. \u201cYeah. Thanks for the offer, but it\u2019s time we hit the road.\u201d

They had a line on a haunting two states over, and Sam had already bailed, babbling some excuse about last minute supplies before fleeing for the safety of the car.

\u201cThat\u2019s a shame,\u201d she sighed, and it took some effort for Dean to drag his mind out of the wash of hormones that her voice triggered.

\u201cHey, you wanna watch it with the sex voice? I thought we had a truce, lady.\u201d His hand tightened on his drink, anchoring himself with the slick chill of the glass beneath his fingers.

\u201cOh, we do. I just thought I\u2019d give you a reason to reconsider your answer. You can\u2019t tell me that staying another night doesn\u2019t appeal to you, after all.\u201d Her lips curled into a (highly distracting) knowing smile, and she flicked her eyes pointedly to the pair of girls on stage \u2015 the ones Dean kept looking at, despite himself.

They were well worth looking at, it had to be said. One blonde, one brunette, both gorgeous. One barely dressed in scraps of gauzy white, the other in criss-crossed strips of rich red leather. \u201cGentlemen, let us season your evening with a bit of Sugar and Spice!\u201d the announcer had exclaimed when they\u2019d strutted into view, and Dean had been captivated. What he wasn\u2019t going to mention was that every time he looked at them, Dean remembered another pair of girls in scraps of lingerie, a blonde and a brunette, who tried to win him over before beating him to a pulp as a mad not-janitor laughed in the background.

\u201cCan\u2019t blame a guy for looking,\u201d he said, suiting actions to words.

\u201cI prefer touching<\/i>,\u201d the succubus replied. \u201cAnd I really do think you deserve some reward for being so...open-minded about my little arrangement.\u201d

Sam would kill<\/i> him if he let her charm him into anything, Dean hastily reminded himself as the open invitation in her voice sent a bolt of lust shivering right down his spine. And Cas would give him that look<\/i> before frying the succubus for snacking on him.

\u201cOr maybe you\u2019re looking<\/i> for something else?\u201d she asked in someone else\u2019s voice. Someone Dean had never expected to hear again.

A surge of anger finally washed the haze of want out of his mind, but Dean forced himself not to turn around. \u201cNot interested. And stay the fuck out of my head.\u201d He\u2019d known she could be what any man wanted, but he hadn\u2019t expected her to pluck that<\/i> part of the image out of his mind.

She sighed again, this time in regret, and the table shifted under his hand as she pushed her chair back and stood up.

\u201cToo bad,\u201d she said as she circled into his view. She stopped in front of him, threading one hand into his hair as she tilted his head back. \u201cI think a night with you would have been worth risking your brother\u2019s temper. And even that angel of yours.\u201d

Dean let her her kiss him \u2015 hell, Dean thoroughly enjoyed<\/i> her kissing him \u2015 before she let him go and vanished into the crowd of men filling up the place.

Whatever dreams he had that night, they were clearly the fault of whatever mojo the succubus had worked on him, and he put them out of his head as quickly as he could.


* * *<\/center>

They\u2019d only meant to stop for gas, but it only took a few seconds to realize that this little town had some big-time problems. The streets were mostly empty. Only a few people were out, scurrying from door to door, darting nervous glances over their hunched shoulders. They practically flinched when the Winchesters drove past them on the street. Sam and Dean exchanged glances full of silent warning as Dean pulled up at the gas station: Be ready for anything. Something\u2019s rotten in this town.<\/i>

Sam climbed out of the car when Dean did, wordlessly making his way to the small gas bar attached to the station. Dean stayed by the pumps, keeping watch as the tank filled. He had the car idling and ready to go by the time Sam emerged. The grim twist to Sam\u2019s mouth told Dean that he wasn\u2019t going to like what Sam had learned.

\u201cWitches,\u201d Sam said shortly as he folded himself into his seat and slammed the door behind him. \u201cDrive.\u201d

Dean swore and pulled out of the station as Sam reported what he\u2019d learned. It wasn\u2019t much but it was still pretty conclusive. Goddamn, but Dean hated witches.

They cruised down the town\u2019s main strip, tossing out potential starting points for the hunt when Dean caught sight of a familiar face.

\u201cAwesome,\u201d he said as he braked to a sharp stop, parking hastily at the side of the road. \u201cWe might get to play second string on this one for a change.\u201d

\u201cDean? What\u2019s going on?\u201d Sam asked, confused by the abrupt change of direction. \u201cWhy are we - hey, is that Chris?\u201d

\u201cSure is,\u201d Dean replied, getting out of the car and leading the way across the street.

Chris had started hunting for much the same reasons their father had, though he\u2019d lost both wife and son in his introduction to the supernatural. Dean had worked with him a few times over the years and knew just how deadly the son of a bitch could be. If he was already on the witches\u2019 trail, the problem was well in hand.

Chris watched their approach with a thin-lipped smile, offering a terse, \u201cBoys,\u201d by way of greeting.

The grey-haired man at his side was friendlier, grinning widely as they walked up. \u201cYou must be the Winchesters. Good to meet you.\u201d

\u201cWe must,\u201d Dean agreed, nodding acknowledgement. \u201cBeen a while, Chris. Figured we ought to come say \u2018Hi,\u2019 when I noticed you over there. Thought maybe you could tell us if there\u2019s anything here worth sticking around for?\u201d

He wasn\u2019t entirely surprised when Chris shook his head firmly. \u201cNothing at all. You two might as well be on your way.\u201d

\u201cYou sure?\u201d Sam asked. \u201cWe\u2019re not on a tight schedule and I bet this place gets livelier at night.\u201d

\u201cI think Grey and I are about all this town can handle,\u201d Chris answered, jerking a thumb at the guy beside him. \u201cYou may as well get a few more hours of driving in before dark.\u201d

Dean and Sam shrugged at each other and conceded. They had other places to be and trying to help where they weren\u2019t wanted would cause more problems than it would solve. Dean really fucking hated dealing with witches, anyhow. They wished Chris and his partner good luck and headed out. Dean didn\u2019t give it much more thought until the pleasantly boring dream he\u2019d been having that night took an odd turn.

\u201cYou know, I don\u2019t like witches either,\u201d Grey announced as he wandered over to claim the empty half of Dean\u2019s park bench. \u201cBut that\u2019s not the only thing we have in common.\u201d

\u201cOh yeah?\u201d Dean stretched an arm across the back of the bench and propped his chin against his fist. His dreams were still full of weird shit these days, but it was better than hell flashbacks. \u201cSo what else is there?\u201d

\u201cWe have a mutual friend,\u201d Grey answered. \u201cOr had, I suppose.\u201d

\u201cHad?\u201d Suddenly this dream was looking a lot less innocuous.

\u201cThe little idiot went and got himself killed.\u201d Grey sounded equal parts sad, fond, and annoyed.

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to be a bit more specific than that,\u201d Dean said. Too many people he\u2019d known fit that description.

That was when he noticed the feather that Grey was twirling between two fingers \u2015 a single flight feather, nearly as long as Dean\u2019s forearm, shining a dozen shades of gold. The damn thing was nearly glowing<\/i>.

Dean\u2019s head snapped up to find Grey staring at him intently, eyes gone nearly as gold as the feather he was holding.

\u201cY\u2019see, Winchester, that\u2019s one of the other things you have I have in common \u2015 a habit of befriending wayward angels.\u201d

Wayward angels? There were only a couple of angels with which Dean had been anything approaching friendly, and only one of those two had spent any significant time dirtside before meeting him. Only one of them was dead now because he'd chosen to act on their side.

He swallowed to ease his suddenly dry throat. Any friend of Gabriel\u2019s was probably very, very dangerous. \u201cSo what's your connection?\u201d

Grey just shrugged and grinned again, flashing teeth. \u201cSomeone had to teach him how to be a trickster.\u201d

A trickster. A trickster with shaggy grey hair, gold eyes and a smile full of sharp-looking teeth. ...Wonderful. Because there weren\u2019t enough deity-level mythological figures taking an interest in Dean\u2019s life already.

\u201cSo what do you want with me?\u201d Dean challenged.

\u201cNot a thing,\u201d Coyote answered cheerfully. \u201cIn fact, I\u2019m here to give you something.\u201d

\u201cGive me<\/i> something.\u201d Because that didn\u2019t have the potential to end horribly<\/i> or anything.

\u201cDon\u2019t look so worried! I\u2019m giving it to<\/i> you, but it\u2019s not for<\/i> you,\u201d Coyote said and held out the feather.

Dean eyed it suspiciously and made no move to touch it. \u201cWhat is it? And what am I supposed to do with it?\u201d

Coyote nodded approvingly. \u201cExcellent questions. To answer: A long time ago, Gabriel-then-Loki gifted me with a tiny piece of his former divinity \u2015 his Grace, I think you\u2019d call it.\u201d

Dean sucked in a sharp breath.

\u201cEven playing pagan, he had plenty to spare. He called it a token of gratitude. I called it the biggest favour-in-waiting I\u2019d ever seen. But I\u2019ve had little need for miracles, so here it remains. And I think our friend could really use one right about now, don\u2019t you?\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019re holding on to that kind of power and you\u2019d give it up? For him? Why?\u201d Most of the creatures Dean had met would have killed to get their hands on what Coyote was offering to give away.

\u201cWhatever else he was, Gabriel made an excellent trickster.\u201d Coyote shrugged. \u201cWhy should I hold on to this little piece of him when the world is much more interesting with him in it?\u201d

\u201cAwfully generous of you but I don\u2019t know what good you think it\u2019ll do him. Gabriel\u2019s dead<\/i>,\u201d Dean pointed out.

\u201cOh, Lucifer certainly gave it a good try,\u201d Coyote said. \u201cBut tricksters aren\u2019t easy to kill. And archangels even less so. Gabriel\u2019s not quite beyond saving yet. You should know.\u201d

\u201cMe? How should I know?\u201d

Coyote flashed that alarming grin again and leaned forward to tap the tip of the feather against Dean\u2019s nose. \u201cCome on. You didn\u2019t really think you\u2019ve been just dreaming all of this time, did you?\u201d

When Dean sneezed himself awake, the feather was lying on the pillow next to his face, gleaming in the dim light of their hotel room.


* * *<\/center>

Sam was entirely to blame for the exhibition of spirit photography. Dean would have been perfectly happy to point and mock in passing, but Sam got it into his head that they should attend the show. He thought they should investigate whether or not the pictures were real. Dean could have cared less if the photographer was a charlatan \u2015 or worse, a True Believer \u2015 but Sam eventually talked him into it. The ad promised free food and an open bar, and Sam was quick to remind him that such shows always<\/i> drew a crowd of gullible young women along with the devout fanatics and the equally hardcore skeptics.

It turned out to be an interesting evening in the end. Dean had seen \u2015 hell, Dean had taken<\/i> \u2015 better pictures of spirit phenomena, but he\u2019d grant that the person who took these pictures was a skilled photographer. Even the fake ones looked good. Add some tasty food, decent booze and a small flock of girls hanging on Dean\u2019s every word...well, he\u2019d spent far worse nights.

The real showstopper of the evening was a picture the photographer had snapped in a church. Even Sam and Dean had been impressed by that one. Taken on its own merits, it was a beautiful picture \u2015 light streaming through a stained glass window, casting a robed figure into silhouette. But something \u2015 some trick of the light, of the dust, of Photoshop \u2015 had brushed ripples of brightness into the air above the priest knelt in prayer. Sam and Dean knew<\/i> better and even they half-believed the artist\u2019s claim that she\u2019d photographed an angel.

Dean\u2019s subconscious took the gallery imagery and ran<\/i> with it, presenting him with an endless array of picture-lined halls the next time he fell asleep. Very few of the pictures were as pretty as what he\u2019d seen hanging at the exhibition, but then again, very little of Dean\u2019s life could be described as \u2018pretty\u2019. He was wandering from frame to frame, wondering at the dream reasoning that had selected these snapshots from his memory, when he heard another set of footsteps echoing from the room he\u2019d just exited. Dean went still and waited.

\u201cOur wings don\u2019t really look like that,\u201d Gabriel\u2019s voice commented a minute later.

About time he showed up! Dean had been trying to trigger a Gabriel dream ever since his little chat with Coyote, but even mostly dead, Gabriel was the same perverse bastard he\u2019d always been. It\u2019d been weeks without so much as a flicker. In the meantime, Dean had tucked the feather away almost as soon as he\u2019d found it, unsure what to say to Sam about the whole situation.

So, I had a visit from Coyote last night. The trickster, not the scavenger. Yeah, he popped in for a little dreamwalk. Said that Gabriel\u2019s not completely dead, by the way, and he thinks I can resurrect him with this nifty feather. Because I\u2019ve been dreaming about him for months - oh, didn\u2019t I mention that?<\/i>

Yeah, not a conversation Dean saw himself having with his brother. Sam had some very firm opinions where Gabriel was concerned, and that was an argument Dean would just as soon avoid.

He shook his head and ambled back the way he\u2019d come, walking into the previous room to see Gabriel staring pensively up at the picture from the exhibition, the priest silhouetted against stained glass and surrounded by a tracery of light.

<\/center>

\u201cSo what do they look like?\u201d Dean asked as he crossed the room to stand at Gabriel\u2019s side. The closest he\u2019d come to seeing an angel\u2019s wings were the shadows Cas had cast for show that first time in the barn.

Gabriel considered the question, eyes losing focus as he thought. \u201cFolded sunlight,\u201d he finally said. \u201cWhen I flew, they sounded like a song...I used to know the sound. But I can\u2019t remember it now.\u201d

Dean had to clear his throat before he could speak. \u201cHum a few bars,\u201d he suggested hoarsely. \u201cMaybe it\u2019ll come back to you.\u201d

Gabriel snorted a quick laugh but stayed quiet, shoulders bowing inwards as a lost look crept across his face.

...And right then is when Dean stopped caring about how this resurrection thing was supposed to work or if he should even try. He reached into his jacket without thinking, fingers closing on the soft warmth of the feather he knew he\u2019d find there.

Gabriel\u2019s eyes went wide as Dean pulled it out of his pocket. \u201cWhat is - how did you get that?\u201d

\u201cGift from a friend of yours,\u201d Dean answered, holding it out to him. \u201cI think you owe him two now.\u201d

If Gabriel had an answer to that, Dean didn\u2019t hear it because as soon as Gabriel\u2019s fingers touched the feather, the world exploded.


* * *<\/center>

Dean woke up in literally blinding agony. It felt like someone had set his brain on fire<\/i>. He curled around the hurt as best he could, clutching desperately at the sides of his head to hold it together. He could barely breathe around the pain knifing through his skull.

His frantic gasping must have woken Sam \u2015 Dean could feel the terrified grip of familiar hands on his shoulders. He couldn\u2019t answer Sam\u2019s panicked questions, though. He could barely hear them. Fortunately for them both, Sam had the bright idea to call Cas for help. Those blue eyes were the first thing Dean had seen clearly since waking, and even better was the gentle tap on his forehead that sent him tumbling into welcome darkness.

It took over a day for Dean\u2019s vision to clear. It took almost three for the headache to fade. Sam was kind enough to wait until Dean was feeling better before he started yelling, backed up by Cas\u2019 silent censure. Dean let them tear him a new one; he knew he\u2019d be furious if Sam had pulled something this boneheaded.

\u201cSo what happened?\u201d Sam asked after he\u2019d shouted himself out. \u201cI mean, did it work?\u201d

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Dean sighed and rubbed a hand over his still-tender eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s not like they handed me the how-to manual or anything. I guess we\u2019ll just have to wait and see. If Gabriel\u2019s back, it should be pretty obvious, right?\u201d

Nothing about Gabriel had ever been simple, why should this be any different?


* * *<\/center>

Dean made sure to leave a note for Sam before he slipped out of their motel room. Sam would freak if Dean disappeared on him, but Dean was going to start climbing the walls if he stared at the ceiling for one more minute. Let Sam catch up on his sleep. Dean would take a drive to clear his head before trying again for his own rest. It was a nice night for that, at least. Dean rolled his window down and enjoyed the flow of the night breeze over his heated cheeks.

When a voice suddenly said, \u201cDon\u2019t turn around,\u201d from the backseat, Dean almost drove into the ditch. He started to shoot a reflexive glance at the rearview mirror as he steered the car straight again, but he froze at a sharp command from behind him.

\u201cDon\u2019t look back!\u201d

This time Dean recognized the voice.

\u201cGabriel? What the fuck<\/i> are you doing in my backseat? And where the hell have you been<\/i>?\u201d It took some effort to keep his eyes focused forward, especially with the awareness of just how vulnerable he was prickling across the back of his neck.

\u201cI\u2019d be giving directions, if you\u2019d shut up for a second, Dean. And give a guy a break, would you? This isn\u2019t as easy as it looks. Or not-looks, as the case may be. Take the next left.\u201d

\u201cSo why can\u2019t I look back?\u201d Dean asked as he let Gabriel direct them deeper into the flat countryside.

There was a long, hesitant pause before: \u201cBelief is a funny thing. Powerful as all get out but really, really fragile. Let\u2019s just say that now\u2019s not the time to be doubting, okay?\u201d

Dean's hands tightened on the wheel as he struggled against the nearly overwhelming urge to look behind him and see what was there. The thought of what might not<\/i> be there kept him facing forward. \u201cFair enough, Eurydice.\u201d

Gabriel\u2019s laugh was as bright as Dean remembered it. \u201cI\u2019ve heard you sing in the shower, Dean. You\u2019re no Orpheus.\u201d

\u201cFuck you, I sound fantastic.\u201d And Dean would totally have popped in a tape to prove it if it wouldn\u2019t have drowned out Gabriel\u2019s directions.

About ten minutes later, surrounded by wheat fields in the middle of nowhere, Gabriel said, \u201cOkay, pull over here. We have to go the rest of the way on foot.\u201d

\u201cJust tell me we\u2019re not where I think we are,\u201d Dean requested as he obediently directed the car to the side of the rough dirt road. Wheat fields were a dime a dozen out here, but there was one particular field Dean had been careful to avoid since he and Sam got here.

\u201cNo can do!\u201d Gabriel answered gleefully.

\u201cCome on, my life\u2019s not weird enough already?\u201d Dean complained as he climbed out of the car, careful not to look behind him. \u201cBesides, you did the alien joke already.\u201d

\u201cWho says this is one of mine?\u201d

\u201cBullshit, it\u2019s not. Who else would make a crop circle and spike it with the kind of ongoing weirdness that keeps the yahoos coming back for more research year after year?\u201d Actual scientific research teams sent out to measure the difference in seed growth rate? For real? It fucking better be the result of Gabriel\u2019s work and not just some dumbasses with boards, some rope and too much time on their hands.

\u201cOkay, so I might have tweaked things a little bit. But can you blame me? If they\u2019re going to make such a spectacle by investigating, who am I to deny them?\u201d

There were days when Dean wondered just how many of the world\u2019s mysteries could be explained by Gabriel\u2019s attempts to entertain himself. If he thought he stood a snowball\u2019s chance of getting a straight answer, he\u2019d have asked about it.

\u201cDo I need anything?\u201d he asked instead, wondering about the small collection of items he\u2019d stuffed into a nondescript sack in the trunk. A DVD, a gaudy keychain, some candy wrappers, a matchbook, a glossy pamphlet \u2015 just a handful of things Dean had picked up along the way and hadn\u2019t quite had the heart to throw out. At the time, he\u2019d had the vague notion that someone<\/i> ought to remember Gabriel and what he\u2019d done. In retrospect, he was starting to wonder if they didn\u2019t have some other significance.

\u201cJust your fine self,\u201d Gabriel answered lightly.

Dean snorted as he set off into the field, stalks rasping against his legs. \u201cI\u2019m already doing what you want. You don\u2019t need to sweet talk me into cooperating.\u201d

<\/center>

The sounds of his own passage covered up any noise that might be made by someone following in his tracks, and his skin was crawling with nervous tension. Going out into the middle of nowhere alone and leaving his back open to something that might<\/i> be Gabriel was another one of those stunts he\u2019d have killed Sam for pulling. Seeing a break in the stalks ahead was a relief. Maybe they were finally getting close to whatever it was Gabriel had brought them out here to find.

\u201cSo now what?\u201d Dean asked as he took a step out onto the flattened grain.

\u201cYou know how I mentioned the power of belief before?\u201d

\u201cYeah.\u201d

\u201cYou weren\u2019t the only one I was talking about.\u201d

\u201cWhat are you doing<\/i> in there?\u201d someone shouted before Dean could demand more details.

Dean nearly tripped over his own feet as a woman in coveralls came hurtling out of the darkness and flapped her arms at him.

\u201cGet out<\/i> of there! You\u2019re going to ruin all of our results!\u201d

\u201cIf you could just get out of the circle, please, sir,\u201d requested another person in coveralls, laying a hand on the excitable woman\u2019s shoulder.

\u201cI\u2019m going, I\u2019m going,\u201d Dean promised as he hastily backed away.

\u201cHow did you even get in here?\u201d demanded the woman. \u201cThe whole area is cordoned off!\u201d

\u201cNot the whole area,\u201d Dean protested, pointing back the way he\u2019d come. \u201cI, uh, got lost. So I pulled off the road and started walking. Figured I\u2019d hit a farmhouse eventually.\u201d

A sudden burst of laughter at his side startled him and he automatically looked over...just as an arm wrapped itself around his waist.

\u201cDon\u2019t even try for an excuse \u2015 you\u2019re an embarrassingly bad liar,\u201d Gabriel scolded as he tucked himself into Dean\u2019s side, positively beaming when Dean just gaped down at him.

\u201cSorry about this,\u201d he added to the researchers still staring at them. \u201cHe\u2019s just such a big fan of work like yours. Can\u2019t keep him away from a circle when he hears about it. We just had<\/i> to stop and check in on this one while we were in the area.\u201d He squeezed Dean until he stammered something that hopefully sounded more like embarrassed agreement than total astonishment.

\u201cI can understand your interest but this is not the place or time,\u201d the first researcher scolded. \u201cWe\u2019ll be publishing our results later this year, you can learn all about it then.\u201d

Dean nodded and pasted an expectant expression on his face, but they could keep their fucking crop circle. Dean had far more pressing questions he wanted answered. Like what the fuck<\/i> had just happened here?

\u201cOh, sure! Sorry about the trouble,\u201d Gabriel apologized and the hell of it was, if you didn\u2019t know better, you\u2019d believe the little bastard actually meant<\/i> that.

\u201cYeah, we\u2019ll just...be on our way,\u201d Dean added, looping his arm around Gabriel\u2019s neck and tugging him away.

Walking one in front of the other would have made it easier to weave through the stalks but Dean left his arm draped over Gabriel\u2019s shoulders as he steered them back towards the car. Dean didn\u2019t have a hope of hanging on to Gabriel if the guy had had even a fraction of his power restored to him, but Dean didn\u2019t want him feeling entirely free to fuck off without explaining things either. Gabriel didn\u2019t seem to mind the contact. In fact, he wasn\u2019t in any hurry to reclaim his arm either, keeping a solid, warm grip around Dean\u2019s waist.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Dean shook his head and pinned Gabriel with a sidelong stare. \u201cBelief is a funny thing?\u201d

\u201cFunny but effective!\u201d Gabriel replied, tilting his head back against Dean\u2019s arm to grin up at him. \u201cI\u2019m here, aren\u2019t I?\u201d

He was. He really was. Dean still didn\u2019t know how Gabriel had pulled it off, but he thought that maybe this was the kind of miracle he could believe in.


* * *<\/center>

\u201cThe greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.\u201d ~ James Allen


(FIN)<\/b><\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:22808","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/22808.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=22808"}}],"title":"[SPN] FIC: A Minute I Let My Guard Down (Foothill #2)","published":"2013-03-02T03:07:58Z","updated":"2013-03-02T09:02:47Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"crawl to your foothill"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"supernatural"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> A Minute I Let My Guard Down
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Gabriel\/Dean
Rating:<\/b> R
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 2200
Warnings:<\/b> If you\u2019re here, you\u2019re probably already aware of the blasphemy thing.
Summary:<\/b> Sam finds out about them by accident.
Notes:<\/b> Part of the Crawl To Your Foothill<\/a> series. Titles from The Tea Party\u2019s The Messenger<\/i>.


A Minute I Let My Guard Down<\/b>


It wasn\u2019t that Dean was hiding his thing with Gabe, really. It was more that they didn\u2019t have<\/i> a thing. Sometimes Gabe just showed up when Dean was alone and they ended up in bed, that was all. (Or sometimes in the car, or the shower, or up against a wall. Dean was still holding on to his veto of motel carpets unless the room was something Gabe had snapped into existence.) Kind of the angelic equivalent of a booty call. Not that Dean was complaining \u2015 a thousand years of running with the pagans hadn\u2019t been wasted on Gabe. Dean was having some of the best sex of his life.

Definitely the best method of angel acclimatization Dean had experienced yet.

Prolonged exposure had to be why Dean didn\u2019t so much as flinch when the far side of his bed sank under a new weight, late one night. He and Sam had been lying on their respective beds, staring blankly at the sci-fi cheesefest playing on the room\u2019s ancient tv as they wound down from a night of dodging ghosts in the local cemetery.

\u201cHey there, boys.\u201d

Sam muttered something vaguely welcoming, shooting Gabe a narrow-eyed glance before returning his attention to the screen.

\u201cOooo! Fine choice for the evening\u2019s entertainment!\u201d Gabe commented approvingly, stretching out comfortably as he apparently settled down for the duration.

Dean rolled his eyes \u2015 of course<\/i> Gabe enjoyed bad sci-fi, why was he even surprised? \u2015 and grunted a greeting before adding, \u201cPrice of admission is munchies.\u201d

A snap of the fingers later and both Dean and Sam were holding bucket-sized bags of movie theatre popcorn, hot enough that it was practically steaming. Dean wasted no time in cramming a handful into his mouth, mumbling appreciative thanks. The stuff was dripping with butter and salt, just the way it should be.

\u201cAnd beer?\u201d he added hopefully, after swallowing the first perfect mouthful.

\u201cNo pleasing some people,\u201d Gabe sighed dramatically but a six-pack of chilled bottles obligingly appeared on the nightstand between the beds.

Sam snagged a couple of bottles, twisting the top off of one before passing it to Dean. Dean grinned thanks and tapped the necks of their bottles together.

\u201cOkay, you can stay,\u201d Dean announced magnanimously.

\u201cOh, can<\/i> I?\u201d Gabe snarked, then stole some of Dean\u2019s popcorn.

Dean was distracted enough by the fact that Gabe was pulling caramel corn out of a bag of otherwise buttered popcorn that it took him far too long to realize that the theft hadn\u2019t stopped at a handful.

\u201cHey!\u201d he complained, tilting the bag away from Gabe\u2019s reaching hand. \u201cGet your own! Hell, make<\/i> your own! You made this bag!\u201d

\u201cOh, come on,\u201d Gabe wheedled, stretching an arm across Dean\u2019s chest in search of popcorn. \u201cEveryone knows food tastes better if it\u2019s someone else\u2019s!\u201d

\u201cBut you made<\/i> - oh, fuck it,\u201d Dean surrendered with a sigh, propping the bag against his hip within easy reach. \u201cKnock yourself out.\u201d

He absolutely did not<\/i> smile at the contented noise Gabe made as he crunched away at another handful of stolen sweetness.

\u201cDoesn\u2019t taste any better in your lungs,\u201d he said absently as Sam choked on a swig of beer, erupting into a fit of violent coughing. \u201cMight as well not waste it by trying.\u201d

\u201cWould\u2019ve thought he was old enough to feed himself, these days,\u201d Gabe commented, eyeing the shade of near-purple Sam was turning.

Dean shrugged. \u201cEh, you know. Some people don\u2019t learn so fast. You know, mature more slowly than others.\u201d

\u201cAlways been a special snowflake, then?\u201d

Dean didn\u2019t bother trying to hide his grin when Sam squeezed an indignant splutter between gasping coughs.

\u201cNeither one of you have got any room to talk about maturity,\u201d he finally wheezed.

\u201cWhat do you mean? I\u2019m the picture of a responsible adult,\u201d Dean lied shamelessly, thumping Gabe on the shoulder when he snickered his opinion of that comment.

\u201cOnly if Dali\u2019s the one who painted the picture,\u201d Sam shot back.

Dean had to give Sam credit \u2015 from incoherent choking to bitchy retorts in under a minute, pretty impressive.

\u201cThough I gotta admit, I\u2019m sort of wondering what other common ground you two are finding these days.\u201d Sam added thoughtfully, eyes flickering between Dean and Gabe.

\u201cHe has good taste in beer?\u201d Dean offered, lifting up his bottle in illustration.

Sam made a face at him, rolling his eyes in that way that condemned Dean\u2019s intelligence even as it demanded he stop playing dumb.

Dean scowled at him, wondering what the hell had gotten Sam\u2019s boxers into a twist this time.

Sam just gestured at him, raising his eyebrows in pointed inquiry.

...Which was about when Dean realized that Gabe had practically crawled all over him during their earlier popcorn squabble and hadn\u2019t bothered to move away after claiming his spoils. And if the fact that Gabe was now treating Dean\u2019s stomach as a pillow hadn\u2019t earned Sam\u2019s suspicion, the casual arm Dean had slung over Gabe\u2019s shoulder sure as hell would.

Well, shit. This was going to be fun to explain. Dean considered lying for a moment \u2015 it wasn\u2019t like Sam had caught him with his pants down \u2015 but no, that wasn\u2019t a workable option. Even without considering Gabe and his deep, sincere love of fucking with people, there was no easy lie that would explain Dean\u2019s automatic acceptance of Gabe\u2019s invasion of his personal space.

Dean sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. Whatever he and Gabe got up to, they weren\u2019t doing anything wrong<\/i>, exactly. Problem was, there was a mess of unresolved grudges between Sam and Gabe, and it kept them at nothing more comfortable than an uneasy truce. Right or wrong, Sam figuring out that Dean was fucking around with Gabe left Dean feeling like he should be apologizing to somebody<\/i>.

The outraged expression on Sam\u2019s face wasn\u2019t helping with that. \u201cReally, Dean? You and him?<\/i>\u201d

\u201cOkay, so maybe we \u2015\u201d he started before a sharp jab to his abdomen cut his words off in a pained grunt. He shot a glare down at Gabe, who\u2019d twisted around to watch their conversation. \u201cJesus<\/i>, your chin is pointy and will you please get it the hell out of my spleen?\u201d

Gabe did him the favour of shifting his head so that Dean was no longer in imminent danger of losing internal organs before he aimed a mocking smile at Sam. \u201cYou just figuring this out now? And I thought you were supposed to be the smart one.\u201d

\u201cHey!\u201d Dean protested reflexively.

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Gabe reassured him, absently patting his stomach. \u201cYou\u2019re still the pretty one.\u201d

That was even worse<\/i>. \u201cI am not pretty!<\/i>\u201d

\u201cOkay, fine. You can be the hot<\/i> one.\u201d This time, there was nothing absent about the way Gabe touched him.

\u201cBetter,\u201d Dean judged, catching Gabe\u2019s wandering hand and deciding to ignore the almost indulgent shade to his answering smirk.

On the upside, it looked like Sam was having trouble deciding exactly how to react. Dean smothered a grin at the way Sam\u2019s expression contorted back and forth between how could you do this?<\/i> and I am about to laugh my ass off<\/i>. To Dean\u2019s relief, he eventually went with the latter, indignation finally collapsing into resigned amusement.

\u201cSo I suppose this explains the improvement in your mood, the last couple of months?\u201d Sam asked dryly, eyes on their linked hands. \u201cShould have guessed you had something going on.\u201d

\u201cProbably should have,\u201d Dean agreed unrepentantly. Sam was the one who\u2019d been giving Dean funny looks for not being depressed enough, and growing up in cramped motel rooms meant that Sam was all too familiar with Dean\u2019s preferred method of cheering himself up.

\u201cSurprised at you, though,\u201d Sam continued, directing the comment at Gabe, who raised a curious eyebrow.

\u201cOh yeah?\u201d

Okay, and that? That mild little inquiry? Was a red fucking alert<\/i>. Dean couldn\u2019t help but tense up as he looked between Sam\u2019s edged smile and the hard brightness of Gabe\u2019s eyes.

\u201cCome on, you guys,\u201d he tried, not wanting to get caught in the middle if Gabe decided to take offense. \u201cCan\u2019t we just \u2015\u201d

\u201cYeah,\u201d Sam answered, speaking over Dean\u2019s vain attempt at peacemaking. \u201cI mean, you show up for a visit with your boyfriend and this<\/i> is the best you can do?\u201d

There was a beat of startled silence, punctuated by tinny roaring from the tv speakers.

\u201cWait, wait, wait! Who said anything about boyfriends<\/i>?\u201d Dean demanded even as Gabe sat up and announced, \u201cYou know, you\u2019re absolutely right!\u201d

Ah, shit,<\/i> Dean thought as he took in Gabe\u2019s raised hand and gleeful grin. Sam just had<\/i> to open his big mouth.

Gabe snapped his fingers, and suddenly they were in a movie theatre. One of the classic ones instead of some soulless multiplex, Dean was pleased to note, all red velvet drapery and gold moulding, and it looked like they had it to themselves. Dean was the centre of their little row of three, with Sam on his left and Gabe to his right. The crappy movie they\u2019d been watching on tv was now playing on the big screen and looking all the worse for it. At this size, you could practically see the zippers on the rubber monster costume, and Dean couldn\u2019t contain a snort of amusement. There was even a fresh bag of popcorn in his lap and a cold beer in the cupholder at his left hand.

All things considered, nowhere near the worst place Gabe had ever sent him.

\u201cThis\u2019s more like it,\u201d Sam commented approvingly, and Dean flipped him off with his near hand.

He and Gabe weren\u2019t dating<\/i>, for fuck\u2019s sake. And even if they were, Dean could vet his own boyfriends, thank you very fucking much.

\u201cShut up,\u201d he commanded, punching Sam in the shoulder. \u201cJust be quiet and watch the damn movie.\u201d

\u201cOh hell<\/i> no,\u201d Sam returned sharply, already gathering himself to stand.

All of this and Sam was still<\/i> pitching a hissy fit? Jesus, and here Dean had been hoping that he\u2019d avoided a temper tantrum of offended feelings. Frustrated, he frowned over at Sam in the flickering light. \u201cThe hell is the problem now?<\/i>\u201d

\u201cThe problem<\/i> is that I\u2019m not going to hang around while you two trade hickeys and handjobs,\u201d Sam told him as he hauled himself out of his seat.

Funny, how that had sounded less like a complaint and more like a suggestion. Dean narrowed his eyes and spotted a furtive grin tugging at the corners of Sam\u2019s mouth as he scowled down at them.

\u201cI can\u2019t stop you from acting like horny teenagers, but I\u2019m not going to sit here and watch<\/i>,\u201d he declared in apparent disgust.

But they\u2019d never been good at communicating in straight lines and Dean caught the underlying message loud and clear. Translated from Winchester-speak: Go for it. You\u2019ve got my blessing. Have fun.<\/i>

\u201cWell, well, well. Aren\u2019t you are just full<\/i> of good ideas today, Sam?\u201d Gabe laughed, warm and wicked, far too close to Dean\u2019s ear for comfort. Dean tamped down a shiver and refused to look over at him, not yet. Gabe laughed at them all the time but Dean had a conditioned reaction to hearing Gabe laugh like that<\/i>. At least the uncertain light ought to hide the flush prickling over his skin.

There was genuine confusion in the shake of Sam\u2019s head as he turned away \u2015 fair enough, since it didn\u2019t make all that much sense to Dean, some days \u2015 but no anger driving his steps as he sidled out of the row.

\u201cJust try to change the room back sometime<\/i> tonight, would you?\u201d he called over his shoulder, loping down the aisle towards the brightly-lit exit sign at the front of the room.

\u201cNo promises, Sammy!\u201d Dean couldn\u2019t resist shouting back. \u201cThis looks like it might turn out to be one hell of a show!\u201d

\u201cUgh! Dean!<\/i>\u201d Sam yelled at him, hitting the door with a bit more force than strictly necessary. \u201cWhy do you always have to \u2015\u201d he managed before the slam of the door cut off the stream of his aggrieved muttering.

Dean snickered and turned to Gabe, always ready to share a smirk at Sam\u2019s expense. Gabe ambushed him with a kiss instead, not that Dean was complaining.

No,<\/i> Dean thought as he let Gabe pull him in, angling his head obligingly as Gabe licked his way into his mouth. Not complaining at all.<\/i>

\u201cGuess your brother\u2019s not the only one with good ideas today,\u201d Gabe said as he let Dean up for air.

\u201cShut up about Sam, already,\u201d Dean groaned as Gabe bit lightly at his throat. \u201cGet to the part where we live down to all of those expectations of his.\u201d

Gabe hummed enthusiastic agreement and tugged at Dean, tightening the grip he had on the back of Dean\u2019s head. Dean slouched obediently in his seat, tipping his chin up and letting Gabe\u2019s other hand tug his knees wider apart.

\u201cDefinitely the hot one,\u201d Gabe murmured appreciatively as clever fingers worked open Dean\u2019s jeans.

Dean was pretty sure that tonight was going to leave him with a new set of inappropriate reactions to cheesy monster movies. He was equally sure, hips rocking up into the hot clasp of Gabe\u2019s hand wrapped around his dick, that it\u2019d be entirely worth it.

Fin<\/b><\/a>



The Masterpost<\/a> for the Crawl To Your Foothill<\/i> series."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:22560","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/22560.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=22560"}}],"title":"[SPN] FIC: Not Expecting To Collide (Foothill #1)","published":"2013-02-07T21:40:43Z","updated":"2013-03-02T09:01:56Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"crawl to your foothill"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"supernatural"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> Not Expecting To Collide
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Dean\/Gabriel
Rating:<\/b> R
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 2800
Warnings:<\/b> Slash? Check. Blasphemy? Check. Good sense? Uh...must have missed that one.
Summary:<\/b> Dean has a problem. Gabriel\u2019s willing to lend a hand. (Or two.)
Notes:<\/b> First in the Crawl To Your Foothill<\/a> series. Titles from The Tea Party\u2019s The Messenger<\/i>.


Not Expecting To Collide<\/b>


\u201cEarly night tonight?\u201d

There was no restraining a startled jump in response to the unexpected voice in his hotel room, but Dean counted it a victory that he managed to avoid tipping himself or his beer off the bed. Turning away from the television, he glared across the room at the smirking archangel lounging on the bed next to his.

\u201cWhat the hell are you doing here?\u201d he grumbled. So much for a quiet night.

Gabriel might have recently upgraded himself from pain in the ass enemy to pain in the ass ally but he wasn\u2019t exactly comfortable company. They were starting to get used to his habit of appearing at random, not that they had a choice in the matter. It wasn\u2019t as if they could actually do<\/i> anything about him. Dean just counted it lucky that Gabriel\u2019s change of heart extended to (mostly) reining in his tricks around them these days.

\u201cWondering the same thing about you, actually,\u201d Gabriel answered blithely, rolling onto his side and propping his head up on one hand as he stared at Dean. \u201cThe night is young, the beer is cheap, the women are hot, and Dean Winchester\u2019s sulking in his motel room. What\u2019s up with that?\u201d

\u201cI am not sulking<\/i>.\u201d

\u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry<\/i>,\u201d Gabriel apologized with exaggerated sincerity. \u201cDean Winchester\u2019s holed up in his motel room watching unspeakably awful late night television. That better?\u201d

Dean held the glare for a moment longer before allowing himself to flop backwards onto the pillow. \u201cOkay, I think I\u2019d rather be sulking,\u201d he admitted to the ceiling.

There was a snort to his left, then Gabriel\u2019s face leaned into view.

\u201cSo?\u201d he prompted. \u201cWhat are you doing in here<\/i> when there\u2019s fun to be had out there<\/i>?\u201d

\u201cNot in the mood.\u201d Dean took a half-hearted swipe at the archangel looming over him, unsurprised when his hand sailed through abruptly empty air as the foot of his bed sank under a new weight.

\u201cNot in the mood?\u201d Gabriel repeated. \u201cYou?<\/i> Since when? Even Sam<\/i> managed to get himself picked up tonight!\u201d

\u201cI know!\u201d Dean lifted his head to share a disbelieving look with Gabriel, animosity momentarily forgotten in a moment of incredulous accord. Occasionally, Dean thought maybe he should worry about the fact that the only person he knew that seemed to share his sense of humour was a trickster archangel. (Mostly, he just appreciated the company.) \u201cAny other circumstances and I\u2019d be making jokes about the end of the world.\u201d

\u201cBut that\u2019d be in bad taste, even for me,\u201d Gabriel agreed, almost regretfully. \u201cAnd to be fair, she was smoking<\/i>.\u201d

\u201cTrue, that.\u201d

\u201cSo how\u2019s it come to pass that your nearly monastic little brother\u2019s out getting his rocks off while you\u2019re sitting in here stewing in your own juices?\u201d Gabriel persisted.

\u201cDude!<\/i> That\u2019s gross!<\/i>\u201d Dean protested with a grimace. \u201cAnd hey, not even I can get lucky all the time. We all have off nights.\u201d

Gabriel hummed skeptically. \u201cIf your idea of an off night is a hot blonde practically opening your fly with her teeth right there at the bar, Dean, I really<\/i> want to see what you consider hitting the jackpot. I should probably take notes.\u201d

It took a couple of seconds for the implication of that statement to sink in. \u201cFucking creeper angels!\u201d Dean cursed, sitting up to level another glare at Gabriel. \u201cWe\u2019re in the middle of the goddamn Apocalypse and you can\u2019t find anything better to do than spy on me and Sam?\u201d

Gabriel shrugged, unconcerned. Dean scowled down at the foot of his bed, where Gabriel had resumed his careless sprawl. He allowed himself a self-indulgent moment of imagining booting Gabriel\u2019s smug ass right off the mattress before giving it up as a catastrophically bad idea. Even discounting what Gabriel might do to him in retribution, they couldn\u2019t afford to piss off their most powerful ally. No matter how much he deserved a good, swift kick.

\u201cYeah, well,\u201d Dean finally said, leaning up against the headboard. Figured that Gabriel would drop in for a conversation Dean didn\u2019t want to have and actually have the attention span to stick around to see it through. \u201cShe wasn\u2019t my type.\u201d

\u201cSo you\u2019ve raised your standards, then?\u201d Gabriel scoffed. \u201cGorgeous and willing doesn\u2019t do it for you anymore?\u201d

Dean forced himself to shrug off the question. \u201cMaybe I\u2019m just not that into blondes these days.\u201d

\u201cTo each their own, I guess,\u201d Gabriel said dubiously, giving Dean a look of mingled pity and disbelief.

Dean just grunted, and let Gabriel read what he liked into the non-reply.

\u201cToo bad my baby brother hasn\u2019t figured out what his cock is for, yet,\u201d Gabriel continued idly. \u201cI\u2019m sure he could help you out with that.\u201d

Hard as he tried, Dean couldn\u2019t -- could not<\/i> -- completely suppress his reaction to that not-so-casual comment. And by Gabriel\u2019s suddenly intent expression, he hadn\u2019t missed it, either. Hell, he\u2019d probably set Dean up for that one.

Goddamn it<\/i>, he swore mentally as Gabriel sat up and pinned Dean with a bright-eyed stare.

\u201cSo,\u201d Gabriel drawled, a sharp smirk curving his lips. \u201cYou prefer brunettes these days? Or maybe you\u2019ve developed a taste for blue eyes? Or trenchcoats?\u201d

\u201cYou shut the fuck up,\u201d Dean muttered. \u201cYou\u2019ve got no idea what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d

\u201cOh, no, Dean,\u201d Gabriel laughed and Jesus Christ<\/i> Dean wanted to punch him. \u201cYou\u2019re the one that doesn\u2019t get what\u2019s going on here. I understand just fine.\u201d

\u201cUnderstand what<\/i>?\u201d Dean bluffed. \u201cJust because I didn\u2019t let some chick blow me in the bathroom doesn\u2019t mean --\u201d

\u201cDoesn\u2019t mean that you aren\u2019t ass over teakettle for your guardian angel?\u201d Gabriel cut in, and the sure knowledge in his eyes strangled Dean\u2019s half-assed denials in his throat.

Well, shit<\/i>. There went any hope of lying his way out of the fact that he\u2019d somehow been stupid enough to go and fall for Cas<\/i>, of all people. At least Gabriel didn\u2019t look angry<\/i> about it. Dean didn\u2019t think he\u2019d survive Gabriel\u2019s version of the overprotective older brother routine.

\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter if I am,\u201d Dean finally answered. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing he can do about it and nothing I\u2019d ask him to do about it.\u201d

\u201cHuh,\u201d Gabriel said thoughtfully, leaning back as he considered Dean\u2019s response. \u201cOkay, you get points for having the balls to admit it. More or less. And the brains not to push the issue.\u201d

Dean shrugged. \u201cLike you said, my standards are gorgeous and willing.\u201d

And Cas, as much as Dean wished otherwise, was only one of the two. Sure, Dean could probably talk him into giving that vessel of his a trial run. Cas had already proven that he\u2019d do some truly ridiculous shit if Dean asked. But there were some lines Dean wasn\u2019t willing to cross, and sometimes acquiescence wasn\u2019t the same thing as consent.

\u201cBlonde in the bar was both,\u201d Gabriel pointed out.

\u201cYeah, well.\u201d Dean shifted uncomfortably. \u201cLike I said, I wasn\u2019t in the mood.\u201d

And hadn\u2019t that<\/i> been a kick in the ass when Dean realized it. If he\u2019d known that developing feelings<\/i> for Cas would interfere with the casual sex Dean had been enjoying most of his life, he\u2019d have worked harder at avoiding that little epiphany.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow and whistled, low and surprised. \u201cMan, you do<\/i> have it bad.\u201d

\u201cShut up<\/i>,\u201d Dean ordered, rubbing a hand over his face. \u201cI know.\u201d

Gabriel shook his head. \u201cYou two are absolutely disgusting, you know that?\u201d

\u201cI know<\/i>,\u201d Dean grumbled, aiming for annoyed instead of embarrassed. \u201cWait -- \u2018you two\u2019?\u201d

\u201cWell, yeah. Castiel\u2019s every bit as gone on you as you are on him. He adores<\/i> you. It\u2019s honestly kind of sickening,\u201d Gabriel complained.

\u201cUh, sorry about that?\u201d Dean managed, trying to hide the warmth that Gabriel\u2019s declaration had kindled in his chest.

Gabriel rolled his eyes. \u201cIf you were really sorry, you would stop that<\/i>. Keep this up and you\u2019ll put me<\/i> into sugar shock.\u201d

\u201cIf it\u2019s so revolting, you could always just go away<\/i>,\u201d Dean suggested hopefully.

\u201cNice try,\u201d Gabriel said. \u201cBut we\u2019re not talking about my<\/i> feelings here.\u201d

\u201cOh hell<\/i>, no. My dick hasn\u2019t actually fallen off in the last twelve hours or so, thanks,\u201d Dean announced briskly. \u201cSo if you just came here to hang out and play Dr. Phil, you can consider it done and please fuck off now.\u201d

Gabriel\u2019s smug little smile widened into something sharper. \u201cGlad to hear everything\u2019s still in working order, \u2018cause I wasn\u2019t thinking of playing that kind of doctor.\u201d

This time, Dean did<\/i> drop his beer, but he was too busy gaping at Gabriel to pay attention as the bottle emptied its contents onto the cheap carpet.

\u201cHope you didn\u2019t pay a deposit for this rat hole,\u201d Gabriel remarked as he peered over the edge of the bed.

\u201cWhat?\u201d Dean asked faintly.

\u201cI\u2019m pretty sure questionable puddles or stains mean you lose your --\u201d

\u201cNot that!\u201d Dean snapped. \u201cWhat you said before!\u201d

\u201cOh, that<\/i>.\u201d Gabriel returned his attention to Dean, smile quirking at what had to be an utterly gobsmacked expression. \u201cI thought I was being clear enough. What part did you need explained?\u201d

\u201cThe part where you\u2019re coming on to me!\u201d

Gabriel shrugged. \u201cYou\u2019ve lost your taste for one night stands with strangers and sometimes I get tired of making my own fun. Seems like we could help each other out.\u201d

\u201cHelp each other out,\u201d Dean repeated flatly.

Gabriel nodded and fuck<\/i> but he\u2019d not-quite-moved somehow and the minute shift of his position had left him on display<\/i>. Dean swallowed hard and tried to muster a glare at the manipulative little shit, but Gabriel just grinned unrepentantly at him. Dean had always had a weakness for wicked smiles like that, all heated appreciation and open invitation.

Gabriel wasn\u2019t human, Dean reminded himself a bit desperately, and the poor bastard he was wearing wasn\u2019t the kind of guy Dean would normally give a second look. And he was an asshole<\/i>, with a vicious sense of humour, too -- important not to forget that part.

\u201cWhat the hell game are you playing now, Gabriel?\u201d Dean demanded, voice coming out rougher than he would have liked.

\u201cHonest offer,\u201d Gabriel told him, straightening slightly out of his calculated slouch to catch Dean\u2019s eyes with his own and hold the look in apparent sincerity. \u201cNo tricks, no traps, no strings.\u201d

Dean raised a skeptical eyebrow. \u201cSo -- what? You just want to help me take care of this case of blue balls out of the goodness of your heart?\u201d

\u201cNothing altruistic about this,\u201d Gabriel assured him, smile spreading slow and satisfied across his face when Dean failed to protest the light grip of the hand that reached out and wrapped around his ankle.

\u201cOh yeah?\u201d Not Dean\u2019s best comeback ever but he was busy not-reacting to the ticklish brush of fingers stroking beneath the cuff of his jeans.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. \u201cFishing for compliments?\u201d

\u201cFishing for an explanation<\/i>. You still haven\u2019t said anything about why<\/i> the sudden interest.\u201d

\u201cStubbornness is not always a virtue, you know,\u201d Gabriel complained, flinging his free hand up in exasperation. \u201cIt makes it annoyingly hard to do anything nice<\/i> for you.\u201d

\u201cI don\u2019t trust nice things,\u201d Dean answered without thinking. Nice had never been Gabriel\u2019s style, anyway.

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Gabriel sighed dramatically.

When Gabriel\u2019s hand slipped away from his leg and the bed dipped sharply under his movement, Dean was relieved. Really. Hopefully, Gabriel had finally satisfied whatever impulse had driven him to come pester Dean in the first place. Dean returned his attention to the tv, not bothering to watch him leave.

He supposed that meant he had no one to blame but himself when he was caught off guard by the shove that flattened him against the headboard as a warm, heavy weight settled across his thighs.

\u201cLook, Dean,\u201d Gabriel said as he straddled his lap. \u201cI\u2019m not sure what your problem is here. Castiel loves you right down to the tiniest bits of your admittedly interesting soul but he\u2019s got no understanding of fleshly matters and he knows<\/i> it. He could care less if you bang every perky bartender from here to Canada -- they make you smile, and they don\u2019t touch that torch you\u2019re carrying for him.\u201d

\u201cFine. I can go ahead and fuck my way across the country guilt-free. But are you sure he won\u2019t have an issue with you<\/i> taking a number? You\u2019re not exactly a perky bartender,\u201d Dean pointed out, squeezing the angular hips on which his hands had reflexively settled.

\u201cWho do you think told me where to find you? Besides, I could be,\u201d Gabriel told him, tipping a sly smile his way before reality shivered around him and Dean found his lap full of curvy, smiling brunette.

Dean remembered her. She\u2019d been a bartender, all right, in a town with a poltergeist problem. Sam and Dean had ostensibly stopped in for a drink, though they were actually more interested in the gossip and the pool tables in the back. Her name was Alex, he thought, and she\u2019d been well<\/i> worth looking at. (Even if it was the blueness of her eyes that had kept him glancing back at her.) He\u2019d still put her off when her flirting took on a too-interested edge. Damn<\/i>, but Gabriel did know how to pick them.

And yeah, Gabriel had great<\/i> taste but Dean wasn\u2019t going there.

Dean slid a hand up her back and gripped a handful of her long, sleek hair. \u201cCut that out,\u201d he said firmly. \u201cYou want to make a case for us getting it on? Fine. Convince me yourself<\/i>.\u201d

\u201cYou sure?\u201d she asked, looking at him through her eyelashes as she traced her fingers across his chest.

\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d he told her, catching her hand in a tight grip. \u201cChange back<\/i>.\u201d

She pursed her lips in an unfairly attractive pout before her shoulders lifted in a resigned shrug.

\u201cGotta say, I\u2019m kind of surprised at you, Dean,\u201d Gabriel said as her face rippled and resumed its more familiar lines. \u201cWould have figured you for more adventurous than this.\u201d

\u201cI get plenty of adventure already, thanks,\u201d Dean retorted dryly. \u201cShow me that the reality\u2019s worth it before you try and sell me on the fantasy.\u201d

\u201cYou want the reality, huh?\u201d Gabriel checked with a grimace. \u201cNever been my favourite game to play.\u201d

\u201cYou were the one who said you were tired of making your own fun,\u201d Dean reminded him.

\u201cAnd whose fault is that?\u201d Gabriel demanded, poking a finger into Dean\u2019s chest. \u201cI was doing just fine<\/i> until you chuckleheads came along.\u201d

Dean snorted. \u201cSorry for making you give a shit,\u201d he apologized insincerely.

\u201cYou should be,\u201d Gabriel insisted sullenly. \u201cI was a whole lot happier when I didn\u2019t care any more.\u201d

\u201cYeah? And how was that working out for you?\u201d Dean snapped.

Gabriel might have been living the high life as a Trickster, but Dean knew a few things about wringing every last bit of cheap enjoyment out of life because you knew it wasn\u2019t going to last much longer and that the end wasn\u2019t going to be pretty.

Oh. Oh<\/i>. Well, shit. He\u2019d always known he and Gabriel had too much in common to be good for either of them.

...Which, Dean suddenly realized, didn\u2019t mean that they couldn\u2019t be good together<\/i>.

\u201cHuh,\u201d he said, tightening the grip of his hand which had somehow settled on the back of Gabriel\u2019s neck when he\u2019d ditched the long hair.

Gabriel arched shamelessly into the contact, and Dean\u2019s mouth went dry.

As far as angel-related epiphanies went, Dean had had worse. At least this one promised some pretty spectacular sex.

Dean licked his lips and had to admit that it was kind of gratifying to see Gabriel\u2019s eyes follow the movement with interest. \u201cSo I\u2019m starting to rethink your suggestion of a helping hand,\u201d he admitted.

\u201cOh yeah?\u201d Gabriel asked, sliding impossibly closer to breathe the question against Dean\u2019s lips.

Dean answered by catching Gabriel\u2019s mouth with his.

\u201cFinally!\u201d Gabriel muttered between kisses, and Dean could practically taste<\/i> the smugness of his smile. \u201cHe gets it!\u201d

And okay, no. Good idea or not, Dean wasn\u2019t just going to lay back and let Gabriel get his gloat on.

Clamping one hand on Gabriel\u2019s shoulder and the other at his hip, Dean surged forward and twisted, reversing their positions and pinning Gabriel to the mattress beneath him. Gabriel allowed himself to be manhandled, grinning up at Dean in open delight.

\u201cOh, I\u2019ll show you who\u2019s going to get it,\u201d Dean promised, lowering his head to trail his lips across the sharp line of Gabriel\u2019s jaw.

Gabriel laughed (breathless appreciation sounded good<\/i> on him, Dean noted absently) and tilted his head back encouragingly.

\u201cBring it on,\u201d he challenged, spread out under Dean like an invitation. \u201cI can take anything you can dish out.\u201d

After that, there was nothing left but to make Gabriel prove it. Which he did. At great length. To their mutual satisfaction.

The next day, Sam was so baffled by Dean\u2019s excessive cheer that he forgot to be cranky about tromping through the beer spilled all over the motel carpet.

Fin<\/b><\/a>


The Masterpost<\/a> for the Crawl To Your Foothill<\/i> series."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:22273","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/22273.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=22273"}}],"title":"[Thor\/SPN] FIC: Building Bridges","published":"2013-02-04T19:16:23Z","updated":"2013-02-04T22:38:19Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"thor"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"supernatural"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> Building Bridges
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Gen
Rating:<\/b> PG-13
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 3500
Warnings:<\/b> Nothing worse than would be found in either canon.
Summary:<\/b> Thor\u2019s search for his brother leads him to a meeting with a new brother-in-arms.
Notes:<\/b> Goes AU after the Thor movie and early S5, respectively.


Building Bridges<\/b>


The battle was going poorly for the beleaguered human warrior when Thor arrived on the field. Rumours of attacks by monstrous creatures had drawn him back to Midgard on his quest for Loki, vanished into the void between realms after their father\u2019s denouncement of his actions. But yet again, it seemed that whispers of dark magic had led him astray; there was no sign of his brother in either the vicious beasts or the human around whom they circled. Well, then. At least the scene presented a deserving target for Thor\u2019s frustration.

Thor dove into the fight with abandon, Mjolnir whirling at his side and electricity crackling in his wake. He tore into the midst of the foul creatures and sent them scattering, leaving the human to stumble to safety. Thor paid sufficient attention to be sure he\u2019d cleared the strike zone of both hammer and lightning before he allowed his focus to narrow to dispatching the monsters. It was the work of only moments for the last of them to fall.

When the last of the creatures\u2019 reflexive twitches had eased into final stillness, Thor glanced over at the human whose life he\u2019d intervened to save. He\u2019d pressed his back to a tree but seemed uninjured, barring the rapid blinking of his eyes, no doubt dazzled by the lightning Thor had summoned.

\u201cAre you well, fellow warrior?\u201d Thor inquired, granting the human the honour of the title due to the fearless stand he\u2019d made against an overwhelming number of stronger foes.

He seemed startled to be thus addressed, eyebrows raising before he squinted at his rescuer. Thor noted the steadiness of his hands with approval, as well as the ready ease with which he held his firearm. Prepared but not dangerously paranoid, then. Very impressive.

\u201cI\u2019m good,\u201d he finally answered. \u201cAnd hey, thanks for the save. That was quite the show.\u201d

Thor inclined his head proudly.

\u201cBut I gotta ask, dude,\u201d he continued, eyes narrowing further as he examined Thor more closely. \u201cWhat\u2019s with the metal suit? And the hammer? And the flying<\/i>? ...What did you say your name was again?\u201d

\u201cI had not yet granted you my name,\u201d Thor corrected, \u201cbut I give it freely now. I am Thor Odinson and you are welcome \u2018for the save\u2019.\u201d

\u201cThor,\u201d the human repeated flatly. \u201cAs in, Thunder God Thor?\u201d

\u201cThe same,\u201d Thor assured him wryly. New Mexico had taught him better than to assume the stories associated with his name were still respected on Midgard, even with the recent battle as evidence for his existence. But the human surprised him.

\u201cOf course you are,\u201d he sighed, tucking his firearm under his leather jacket. \u201cNow we\u2019ve got Viking gods running around the place?\u201d

\u201cYou believe me?\u201d Thor asked, startled.

The human grinned. \u201cYou aren\u2019t even the strangest thing I\u2019ve seen this week<\/i>,\u201d he replied. \u201cAnd the name\u2019s Dean. Dean Winchester.\u201d

\u201cWell met, Dean Winchester.\u201d

\u201cUh, right. Well met to you too,\u201d Dean said. \u201cSo what\u2019s a thunder god doing hanging around these parts? Other than frying those fugly bastards?\u201d

\u201cThat isn\u2019t reason enough?\u201d Thor answered lightly. \u201cThough it was indeed these creatures I sought. I had hoped they might lead me to my brother, who has gone missing and whose hand can most often be spotted in magical goings-on.\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019re looking for your brother?\u201d Dean\u2019s expression softened into something akin to sympathy.

\u201cI am,\u201d Thor confirmed, swallowing past the tightness in his throat. \u201cLoki is lost and I wish to find him.\u201d

\u201cLoki, huh? Well, who else were you expecting?\u201d Dean muttered under his breath before he raised his voice. \u201cSo what happened?\u201d

\u201cWe wronged each other. And though the first offense may have been mine, Loki struck the harshest blow.\u201d The admission was painful -- both that he\u2019d failed his brother so badly and that Loki had lashed out so fiercely in return. \u201cBefore I could set things to rights between us, he was gone. Fallen from the Bifrost and vanished between worlds.\u201d

\u201cFallen from the what<\/i> now?\u201d Dean asked.

\u201cThe Bifrost. The Rainbow Bridge that connects Asgard to the other realms,\u201d Thor explained shortly, tightening his grip on Mjolnir in a futile effort to override the sensation of Loki\u2019s hand slipping from his.

\u201cSo -- what?\u201d Dean scoffed. \u201cYou just let him fall?\u201d

\u201cLet<\/i> him?\u201d Thor bristled at the scorn in his voice. \u201cI did no such thing! I did everything I could to stop him!\u201d

\u201cLike hell you did!\u201d Dean shot back. \u201cIf you did such a great job, then where is he?\u201d

\u201cHave a care, Dean Winchester,\u201d Thor warned, anger in his voice echoed by a rumbling overhead. \u201cYou speak of matters beyond your understanding.\u201d

Dean snorted, completely unintimidated. \u201cWhat\u2019s there to understand? I don\u2019t know how you fucked up or what he did to you. But I do know that if your brother falls off of some bisexual bridge, you jump off after him! You don\u2019t just let him go!\u201d

Rage whited out Thor\u2019s vision and swept away the last of his restraint.

\u201cI tried<\/i>!\u201d he roared. \u201cMy father held me fast to the bridge. And yes, I tried to break free. So hard that I wore the bruises of his grip for weeks<\/i>!\u201d

And none of it -- none of it -- was a comfort against the memory of the utter desolation on Loki\u2019s face as he let go.

\u201cDo not presume to tell me<\/i> I did not do enough,\u201d he whispered hoarsely. \u201cI would tear the worlds apart to see him safe again.\u201d

Silence stretched between them for a moment, then Dean smirked. \u201cGood. That\u2019s more like it.\u201d

His approval was oddly warming and Thor smiled wanly but the sound of shouting prevented him from finding a response.

\u201cDean! Dean!<\/i> Where are you?\u201d

Dean\u2019s expression widened into a full grin.

\u201cOver here, Sam!\u201d he shouted over his shoulder. \u201cMy<\/i> brother the troublemaker -- and my personal pain in the ass,\u201d he added by way of explanation.

Ah. That went a ways towards explaining his earlier outburst.

Curious now, Thor turned his attention to the sound of someone approaching the line of trees behind them.

\u201cWhere the hell have you been?\u201d Sam demanded as he emerged into view, gun clenched in a white-knuckled hand. \u201cYou were supposed to be -- whoa!\u201d

His eyes went wide at the broken and scorched corpses littered around them and flicked assessingly over Thor before he focused on Dean, examining him with concern.

\u201cWhat happened? Are you okay?\u201d

\u201cI\u2019m fine. Thanks to the big guy over here,\u201d Dean assured him breezily, slapping a familiar hand against Thor\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYou out here alone?\u201d

\u201cNo,\u201d Sam replied distractedly, kicking lightly at the nearest body. \u201cWeird. These things don\u2019t look anything<\/i> like the descriptions in the lore. And he\u2019s back at the car. He freaked out a bit when the weather went nuts.\u201d

\u201cHe\u2019s responsible for that, too,\u201d Dean said, jerking a thumb back at Thor as he moved forward to catch Sam by the elbow and tow him back the way he came. \u201cYou mind if we move this little chat? We\u2019re taking care of a stray these days and leaving him alone for too long isn\u2019t a good idea.\u201d

\u201cA stray?\u201d Thor inquired, following them agreeably.

\u201cYeah. Poor bastard was at ground zero for something nasty,\u201d Dean explained. \u201cHe got a bit, uh, scrambled. We\u2019re taking him to a friend, see if he can help him out. Sam, stop staring. Guy showed up out of the blue -- literally -- to save my ass and wasn\u2019t even a dick about it. He gets a paranoia pass.\u201d

Sam rolled his eyes. \u201cBecause we have such luck with trusting miraculous rescues?\u201d he sniped.

\u201cBetter than the other kind,\u201d Dean retorted smoothly but Thor didn\u2019t miss the tightening of his shoulders.

Sam\u2019s expression darkened for a moment before he sighed in apparent regret. \u201cYeah, true enough,\u201d he conceded quietly.

Dean scrubbed a hand over his face. \u201cLet\u2019s just get back to the car. No offense, dude, but this isn\u2019t a story I feel like telling twice.\u201d

\u201cI would imagine that it becomes no easier with repetition,\u201d Thor agreed cheerfully, unable to follow the undercurrents of their conversation and unwilling to risk disturbing them further.

\u201cNot so much, no,\u201d Dean said as they stepped out of the trees.

There was a sleek black vehicle waiting at the edge of the forest, gleamingly discordant with its sylvan surroundings. A lean figure was perched on its nose, face tipped up to the sky.

\u201cAnother victory for the forces of free will?\u201d he asked without taking his eyes from the slow-moving swirl of clouds overhead.

If Thor had had any breath left to lose, the light question would have knocked it out of him. But he\u2019d faltered the instant he\u2019d seen the man leaning back on his hands as he stared up and out at the heavens. He\u2019d know that profile anywhere.

\u201cLoki.\u201d The whisper slipped past his lips unbidden but its effect was electric.

\u201cNo way!\u201d Dean breathed even as Sam cut in with a sharp, \u201cWhat did you say?\u201d

Thor ignored them, distantly grateful that Dean intervened and dragged Sam back and out of the way. His focus had narrowed to Loki, gone totally, terribly still.

Thor checked his reflexive surge forward when a miniscule flinch cracked Loki\u2019s frozen stillness. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to rush to his brother\u2019s side and reassure himself that Loki was here and alive but even without moving, Loki had drawn back into himself and was braced tightly, as if for a blow.

\u201cLoki,\u201d Thor repeated, unable to keep the rawness out of his voice. Never before had he missed Loki\u2019s knowledge and deft understanding of people as he did now. Delicacy had never numbered amongst Thor\u2019s gifts; his hands had always been more suited to battle and rough affection. He\u2019d always had Loki to aid him navigate situations that called for a more refined touch.

How like Loki to present him with an impossible challenge, Thor thought as he stared helplessly at the visible edge of a too-familiar closed off expression. That the only person who might help him span the divide and reach his brother was Loki himself would no doubt amuse him, were he in a position to laugh about it.

\u201cLoki, please<\/i>,\u201d he finally said softly.

Thor didn\u2019t have a sufficient command of words to persuade his brother to speak with him. He\u2019d never followed the subtleties that Loki manipulated so effortlessly and recent events had forced him to recognize that perhaps he knew his brother far less than he\u2019d assumed. No, Thor would not win Loki over with words. But Thor loved him still and he trusted -- hoped -- that despite Loki\u2019s recent flirtation with madness, he would still hear and respond to the naked appeal Thor had just made.

His heart leapt at Loki\u2019s quiet sigh and the infinitesimal slump of his shoulders. Thor held his tongue as Loki slowly straightened where he sat, carefully shifting his seat on the polished metal. He was alarmed at how gingerly Loki moved, holding himself as one who had been grievously hurt and had yet to recover. It left him swallowing a lurch of concern at the memory of Dean\u2019s offhand explanation that their stray had been \u201cscrambled\u201d by some unpleasant encounter. That his journey through the void hadn\u2019t killed Loki outright was a joyful surprise; Thor expected that thinking he might have survived it without injury was a naive hope.

He took the opportunity offered by Loki\u2019s shuffling to examine him, alert to any sign of what his brother might have suffered before encountering the Winchesters. He was attired in clothing similar to that which the Winchesters wore, reminiscent of what Jane had lent to him after his own fall. To Thor\u2019s immense relief, Loki appeared whole, but he was thin and paler than Thor had ever seen him. Worse, he seemed diminished<\/i>, fragile in a way that could not be explained by the wariness in his expression as he cautiously lifted his eyes to Thor\u2019s.

\u201cHello, Thor,\u201d he offered at last. \u201cCome to take me back to Asgard, then? Or are you to carry out my sentence where you found me?\u201d

\u201cWhat? No!\u201d Thor protested, even as the Winchesters inserted themselves back into the conversation.

\u201cWait - what<\/i>?\u201d Dean demanded, planting himself between Thor and Loki.

\u201cWill someone please tell me what the hell is going on here?\u201d Sam asked crossly, even as he followed his brother\u2019s lead and positioned himself in front of Loki.

\u201cYou all right?\u201d Dean checked with Loki, who shrugged.

\u201cThat remains to be seen.\u201d

\u201cSeriously,\u201d complained Sam. \u201cWould really like to be tossed a clue, here.\u201d

\u201cBecause no one said anything<\/i> about passing sentence!\u201d Dean continued.

\u201cI<\/i> certainly didn\u2019t say anything of the sort,\u201d Thor commented dryly, folding his arms across his chest.

That brought everyone up short, leaving them all trading glances in a suspicious, awkward silence, before Loki\u2019s frigid calm gave way to rusty chuckles.

\u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s more absurd,\u201d he managed, \u201cyou standing there like a scolded puppy or these two thinking they have any hope of stopping you.\u201d

\u201cHey!\u201d Dean replied, stung.

\u201cThough your concern is appreciated, of course,\u201d Loki added smoothly, favouring them with a sweet smile.

\u201cOh, I should have seen through you weeks ago,\u201d Dean commented appreciatively. \u201cLoki, huh?\u201d

Loki dipped his head in silent acknowledgement, quirking a grin at Sam\u2019s wide-eyed stare and whispered curse.

\u201cI thought you said your name was Lukas?\u201d Dean prompted, affectionately accusing.

\u201cWhen I first met you, you were carrying false government ID and you introduced yourself as Agent Hagar,\u201d Loki pointed out.

\u201cTouche,\u201d Dean conceded easily. \u201cThough I think \u2018secretly a Norse God,\u2019 trumps \u2018secretly a badass hunter\u2019.\u201d

\u201cYou say \u2018badass hunter\u2019, I say \u2018suicidally reckless\u2019--\u201d

\u201cAnyway<\/i>,\u201d Dean interrupted hastily, \u201cfor what it\u2019s worth, I think you ought to give the big guy a chance.\u201d

Loki\u2019s skepticism was evident but Dean shook his head.

\u201cI mean it,\u201d he insisted gently, laying a careful hand on Loki\u2019s narrow shoulder. \u201cWe talked a bit before and he said he was here looking for you. Seemed pretty sincere about wanting to make sure you were okay.\u201d

That Loki seemed surprised<\/i> at this assertion left Thor\u2019s chest feeling constricted and he was grateful for the momentary respite offered by Dean cheerfully bullying Sam away from the conversation.

\u201cWe\u2019ll go make sure there\u2019s no more of those whatever the hell they were hanging around!\u201d he called as he hustled his brother back into the trees. \u201cYou two play nice! And don\u2019t hurt my baby!\u201d

\u201cReally, Dean?\u201d Sam grumbled, tugging at his arm, securely in Dean\u2019s grasp. \u201cThey\u2019re Norse gods with communication issues and you\u2019re worried about the car<\/i>?\u201d

\u201cWell, how else are we going to get back to town? I\u2019m not in the mood to walk thirty miles of dirt road. Are you? Besides, I thought you wanted to know what was going on?\u201d

\u201cWell, yeah. But --\u201d

\u201cOkay, so you know how the weather went kind of psycho a while back?\u201d Dean stared, blithely talking over Sam\u2019s protests as they vanished from sight.

Good men, these Winchesters. Thor owed them a debt for the care they\u2019d taken with Loki.

Loki, the brother he\u2019d failed. His brother, who\u2019d extracted his own vengeance in blood and fire and ice before leaving Thor bereft. Loki, who was watching him now with carefully affected caution. Thor had always known that Loki ran deeper than any of his artless surface displays but he\u2019d often failed to see past them. Even now, with so many of Loki\u2019s defenses stripped away, and the painful memory of that last, earnest battle between them, it was a struggle to read the emotion that flickered behind his pale eyes. Thor remembered Loki\u2019s face on the Bifrost, twisted in rage and grief and spite. He sought traces of them now, searching as deeply as he could see.

But Loki just looked tired<\/i>. Tired and resigned and lost. And for a split second, as his eyes darted away from Thor\u2019s, ashamed.

Thor spared a moment to wonder if he was being manipulated -- Loki was more than capable of it, he knew that -- but decided that it didn\u2019t matter. For all the injuries they had done each other, there could be no recovery from that if there was no trust between them. Getting his brother back, Thor decided, was worth leaving himself vulnerable. He\u2019d never been averse to taking risks, this would hardly be the time to start.

Besides, Thor wanted a word with whomever had brought his brother to this point. Loki had been hurt -- Loki was hurting still -- and that was unacceptable. Loki had been hurt enough<\/i>.

\u201cWhat happened to you?\u201d Thor asked, voice low and rough with the effort of suppressing the need to do<\/i> something.

Loki breathed out a sigh. \u201cThe void is perhaps somewhat less empty than its name would imply,\u201d was all he said.

Thor\u2019s imagination balked at the question of what manner of creature might inhabit the emptiness between worlds, but from the haunted abstraction their memory called to Loki\u2019s face, Thor knew they could be nothing but unpleasant.

\u201cAnd after?\u201d Thor prompted softly. \u201cThe Winchesters said that you ran afoul of \u2018something nasty\u2019 here and were dealt further injury.\u201d

Loki chuckled in answer, the sound darkly amused. \u201cMidgard has its own spectrum of powers, and they are readying for war,\u201d he explained. \u201cI had the misfortune of catching their attention when I...arrived. Both parties were quick to impress upon me the importance of choosing the correct side.\u201d

The skies above had darkened during Loki\u2019s carefully neutral recitation, and Thor forced himself to breathe past the growing anger triggered by those uninflected words. He did not dare guess at the means by which these beings might have attempted to convince his brother to join them, not when Loki still bore the signs of their attention in addition to the mark the void had left on him.

\u201cAre you all -- no, that\u2019s a foolish question I\u2019ve the eyes to answer myself. Will you be<\/i> all right?\u201d

\u201cI am recovering,\u201d Loki allowed, straightening where he sat, tipping his chin up to meet Thor\u2019s eyes again. It had ever been Loki\u2019s way to use displays of weakness as strength in disguise, and Thor was relieved to find him unchanged in this. \u201cGiven time, there will be no lasting effects.\u201d

\u201cThis is most welcome news,\u201d Thor said, the words a meagre expression of the joy singing through his heart. He had finally found Loki, safe and reasonably sound. Very little else could<\/i> have been this welcome.

\u201cI expect you are amongst the very few that would say so,\u201d Loki returned evenly. \u201cI doubt few in Asgard would welcome my return, save if you have indeed come to fetch me home for proper judgement.\u201d

\u201cI would do no such thing,\u201d Thor declared, lifting one hand and wrapping it carefully around the back of Loki\u2019s neck. Loki shivered under his touch but didn\u2019t protest the contact. \u201cNot even if Father himself ordered it.\u201d

\u201cNo?\u201d Loki inquired, tilting his head carefully within Thor\u2019s grip. \u201cEven after your recent lessons in obedience?\u201d

\u201cIt may have been my disobedience that earned his ire but Father sought to teach me wisdom, not servility. And that he had cause to punish me proves that yours were not the only mistakes made in this matter, Loki. I would not see you suffer further for the errors of others,\u201d Thor told him.

Loki\u2019s breath hitched at Thor\u2019s words and he swallowed hard. \u201cI see you have<\/i> changed. Perhaps Fa - Odin\u2019s lessons took root.\u201d

\u201cWe\u2019ve both changed, Loki,\u201d Thor said sadly. \u201cBut maybe such changes were necessary, at least in part. We could not stay children forever.\u201d

Loki nodded slowly, eyes searching Thor\u2019s face.

\u201cI have seen many things since the Bifrost,\u201d he said finally. \u201cBoth out amidst the stars and here on what I had, until recently, thought just a backwards ball of mud. Things both beautiful and terrible, capable of breaking a mind or inspiring a heart.\u201d

Thor blinked wetness out of his eyes and tightened his grip, anchoring Loki here.

\u201cBut I find,\u201d Loki continued, reaching up to clasp a hand around Thor\u2019s wrist, \u201cdespite all that has passed between us and everything I have experienced since then... I find that it is good to see you, brother.\u201d

Beyond words, Thor wrapped his free arm around Loki and drew him tight against his chest. Loki sagged against him, one arm wrapping with desperate strength around Thor\u2019s waist. Thor simply cradled him close, pressing a fiercely protective kiss to the crown of his brother\u2019s head. Much remained unspoken between them, and Thor suspected matters with the Winchesters were not yet concluded, but those questions could wait. The princes of Asgard were reunited and had been granted another chance to make things right, a chance that Thor was determined would not go to waste.

Their enemies would do well to enjoy the respite.

Fin<\/b><\/a>


Notes:<\/b> Thanks to the lovely ladies over at Word Wars who encouraged and enabled this self-indulgent bit of crossover madness. :)"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:22095","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/22095.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=22095"}}],"title":"To anyone who's wondering where I've been...","published":"2013-01-28T12:41:29Z","updated":"2013-01-28T12:41:29Z","category":{"@attributes":{"term":"rambling"}},"content":"I popped in to Word Wars very briefly last week to say hi and relate a tale of woe before disappearing. (In a nutshell, I fell down the stairs last week, sprained my left knee & ankle. Not at all pleasant but much<\/i> less serious than it could have been.) It's kept me away from my computer in the evenings, since sitting at a computer desk is most definitively not<\/i> on the list of tolerated activities. Made worse by the fact that I have little choice but to do so all day long. Which sucks. I have started snagging my dad's laptop in the evenings for surfing purposes but haven't yet figured out how to set myself up to type reasonably competently on it. (I am, however, taking advantage of slow times in class & random fits of inspiration at home to pick out bits of fic as I can.)

So! Long story short, though I miss WW and the other lovely people of my acquaintance on the internet, I will likely continue to be generally absent for the next week or two at a minimum."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:21832","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/21832.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=21832"}}],"title":"[TW] FIC: Walking Too Far Ahead","published":"2013-01-24T14:16:57Z","updated":"2013-01-24T14:25:29Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"teen wolf"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> Walking Too Far Ahead
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> None (yet)
Rating:<\/b> PG
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 1600
Warnings:<\/b> Nope!
Summary:<\/b> Derek had always hated the smell of cigarettes.


Walking Too Far Ahead<\/b>

When Stiles finally showed up for the meeting that night, he was even more jittery than usual and reeked of cigarette smoke. Derek couldn\u2019t help the reflexive curl of his lip; he\u2019d always hated the smell of cigarettes, even before smoke had become irrevocably associated with death.

\u201cYou\u2019re late,\u201d Derek said flatly, folding his arms across his chest as Stiles hustled into the room. \u201cAnd you stink. Where\u2019ve you been?\u201d

\u201cWell, I\u2019m sorry if I\u2019m offending your delicate sensibilities,\u201d Stiles shot back, flinging his hands wide in exaggerated apology.

Derek\u2019s eyes narrowed as the sweep of Stiles\u2019 arms brought another familiar scent to his nose, the tang of blood suddenly sharply obvious under the smoke.

\u201cStiles!\u201d Scott was on his feet in the same instant, bounding across the room. \u201cWhat happened? Are you okay?\u201d

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Stiles assured him, allowing Scott\u2019s anxious once-over with better grace than Derek had expected. \u201cJust had a close call earlier.\u201d

\u201cWhat kind of close call?\u201d Isaac asked, having followed Scott at a more sedate pace. \u201cYou smell like blood,\u201d he added, almost accusingly.

\u201cSome asshole driving like a maniac in town,\u201d Stiles replied with a dismissive shrug. \u201cHe jumped the curb, almost ran me over.\u201d

\u201cHe what<\/i>?\u201d Scott demanded, tugging Stiles closer for another examination.

\u201cHe was speeding around and lost control of the car or something, I don\u2019t know,\u201d Stiles answered, flailing uselessly against Scott\u2019s manhandling. \u201cStop that! I\u2019m fine<\/i>. Some guy on the sidewalk knocked me out of the way. Smelled like an ashtray but he had great<\/i> reflexes.\u201d

\u201cSo why do you smell like raw meat?\u201d Derek put in as he took a few steps forward and caught Stiles\u2019 wrist in his hand. There was a suspiciously damp patch on the underside of Stiles\u2019 sleeve.

\u201cDude, gross<\/i>!\u201d Stiles protested with a spectacular grimace. \u201cCould we not ever<\/i> use that comparison again?\u201d

\u201cSo much for fine,\u201d Scott interrupted, plucking Stiles\u2019 wrist out of Derek\u2019s hand and scowling at his stained sleeve. \u201cYou\u2019re bleeding<\/i>.\u201d

\u201cYeah, because some guy knocked me over to keep me from getting hit by a car,\u201d Stiles explained impatiently. \u201cI\u2019m scraped to hell but it beats being dead, so I\u2019ll take it.\u201d

\u201cBetter than being flattened,\u201d Scott agreed. \u201cYou still keep a first aid kit in the Jeep?\u201d

\u201cLike my dad would let me drive around without it? Oh, come on<\/i>. Really?\u201d Stiles complained as Scott towed him out of the house.

\u201cYeah, really,\u201d Scott insisted when Stiles dug his heels in at the edge of the porch. \u201cLet me -- I -- I can fix this.\u201d

\u201cOkay, fine<\/i>,\u201d Stiles conceded after a brief, charged pause. \u201cBut don\u2019t get too enthusiastic about playing doctor, okay? Save it for Allison.\u201d

Scott snorted laughter and dragged a now-smirking Stiles down the steps.

Derek huffed an impatient sigh and turned his back on their little drama, retreating deeper into the house.

\u201cYou know, Derek\u2019s right about one thing,\u201d Scott commented lightly as they walked away. \u201cYou do kind of stink.\u201d

\u201cBlame the guy that pulled me out of the way!\u201d Stiles protested. \u201cOr y\u2019know, don\u2019t. Because of the life saving and all. But yeah, he must be the worst chain smoker in the history of ever. I<\/i> could probably track him by scent.\u201d

Derek grimaced despite himself.

\u201cI think Stiles keeps a change of clothes in the Jeep, too?\u201d Isaac offered from the doorway, nose wrinkling in sympathy.

\u201cGood. Get him to change while he\u2019s out there,\u201d Derek ordered, relieved when Isaac trotted obediently after them.

He didn\u2019t bother to listen in on their conversation so he didn\u2019t know why Stiles was scowling so fiercely when they trooped back in but he didn\u2019t really care. It was enough that Stiles returned smelling of antiseptic and gym clothes instead of blood and smoke.

* * *

A few days later, familiar voices prompted Derek to duck between the storefront of the coffee shop and the neighbouring bookstore before he could be spotted. He preferred to avoid the volleys of snark that Stiles would undoubtedly launch at him if he caught Derek doing anything as prosaic as wandering through town in broad daylight.

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to help me!\u201d Scott was begging shamelessly as they walked right past him. \u201cI am going to fail<\/i> that Chem midterm and Allison can\u2019t help me study and my mom will kill<\/i> me if I don\u2019t pass this test.\u201d

\u201cAm I supposed to be helping you with the Chemistry or with Allison?\u201d Stiles asked without looking up from his phone.

\u201cStiles!<\/i>\u201d Scott whined. \u201cWith Chemistry!\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019re buying my coffee,\u201d Stiles said firmly, finally stuffing his phone into a pocket.

\u201cYeah, yeah, yeah. Of course, whatever you want. Just make this freaking stuff make sense!\u201d

\u201cI\u2019m not a miracle worker but I\u2019ll see what I can - hey! It\u2019s that guy!\u201d Stiles suddenly exclaimed.

\u201cWhat guy?\u201d Scott demanded, head snapping around.

Derek saw Scott\u2019s nose wrinkle just as the stink of cigarette smoke his hit nose.

\u201cHey!\u201d Stiles called, hurrying forward. \u201cI wanted to thank you for the other day!\u201d

The guy that had just stepped out of the coffee shop stiffened before turning to face Stiles but he smiled easily enough.

\u201cNo worries, kid,\u201d he said. \u201cWasn\u2019t just going to stand there and let him hit you.\u201d

Derek reflexively assessed the guy as he and Stiles exchanged small talk. Derek was no believer in coincidences, not anymore. Good Samaritans made him nervous. This one didn\u2019t seem to be looking to trade on Stiles\u2019 gratitude but Derek took note of his appearance and what little he could make out of his scent through the haze of smoke. The guy seemed pretty unremarkable though: tall, close-cropped dark hair, dark eyes, in his late thirties, maybe early forties. Sturdy workboots, jeans and an olive jacket that would blend into any crowd.

Scott wasn\u2019t even trying to hide the once-over he was giving the guy, or the suspicion in his narrowed eyes. Derek couldn\u2019t blame him for that last bit -- there was something about this man that sent prickles up his spine. He didn\u2019t seem to be a threat but Derek knew dangerous when he saw it. Guy wasn\u2019t a wolf but he sure as hell wasn\u2019t harmless, either.

\u201cI was going to offer to buy your coffee but you\u2019re still sort of one step ahead of me,\u201d Stiles was saying, gesturing at the cup in the smoky guy\u2019s hand.

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d the smoky guy chuckled. \u201cI\u2019ll be sticking around for a bit anyway. You might get another chance.\u201d

It didn\u2019t take werewolf senses to read the curiosity that brightened Stiles\u2019 expression but he restrained himself to a mild, \u201cYeah?\u201d

\u201cYeah. Back in town to settle some...family problems.\u201d He scrubbed a hand over his short hair, mouth twisting into a frown.

Derek shoved down an unwelcome surge of memory. He knew that feeling from the inside out.

Scott and Stiles exchanged looks, unconsciously shuffling closer together as they turned identical sympathetic expressions on the smoky guy.

\u201cThey\u2019re the worst kind,\u201d Stiles commented with a wince.

\u201cYeah,\u201d Scott sighed agreement, suspicion momentarily forgotten. \u201cGood luck.\u201d

\u201cThanks. I\u2019ll need it.\u201d His answering smile was superficially wry but there was something familiar in its underlying bleakness. But whatever personal tragedy was lurking in those \u201cfamily problems\u201d, the guy snapped himself out of it pretty quickly.

\u201cI\u2019ll take a raincheck on the coffee,\u201d he added, waving an offhanded goodbye as he turned and walked away. \u201cSee you \u2018round, I guess.\u201d

\u201cSo I\u2019ll guess owe him one?\u201d Stiles muttered to the guy\u2019s retreating back as he shook off Scott\u2019s insistent tug at his arm. \u201cDude, what<\/i>?\u201d

\u201cThere is something weird<\/i> about that guy!\u201d Scott declared in a loud whisper.

\u201cSays the werewolf<\/i>,\u201d Stiles retorted but there was fondness in the roll of his eyes. \u201cWait, he\u2019s<\/i> not a werewolf, is he?\u201d

\u201cNo<\/i>, he\u2019s not but seriously!\u201d Scott persisted as Stiles flung an arm around his neck and dragged him into the coffee shop. \u201cThere\u2019s something really strange about him!\u201d

\u201cOkay, okay. Tell me all about it while we wait. I\u2019m definitely going to need caffeine if you\u2019re going to throw any more<\/i> weirdness at me today.\u201d

Derek didn\u2019t bother to track them further into the store, letting the sound of their voices blend into the buzz of conversation from inside the shop. He headed out into the street to put a safer distance between them while they were occupied with their coffee. Derek didn\u2019t think Scott would have much luck articulating what was bothering him about the guy with the smoky smell, no matter how good Stiles usually was at guessing what his best friend meant. Whatever it was they were picking up on, it was frustratingly elusive, some subtle signal that triggered their instincts all the wrong ways.

Maybe not even all the wrong<\/i> ways, Derek amended as he glanced down the street from his new vantage point. But there was something<\/i> about him that put Derek on alert.

The guy hadn\u2019t gone far. Just a few blocks down, where he\u2019d stopped in the middle of the street and was staring up at the sheriff\u2019s office with an unreadable expression on his face. For a second, the breath caught in Derek\u2019s chest as he stared at him -- what was<\/i> it about this guy? -- but then his shoulders lifted and dropped in a soundless laugh and the moment passed. Then he was just another guy, and Derek had bigger concerns. He\u2019d worry about Stiles\u2019 mystery rescuer if or when he proved himself a threat.

Given this town, it\u2019d probably happen sooner rather than later.

Fin<\/b><\/a>

Written a while ago but never posted. Found it while going through WIP folders, figured I might as well put it up. (Theoretically<\/i>, there is more to this story but this one does stand alone.)"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:21744","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/21744.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=21744"}}],"title":"[SPN] FIC: Faithful","published":"2013-01-24T00:41:31Z","updated":"2013-01-24T00:50:30Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"supernatural"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> Faithful
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Gen
Rating:<\/b> R (for language)
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 2700
Warnings:<\/b> Children being threatened
Summary:<\/b> Sometimes, the trouble wasn't of the shrunken angels' making.
Notes:<\/b> So earlier this week, I encountered the Ask SPN BB!verse<\/a> for the first time. And fell in love<\/i>. It's adorable and hilarious and highly, highly recommended. (And this coming from someone who doesn't read kidfic and prefers her angels powered-up!) Also, this fic won't make sense if you don't know the basic premise<\/a>. The blog owner welcomes contributions so I wrote this as a thank you. :)


Faithful<\/b>


At first, though Dean hadn\u2019t been thrilled at abruptly finding himself and Sam responsible for three miniaturized members of the Heavenly Host, he hadn\u2019t been worried. Kids were kids, right? And Dean had practically raised Sam, he was an old hand at taking care of kids. Most of the time, he even liked children. Though not even in his most fanciful daydreams of Life Beyond Hunting had he ever pictured himself stuck with a feathery brood of baby angels.

Cas was by far the easiest deal with. Dean liked adult Cas so liking baby Cas was a no-brainer. He was surprisingly unchanged as a kid: quiet, intense and prone to staring. A whole lot weepier and clingier than usual, sure, but Dean didn\u2019t mind that so much. Cas was a well-behaved dream<\/i> compared to his more rambunctious siblings, and indulging the little guy in the occasional bout of cuddling wasn\u2019t that<\/i> bad. (Though Dean would insist otherwise to Sam, of course.) The hardest thing to accept about the whole thing was the mental whiplash of seeing adult Cas\u2019 Very Serious Look on baby Cas\u2019 chubby little face.

Balthazar was a little trickier. He and Sam hadn\u2019t known the guy that well before he popped in to help Cas and got himself shrunk. He\u2019d seemed pretty decent for an angel, which was to say that he was an arrogant dick but not a murderous<\/i> arrogant dick. He and Cas had seemed like a mismatched pair to be friends, but what the hell did Dean know? Cas trusted him so that was good enough for Dean. Bobby was a little less sanguine about Balthazar, but that was less about him being an unknown quantity and more about the fact that Bobby couldn\u2019t hide his booze well enough to keep it away from the determined little alcoholic. Dean wouldn\u2019t have thought a such a small kid could have scaled Bobby\u2019s shelves like that, even one with wings.

Granted, their biggest troublemaker was the final member of their terrible trio. Little kid or not, Gabriel was still a disproportionately large pain in the ass. At first, they\u2019d hoped that having been reduced to a toddler with his powers limited to candy summoning would have imposed some kind of restrictions on Gabriel\u2019s ability to wreak havoc. They\u2019d been wrong<\/i>. If he wasn\u2019t the one stuck cleaning up half the little bastard\u2019s messes, Dean would almost be impressed.

Thank fuck for Disney movies. At least they had some way of keeping the kiddy angels occupied for a few hours here and there to concentrate on research. (Or napping. Or a good, stiff drink.) Unfortunately, this afternoon it looked like they weren\u2019t even going to get that much of a break. Dean found himself roused out of a research coma by the sound of a car pulling up in front of Bobby\u2019s house.

\u201cYou expecting anyone?\u201d he checked. Singer Salvage was a pretty well known stop on the hunter network, after all.

Bobby scowled. \u201cNo. And sure as hell not anyone that\u2019s got an open invitation.\u201d

Sam was already on his feet, heading for the living room. Dean stuck his head into the room as the kids raised a chorus of protests, subsiding quickly at Sam\u2019s hasty gesture. Say what you would about baby angels, but they caught on damn quick when something was up, Dean thought gratefully. Gabriel and Balthazar allowed Sam to scoop them up without protest as Dean went for Cas, plucking him off the couch and dropping him on Sam\u2019s shoulders. Dean jerked his head in the direction of the stairs and then followed the sound of Bobby\u2019s voice to the front door.

\u201c-- Bob Blake and Mac Lewis, out of Georgia,\u201d the man in the lead was saying. \u201cRufus says you\u2019re the best source of lore north of Texas.\u201d

Bobby\u2019s snort was eloquently unimpressed. \u201cRufus ever tell you it\u2019s polite to call first?\u201d

Lewis pulled off his baseball cap and scratched his head. \u201cGot a hot lead on a hunt,\u201d he explained shortly. \u201cDidn\u2019t think you\u2019d mind letting etiquette slip this once if it meant saving a few lives.\u201d

\u201cAnd just whose lives are you so interested in saving?\u201d Dean asked, not liking the eager smile that spread over the men\u2019s faces when their heads swung around and they caught sight of him.

Somehow, the guns they were suddenly brandishing didn\u2019t come as much of a surprise.

\u201cWe\u2019re looking to spare yours, if you cooperate,\u201d Lewis told them.

\u201cDon\u2019t even think about it,\u201d Blake warned Bobby, whose movement towards his own weapon apparently hadn\u2019t gone unnoticed. \u201cI can put a hole in your boy here before you can draw.\u201d

\u201cAnd who\u2019s going to keep me from shooting you?\u201d came Sam\u2019s voice from somewhere behind Lewis and Blake.

The dismay on their faces was priceless, and Dean didn\u2019t even bother trying to restrain his smirk. Sam had made even better time sneaking out the back than Dean had expected.

\u201cOh, stop grinning, you idiot,\u201d Bobby grumped. \u201cThis is ridiculous.\u201d

It kind of was, Dean had to admit. \u201cAll the more reason to smile, Bobby,\u201d he retorted cheerfully.

The levity seemed to remind Blake of his resolve and his aim steadied. \u201cYou can\u2019t get us both, Winchester. Not before I put one in your brother.\u201d

These assholes knew who they were? Oh, Dean was not liking this.

\u201cWe heard you guys were holed up here with Singer,\u201d Lewis put in, flicking his eyes between them. \u201cWord has it that you got your hands on something big and came running back to him for help. And there are some pretty crazy stories going around about what happened the last time you two were involved in something big.\u201d

Somehow Dean didn\u2019t think that explaining that they\u2019d fixed that little apocalypse mess they\u2019d started would go over well with these two.

\u201cOh yeah? Who are you getting your information from?\u201d he asked instead. Most of the hunters who were in a position to know what had happened were friends who knew better than to talk about it or dead. \u201c\u2018Cause if you\u2019ve been listening to the other side, I\u2019ve got to remind you -- demons lie.\u201d

\u201cFunny you should assume we\u2019ve been talking to demons, Winchester,\u201d Blake sneered. \u201cThey had some interesting things to say about you and your habit of not staying dead.\u201d

Goddamnit. Dean forced himself to relax and give the guy a skeptical stare. \u201cYou miss the part about the lying?\u201d

\u201cTell you what. You give us what we want and we won\u2019t put it to the test, all right?\u201d

Before Dean could ask what they wanted, there was a loud thump from upstairs.

God fucking<\/i> damn it.

Blake and Lewis went on high alert, guns raised in active threat.

\u201cAll right - you up there! You get down here right now<\/i> or I start shooting!\u201d Lewis shouted.

Don\u2019t you <\/i>dare, you little - Cas, if that was you, I hope your brothers are <\/i>sitting on you!<\/i> Dean thought, glaring fiercely at Blake instead of staring at the ceiling.

\u201cFirst bullet\u2019s going into Dean, here!\u201d Lewis threatened.

\u201cDon\u2019t listen to him! You stay where you are!\u201d Dean yelled, sighing explosively at the sound of feet pattering down the stairs towards them. Cas never had known when to stay out of Dean\u2019s messes -- his current toddler status being a prime example.

There was a scowl on that absurdly cute face when Cas peered around the doorway. \u201cWhy are these men threatening you?\u201d he demanded.

\u201cBecause they\u2019re assholes,\u201d Dean answered with a shrug.

\u201cIt\u2019s a kid!\u201d Blake muttered to Lewis. \u201cI never heard anything about Winchester having a kid!\u201d

\u201cNothing saying it\u2019s his kid. Look at the - holy shit<\/i>!\u201d Lewis yelped as Cas stepped out into the hallway, dark wings fluttering in agitation.

Blake turned a furious (terrified) look on Dean. \u201cWhat the hell<\/i> is going on here, Winchester?\u201d he asked, punctuating the demand with jabs of his gun.

\u201cOh, how cute,\u201d Balthazar drawled as he wandered into view. \u201cThey think we\u2019re from hell.\u201d

Gabriel snickered as he followed his brothers into the room. \u201cNot the sharpest knives in the block, are they?\u201d He spread his wings in illustration, feathers catching the light as he stepped through a conveniently placed sunbeam.

Flashy little bastard<\/i>, Dean thought in reluctant admiration. Gabriel\u2019s sense of showmanship hadn\u2019t been diminished by the curse in the least.

From the start, Dean had wondered at the difference in their angels\u2019 wings. He\u2019d never managed to get a straight answer on the issue of colour and he\u2019d been unwilling to ask about the variation in sizes. So Gabriel\u2019s wings were larger than his brothers, with a fuller, more impressive span. No big deal -- Dean just put it down to him being an archangel. If the muted gold of his wings seemed to gleam a little more brightly than seemed natural, well. What else about this situation was natural?

There was nothing subtle about the shine of his wings now. They nearly glowed in the sunlight as he stretched them wide before folding them against his back.

\u201cHell,\u201d he snorted derisively as he dodged past Dean\u2019s reflexive grab and walked right up to Blake and Lewis. \u201cAs if.\u201d

As enthralled as the two men might have been at the tiny winged kid staring fearlessly up at them, they were quick to react when Dean moved to take advantage of their distraction.

\u201cDon\u2019t move,\u201d Lewis said automatically.

Dean held up his hands in surrender, swearing a mental blue streak. He could hear floorboards creaking as Sam shifted restlessly on the porch.

\u201cLook, he\u2019s just a kid,\u201d Sam started.

\u201cJust a kid?\u201d Lewis repeated incredulous. \u201cHow many kids you know have wings<\/i>, Winchester?\u201d

\u201cThey\u2019re about to have one less,\u201d Blake announced, making a grab for Gabriel\u2019s arm. \u201cYou\u2019re coming with us.\u201d

\u201cWhat? No!\u201d Gabriel protested, hopping backwards.

\u201cI said, you\u2019re coming with us,\u201d Blake said flatly, shifting his aim to the other two angel kids hovering anxiously nearby.

If looks could kill, Blake would be a smoldering heap of ashes at this point, Dean was sure. Even Bobby was glaring death at the man. The only thing keeping Dean in place were the mental calculations that assured him that there was no way he could throw himself in front of the kids before that gun could go off. They knew the angels were still made of sturdy stuff -- Gabriel and Balthazar had scared the hell out of all of them in the first week by picking a fight at the top of the stairs and knocking themselves down the whole flight in a squalling mass of limbs, only to walk away with nothing worse than bruises -- but that didn\u2019t mean Dean was happy to see a gun pointed at Cas.

\u201cI don\u2019t know about this,\u201d Lewis was saying uneasily. \u201cThey\u2019re kids<\/i>...\u201d

\u201cShut up, you know what they said about these guys.\u201d

Lewis shook his head but apparently conceded the point. \u201cC\u2019mon, kid. Let\u2019s go.\u201d

Gabriel frowned but threw a considering look over his shoulder at Balthazar and Cas before allowing himself to be dragged into range.

\u201cGabriel! No!\u201d Castiel protested as Lewis wrapped his free arm around Gabriel\u2019s waist and hoisted him right off the ground.

\u201cPut him down!\u201d Balthazar added his voice to Castiel\u2019s alarm.

\u201cHey, don\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Gabriel said, twisting around in Lewis\u2019 grip to wink at his brothers. \u201cI got this.\u201d

Dean narrowed his eyes as Blake and Lewis backed away from the door. He\u2019d seen that look on Gabriel\u2019s face all too often before -- he was up to something.

Dean managed to nab Castiel as he darted past, a burst of swearing indicating that Bobby had snagged Balthazar en route. Angels secured, Dean led the way to the door, blinking hastily as they walked out into the daylight. Sam nodded tense acknowledgement as they joined him on the porch, eyes firmly on the hunters edging their way back to their car. Gabriel, heretofore suspiciously cooperative, began to squirm fretfully.

\u201cDon\u2019t start acting up now,\u201d Blake warned him, but the gun aimed at the porch didn\u2019t waver.

\u201cI\u2019ve changed my mind!\u201d Gabriel yelled, suddenly the very picture of a kid on the edge of a tantrum. \u201cI don\u2019t want to go with you!\u201d

Lewis tightened his grip, eyes widening in dismay. \u201cHey, now. Stop that.\u201d

\u201cNo!\u201d Gabriel shouted, pushing at Lewis\u2019 shoulder with one hand as he leaned back as far as he could, sucking in a huge gulp of air.

Dean winced, bracing himself for the outraged shriek that was sure to follow.

Gabriel whistled instead.

Dean clapped his hands over his ears, hunching his shoulders in a futile attempt to block the sound tearing its way through his head. He was distantly aware of the Sam and Bobby reacting similarly, could see Blake and Lewis flinching violently at the noise. He couldn\u2019t blame them; The only time he\u2019d ever heard anything like this was the day he\u2019d dug his way out of a shallow grave.

\u201cWhat the fuck<\/i> was that<\/i>?\u201d he heard Blake demanding when his ears finally stopped ringing.

\u201cI told you,\u201d Gabriel answered petulantly. \u201cI don\u2019t want to go with you.\u201d

\u201cScream like a banshee all you want,\u201d Blake snarled. \u201cI\u2019ll just stuff a --\u201d

A low, furious growl rumbled out from somewhere behind the piles of scrap littering Bobby\u2019s yard. Lewis spun one way and Blake turned the other as two dark, compact shapes prowled into view, sure-footedly navigating a path through the junk.

Behind him, Bobby\u2019s breath caught at the sight of his dogs, gone since the Winchesters had first led Meg to Bobby\u2019s door.

\u201cThe car!\u201d Lewis was urging frantically, backpedalling away from the dogs\u2019 aggressive lope. \u201cGet to the car!\u201d

Blake fumbled his weapon as he changed direction, trying to draw a bead and scrabble for the door handle at the same time. Lewis had lost his grip on Gabriel, whose small face had lost all hints of childishness, when the well-placed sweep of a wing had clipped his jaw. He abandoned the kid where he fell, turning his back and diving for the car. Sam and Dean had already bounded down the steps, and they reached the intruders about the same time as the dogs did. Probably a good thing, Dean noted internally, since for all the fierceness of their snapping jaws, the dogs cast no shadow.

The dust had settled by the time that Blake and Lewis had been satisfactorily restrained, so Dean took his time assessing the situation.

The dogs had made their way over to Bobby, who was down on one knee and rubbing a hand over their not-quite-substantial heads. \u201cGood dogs,\u201d he was praising gruffly, and Dean wasn\u2019t going to be the one who pointed out how wet his eyes were.

Balthazar and Cas had hurried over to Gabriel, who was picking himself up off the ground.

\u201cNicely done,\u201d Balthazar commented approvingly as Cas helped Gabriel dust himself off.

Gabriel lifted a shoulder in a minute shrug. \u201cI like dogs,\u201d he said.

Dean frowned, not liking how thin his voice sounded. \u201cYou all right over there?\u201d he called.

Instead of the sarcastic brush-off that Dean had half-expected, Gabriel just wilted<\/i>.

Alarm spiked through Dean as Gabriel crumpled back to the ground, but he was immediately reassured by the exasperated look that Balthazar and Cas exchanged before they crouched down next to him.

\u201cAlways with the dramatics,\u201d Dean sighed as he walked over to collect the kids, carefully not looking at the way Bobby\u2019s empty hand clenched into a fist as the dogs evaporated under his touch.

Gabriel slept for nearly three days solid after his little display. Cas and Balthazar still didn\u2019t seem all that worried, so Dean figured that meant Gabriel was going to be just fine. That trick with Bobby\u2019s dogs had been one hell of an exertion for the little guy, after all. Sure enough, a few days after Blake and Lewis\u2019 visit, Dean woke up in an extra warm bed. Finding himself in the centre of a nesting mass of baby angels almost made up for the discovery of the spray of rainbow candies stuck in his hair.

He huffed a laugh as he stared ruefully at his reflection and decided Gabriel had earned himself a freebie. Christ knew the little bastard would be crawling on his last nerve before long. Let the first prank be a relief, he decided. And if he stopped to give Gabriel\u2019s hair an affectionate scruffle before he got on with removing his new ornaments, and if Gabriel turned his face into the blankets to hide a smile, well. There was no one else awake to see.

Fin<\/b><\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:21502","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/21502.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=21502"}}],"title":"Is AO3 worth it?","published":"2013-01-14T05:03:50Z","updated":"2013-01-14T21:28:46Z","category":{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic request"}},"content":"I think I asked a variation on this already BUT. If there's anyone on my f-list who believes that a) I simply must<\/i> have an account there and b) has an invitation lying around, please get in touch?

At the urging of one of my STBB collaborators, I applied for an invitation over three months ago. I was supposed to get it in late December but never did. Finally checked at the site tonight and it says that they can't find a record of my e-mail or application or something? And now there's almost three times as many people waiting for an invite.

...So yeah. If my option is a six-month wait, I think I might give it a miss.

EDIT:<\/b> <\/a>kayim<\/b><\/a><\/span> is a wonderful, generous person and I now have an account! <3"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:21179","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/21179.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=21179"}}],"title":"[TF] FIC: The Tyranny of Petty Things","published":"2013-01-12T00:26:27Z","updated":"2013-01-12T03:23:00Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"transformers"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"transformers: g1"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> The Tyranny of Petty Things
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Fandom:<\/b> Transformers: G1
Rating:<\/b> PG
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 1700
Summary:<\/b> Being part of a combiner team means never being alone.
Notes:<\/b> Written for the December 2012 Anniversary Challenge over on <\/a>gestalt_love<\/b><\/a><\/span>. Rather than write 500+ words for a single prompt, I wrote 150-200 words for about ten of the prompts.


The Tyranny of Petty Things<\/b>

\u201cI fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things.\u201d ~ Antoine de Saint-Exup\u00e9ry


Vacation<\/b>

It started as a joke, a forgivably lighthearted way of defying the constant warfare of their lives. Where will we go, the Aerialbots asked themselves, on our next day off? It was idle speculation, of course -- the Autobot-Decepticon conflict didn\u2019t take days off -- but it helped pass the time on quiet patrols and long flights. Earth was a big planet and they hadn\u2019t explored any of it beyond what had passed under their wings while on duty. Of course, they agreed in this as well as they agreed on anything else, which was to say, not at all. Every discussion invariably degenerated into passionate arguing about which destination was the best. The current chief contenders were Japan (land of the best and craziest cartoons, according to Air Raid), playing tag amongst the icebergs of the Arctic (Fireflight was inexplicably fascinated with the sights of the far north), and making their way through the spread of history and cultures of Europe (normally quiet Skydive would rhapsodize for hours<\/i> if they let him). They hadn\u2019t yet managed to come to an agreement but Silverbolt was compiling a list and promised himself that one day, he\u2019d make sure his team got to see the places they were fighting for.


Empty<\/b>

It was a perfect night for flying. No crisis impelling them forward, no urgent recall to base. Just the Aerialbots, the glittering stars overhead and the fluffy cloudscape below. Skydive knew he was broadcasting contentment but he didn\u2019t mind. Quiet happiness echoed back to him through the team link and he was feeling just sentimental enough to be pleased at the thought of his wingmates either sharing his good humour or enjoying it. It couldn\u2019t last, of course. Silverbolt\u2019s nerves were starting to jangle and Slingshot was already grumbling something just below auditory range. Skydive had already had to herd Fireflight back into formation twice. They all knew it was just a matter of time until Air Raid started buzzing the tops of the clouds, to see them tear themselves apart and twist into new shapes in the wind of his passage. But short-lived or not, nights like this were the closest thing to peace that Skydive had ever known and he\u2019d enjoy it as long as it lasted.


Necessary Distractions<\/b>

The Aerialbots were a handful to manage, to put it mildly. Most \u2018bots wouldn\u2019t have thanked Optimus for assigning them the task of commanding that team but Silverbolt handled it with more grace than most expected of him and the Autobots were happy to leave it to him. Let him<\/i> try to keep his wildly disparate teammates in line. Silverbolt would be the first to admit that the four of them could be a challenge, for all that he loved his wingmates with a gestalt leader\u2019s fierce devotion. What he kept to himself was the fact that he needed his team every bit as much as they needed him. Keeping them alive and in the air gave him no chance to dwell on his own fears. Who had time to doubt himself when he was busy keeping Slingshot\u2019s mouth from starting another war, making sure Skydive didn\u2019t forget what outside air felt like, watching for obstacles in Fireflight\u2019s path and preventing Air Raid from getting himself killed in the name of a good joke?


Dance Party<\/b>

After hours of intermittent humming from Fireflight while en route back to the Ark, Silverbolt finally gave in and asked him what that music was. A song Jazz had played for him earlier, Fireflight answered cheerfully, and he\u2019d had it stuck in his processor since he\u2019d heard it. The trouble began when Slingshot grumbled at him to knock it off with the noise and Air Raid promptly started singing across their comms as loudly as he could. Silverbolt, preoccupied with mediating the shouting\/singing match, didn\u2019t take notice of how uncharacteristically unevenly Skydive was flying until Fireflight delightedly asked Skydive to show him how to dance too. Immediately distracted from the argument, Air Raid added his demand to know how Skydive had pulled off that wing wiggle to Fireflight\u2019s shameless pleading. Silverbolt told them to stop being ridiculous but none of them were listening -- even Slingshot was starting to mutter that none of them would know maneuverability if it flew up their afterburners. When they flew back into range of the Ark\u2019s sensors later that afternoon, the \u2018bot on monitor duty contacted them to ask if their erratic flight paths meant that they were in need of assistance. All he received in response was a burst of five-toned laughter.


Lost<\/b>

Fireflight got lost a lot. Everyone knew it, and most weren\u2019t quiet in their joking about it. His teammates\u2019 teasing was the loudest of all but Fireflight didn\u2019t mind; it was also the fondest. He heard the other Autobots asking what was wrong with him, why couldn\u2019t he just go from Point A to Point B without hitting Points C-Z en route? Even Ratchet sometimes paid a little bit too much attention to his internal guidance systems. Fireflight could never find the words to make them understand. Silverbolt insisted he didn\u2019t have to explain, that being different didn\u2019t mean he was defective, and that helped. But it was Air Raid that put it best. His brother found him perched on the mountain outside one afternoon and tugged him to his feet, then out into the wind. The rest of them were stupid if they didn\u2019t understand that Fireflight hadn\u2019t been made to fly in straight lines, Air Raid laughed across the comm as they chased each other across the sky. It was his job to see the stuff that other \u2018bots missed and who cared if he did his job a little too well?


Lasers<\/b>

The thing that drove Air Raid nuts about the Autobots is that most of them were so fragging serious<\/i> all the time. Sure, war was no joke. But what was the harm in having a little fun with it? (Or even better - a lot of fun!) But for every \u2018bot that appreciated a good laugh now and then, there were a dozen who got on Air Raid\u2019s case for being careless or reckless or foolish. And really, that\u2019s what Air Raid had Silverbolt for. (Biggest killjoy this side of Cybertron, his team leader.) It wasn\u2019t that Air Raid didn\u2019t understand that fighting the Decepticons was a matter of life and death -- he wasn\u2019t stupid<\/i>. He just didn\u2019t get why everyone seemed so convinced that he had to be somber in order to survive. Trading mid-air shots with Starscream wasn\u2019t going to get any easier just because Air Raid stopped laughing whenever Starscream screeched at him. Let the Autobots disapprove as much as they liked, Air Raid decided, he wasn\u2019t going to die without having enjoyed life first.


Feelings Are Dumb<\/b>

Slingshot hated everything. And everyone. All of it -- all of them<\/i>. Fragging Decepticons who couldn\u2019t hit the broad side of a waste shuttle and their all crowing about one<\/i> lucky hit. The Autobot groundpounders were even worse<\/i>, snarking about how all it took was one little missile to knock him out of the sky. Then there the rest of the Aerialbots, who just shrugged off the insults like the scorn didn\u2019t matter. So great to know that they had his back! And now here came stupid Fireflight, walking right through his brush-offs to wrap himself around Slingshot and telling him how those jokes didn\u2019t<\/i> matter, because they all knew better. And oh look, the rest of the team had followed him, leaving Slingshot smothered under a cluster of limbs and wings that refused to let him go, no matter how hard he squirmed or complained. But more than anything else, Slingshot hated how the ridiculous cuddling actually made him feel better<\/i>.


Loyalty<\/b>

The Aerialbots\u2019 presence was an undeniable tactical advantage but that didn\u2019t mean that the Autobots were entirely comfortable with the team of jets. Part of it was the natural separation between ground and aerial troops, exacerbated by millions of years of conditioning that insisted anything that flew was an enemy. The Aerialbots\u2019 early, naive fascination with Starscream and his Seekers hadn\u2019t helped ease that old prejudice. The Autobots\u2019 faith wasn\u2019t bolstered by the Aerialbots\u2019 overt quirkiness, either: Silverbolt got nervous in the air, Slingshot was a temperamental braggart, Fireflight had trouble flying in a straight line, Air Raid was enthusiastically reckless and Skydive would rather read than fly. But for all his army\u2019s grumbling, Optimus trusted Silverbolt and his team. He\u2019d ordered their creation, helped build their frames with his own hands. It was at his command that the freshly-sparked Aerialbots had woken to find themselves embroiled in a war. The least Optimus owed them was the freedom to make their own choices and faith enough to trust they\u2019d make the right ones.


Team Leader<\/b>

Silverbolt had always been the leader of the Aerialbots. Despite Slingshot\u2019s early rebelliousness and Air Raid\u2019s occasional complaints about how boring he was, there was no question about who commanded the team. Optimus might have made it official but Silverbolt had always been as central to his wingmates as he was to Superion. Silverbolt kept Slingshot\u2019s attitude from getting him killed, reminded Skydive that there was more to life than his datafiles, watched and corrected Fireflight\u2019s midair meandering, and reined in the worst of Air Raid\u2019s recklessness. As far as the rest of the Autobots were concerned, Silverbolt was the only reason the rest of the Aerialbots were halfway functional. What everyone tended to forget was that Silverbolt\u2019s team was as protective of him<\/i> as he was of them<\/i>. That was fine by the Aerialbots; delivering reminders was so much more satisfying when the targets never saw it coming.


Shared Space<\/b>

Silverbolt\u2019s immediate reaction to Prowl\u2019s appearance at the door to the Aerialbots\u2019 quarters was a hastily concealed sigh as he wondered what his wingmates had done this time<\/i>. Prowl\u2019s wry shake of the head told him that he hadn\u2019t hidden his resignation well enough but it turned out that he hadn\u2019t needed to worry. For once, Prowl wasn\u2019t there to call anyone out on any infringement of the rules. Ongoing excavation efforts had opened up new living spaces in the Ark, he explained, and Optimus wondered if the Aerialbots wouldn\u2019t like to move into proper quarters. Silverbolt considered the option for a moment, glancing over the hastily converted cargo bay that had been assigned to them upon their unexpected arrival. His optics lingered briefly on his team, clustered around their cobbled-together entertainment system and cheering over a terrible movie involving an improbable amount of car crashes. He was smiling when he turned back to thank Prowl and assure him that they were just fine where they were.


Fin<\/b><\/a>


Notes:<\/b> I\u2019ve been away from my beloved Aerialbots for far<\/i> too long!"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:20750","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/20750.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=20750"}}],"title":"[FMA] FIC: Knowledge In Pursuit (Courage So Rare #1)","published":"2012-12-12T00:09:23Z","updated":"2012-12-18T04:48:08Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"fullmetal alchemist"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"courage so rare"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> Knowledge In Pursuit
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Gen
Rating:<\/b> G
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 2200
Warnings:<\/b> none
Summary:<\/b> The military\u2019s newest State Alchemist is a genius. And a prodigy. And a brat.
Notes:<\/b> First in the Courage So Rare<\/a> series.


Knowledge In Pursuit<\/b>

\u201cWhat we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.\u201d ~ George Bernard Shaw


When Colonel Hughes sailed into the Investigations Office that morning, he was full of effusive cheer, bestowing beaming smiles and bright greetings to everyone as he made his way into his office. His staff knew better than to accept his upbeat demeanour without question, however, and there were no few suspicious glances darted at his back as he meandered his way through the outer office. Their misgivings were confirmed when he brought himself up short before entering his office with the air of someone who\u2019d abruptly remembered something.

\u201cWe\u2019re receiving guests today so everyone be on your best behaviour!\u201d he instructed, rapping his knuckles on the edge of Roy\u2019s desk. \u201cEspecially you, Major Mustang. The Promise Life Alchemist will be making her rounds today with her newest recruit.\u201d

Well, that<\/i> explained the angry glitter of Hughes\u2019 eyes behind his glasses. Maes\u2019 daughter was only a few months old and he had strong opinions about kids these days. Reinhold\u2019s latest prodigy had been a sore spot since word of him had crossed Hughes\u2019 desk. Not that Roy was terribly impressed with what he\u2019d heard, either.

\u201cOf course, Colonel,\u201d he replied aloud, drawing himself up out of his casual slouch into a properly respectful posture. \u201cWe\u2019d never embarrass you by being at anything less than our best.\u201d

That won him an amused snort and an easing of the sharp edges of Hughes\u2019 smile. \u201cI have complete faith in you all,\u201d Hughes assured him dryly.

As he should. Roy would be the last person who\u2019d willingly cause trouble for Maes. Not after everything the man had done for him over the years. Not even if it meant playing nice with Reinhold\u2019s upstart of a protege.

Hughes\u2019 warning had come not a moment too soon; footsteps in the hallway announced that their guests were here. The sound prompted a flurry of motion as the Investigations personnel hastily put the finishing touches on their appearance of a typical, hard-working military office. By the time the first knock sounded on their outer door, everyone was deeply immersed in their paperwork against a backdrop of Fuery\u2019s quiet conversation with some distant operative.

\u201cMiss Reinhold!\u201d Hughes greeted as Falman ushered them in, \u201cWelcome to Investigations. What can we do for you this morning?\u201d

The Promise Life Alchemist favoured Hughes with a sweet smile and shook her head. \u201cDon\u2019t put yourselves out on our behalf,\u201d she replied, putting her hand on the shoulder of the boy standing next to her. \u201cI\u2019m just giving Edward here the grand tour.\u201d

Lucky Edward, treated to the niceties that so many other alchemists had been denied, Roy reflected cynically. Perhaps that\u2019s what came of being Denise Reinhold\u2019s latest \u201cdiscovery\u201d. The Promise Life Alchemist had the Fuhrer\u2019s ear (opinion was sharply divided as to whether his regard was for her expertise in biological alchemy or for how she looked in her decidedly non-regulation suits) and any alchemist she sponsored was assured prominence and preferential treatment.

Being drafted into the military and pressed into service for the Ishval conflict hadn\u2019t featured anywhere in Roy\u2019s plans but he\u2019d made the best of it. His alchemy had quickly distinguished him, and he\u2019d easily made a reputation for himself, thankfully gathering enough influence to eventually collect Riza Hawkeye back to his side after he\u2019d discovered his teacher\u2019s daughter working as a sniper near the front lines. Being assigned to Hughes\u2019 squad had proven just the advantage they\u2019d all needed; they\u2019d kept each other alive and won enough acclaim that they\u2019d secured positions for themselves and their people after the dust of the war settled. That they\u2019d finally found people worthy of trust in each other and the small group of subordinates they\u2019d gathered, they kept to themselves. Roy and Maes had new plans now and taking care of their own was no small part of that.

But for all that Roy was far less of a glory hound than was generally believed, it had been all too easy to resent the much-touted Edward Elric. Roy may not have intended to pursue State Certification but there was a twisted sort of pride to having earned<\/i> the military\u2019s respect. To see it being handed over to a precocious child was grating. Edward was a genius, raved the rumours, even at the tender age of just twelve! Strong and determined enough to bear the strain of two automail limbs, despite his youth and the infamous pain associated with the prosthetics. Reinhold had openly claimed that he was one of the most gifted alchemists she\u2019d ever seen and by all accounts he\u2019d lived up to her words with the impressive means by which he\u2019d gained his Certification just last week. Roy hadn\u2019t been sure what<\/i> to make of the stories making the rounds of Central after Edward\u2019s test -- some of what was being said seemed outright impossible. Regardless of how he\u2019d done it, the boy had earned his watch and his name.

None of that, however disconcerting, was what currently had Roy struggling to keep his expression calm and unruffled. Central had been alive with whispers of Reinhold\u2019s new discovery for weeks now. The rumour mill had exploded after Edward\u2019s Certification tests, half-hysterical claims that he could transmute without an array snaking their way through the network of alchemists stationed at HQ. But for all the stories circulating about him, for all the fuss being made over his youth, no one had mentioned the fact that the newly-titled Fullmetal Alchemist was such a tiny child<\/i>.

He was striking, to be sure -- Roy had never seen the like of the boy\u2019s eyes before -- but still just a child. He wore red like a challenge and the stubborn set of his mouth fairly shouted belligerence but nothing could disguise the childish contours of that face. Roy couldn\u2019t quite stop the clench of sympathy that caught in his chest at the sight of him. Whatever kind of genius he was, twelve was far<\/i> too young to be selling himself to the military, no matter what prize Reinhold had dangled before him.

Then again, Reinhold had never been known for having a terribly firm grasp on the finer points of morality versus practicality, Roy privately acknowledged as he stood to meet the newcomer. Probably another reason why she was one of the Fuhrer\u2019s favourites. The boy was barely chest-high on her - what had she been thinking<\/i>?

\u201cAh, yes,\u201d Hughes acknowledged easily, and only someone who knew him as well as Roy did could have spotted the way that his pleasant smile had hardened at Reinhold\u2019s proprietary clasp of Edward\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019d be Edward Elric, then? Our new Fullmetal Alchemist?\u201d

\u201cYeah, that\u2019d be me,\u201d Edward answered, chin tipping upward.

Something in Hughes\u2019 expression softened at the obvious challenge Edward was levelling at him, and his smile warmed into something genuine. \u201cI\u2019m Colonel Maes Hughes, of Investigations. Nice to meet you, Edward.\u201d

The pleasantry seemed to catch Edward off guard, unusual gold eyes widening at Hughes\u2019 words. His initial hostility faltered as he shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably, flicking his eyes to the side as he mumbled something that might have passed for a civil greeting.

\u201cLet me introduce you to my team,\u201d Hughes began, sweeping a hand wide to indicate the rest of his staff.

\u201cActually, Colonel, we\u2019re a bit pressed for time today,\u201d Reinhold interrupted. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to make time later for Edward to properly meet everyone.\u201d

Reinhold was good, Roy privately acknowledged. But for the faint gleam in her eyes as she glanced over at Roy, you\u2019d think she was actually apologizing for dismissing the majority of the people in the room.

\u201cI was hoping to see that he gets a chance to meet his colleagues,\u201d Reinhold continued, which was Roy\u2019s cue to emerge from behind his desk to be presented.

To give Edward credit where credit was due, he seemed every bit as sharp as the stories had described. The arrays on Roy\u2019s gloves had immediately caught his attention and Roy had seen the quick dart of his eyes as Edward checked for the watch at Roy\u2019s belt. From the lopsided twist to his frown, Roy thought he might have even caught Reinhold\u2019s subtle insult. That was a bit of a surprise; Roy would have thought that someone in Edward\u2019s position would be inclined to believe in the superiority of alchemy and its practitioners. Well, well, well. Perhaps he wasn\u2019t the pampered prodigy Roy had suspected.

Keeping his expression clear with the ease of long practice, Roy stepped forward and held out a hand. \u201cI\u2019m Major Roy Mustang. Hello, Edward.\u201d

\u201cThe Flame Alchemist,\u201d Reinhold added helpfully.

Edward ignored both of them and made no move to take Roy\u2019s extended hand, though he did lean a bit closer to inspect the lines stitched on Roy\u2019s glove. When he finally looked up, there was an openly insolent sneer on his face and Roy heaved a mental sigh. Apparently, he\u2019d hoped too soon when he thought there might be something to this boy.

\u201cI think I get why they call you the Flame Alchemist,\u201d Edward said.

\u201cOh?\u201d Roy prompted mildly, preparing to accept some slight to his array design, some criticism of his capabilities, or something similar in the vein of overconfident youth the world around. \u201cAnd why do you think that is?\u201d

\u201cFrom what I can see, you\u2019re full of nothing but hot air,\u201d Edward shot back with a smirk.

Roy froze for a moment, fingers twitching as he fought the urge to swat the puffed-up little brat. The smothered snicker clearly audible in the startled silence of the office did nothing to improve his temper. The last of his sympathy for Elric evaporated, along with any lingering desire to practice politics. Hastily recovering his composure, he pulled on a smug smile of his own.

\u201cI\u2019m sure it must seem like that from your perspective,\u201d he asserted smoothly, looking down his nose. \u201cPerhaps when you\u2019ve grown up a bit, you\u2019ll be able to better appreciate how an adult works.\u201d

He was delighted to see Elric flush crimson<\/i> with outrage. \u201cWHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL HE COULDN\u2019T SEE OVER YOUR BOOTS?\u201d he howled.

\u201cEdward<\/i>,\u201d Reinhold snapped, breaking her own sweet-faced facade to glare at her spluttering protege.

Roy hadn\u2019t expected her admonishment to have any effect -- quite frankly, he\u2019d been looking forward to more fireworks -- but Elric surprised him by subsiding under Reinhold\u2019s forbidding stare, however sullenly.

She put her arm back around him, visibly tightening her grip on his left shoulder as she gave Roy and Hughes a tight smile. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to excuse him. Edward is young and the last few weeks have been overwhelming.\u201d

A squeeze of her hand prompted Elric to mutter something vaguely conciliatory.

\u201cAnd now we have to be off,\u201d Reinhold said as she steered Elric out of the office. \u201cThank you for your time, Colonel, Major!\u201d

As they passed through the doorway, Reinhold bent her head to whisper into Elric\u2019s ear. Her voice was too low to be overheard but from the rigid set of Elric\u2019s shoulders, Roy didn\u2019t imagine her words were kind.

Hughes clapped his hands together as the door closed behind Reinhold and Elric. \u201cWell!\u201d he said brightly. \u201cThat was exciting.\u201d

\u201cExciting isn\u2019t the word I\u2019d have chosen,\u201d Roy retorted, temper still simmering. He wished Reinhold luck with Elric; from what he\u2019d seen, they deserved each other. As far as Roy was concerned, no<\/i> amount of alchemical genius was worth that attitude.

\u201cIt certainly shouldn\u2019t have been exciting,\u201d Hughes agreed. \u201cIn fact, I seem recall someone making promises about his best behaviour?\u201d He tapped a finger thoughtfully against his chin as he squinted theatrically. \u201cNow, who was that?\u201d

\u201cMy behaviour was entirely appropriate to the situation,\u201d Roy asserted. \u201cThat was a calculated response to a verbal assault.\u201d

There was another strangled laugh from behind him and a sharp sideways glance caught Havoc hastily ducking behind a stack of paperwork. Roy would remember that, the next time one of Havoc\u2019s girlfriends started flirting with him.

\u201cSo, it was a tactical temper tantrum?\u201d Hughes suggested guilelessly.

Roy resisted the urge to scowl at him. \u201cNothing of the sort,\u201d he insisted. \u201cIt was returning discourtesy for discourtesy. Call it fighting fire with fire.\u201d

\u201cHot air feeds fire,\u201d Hawkeye remarked blandly from her desk, without looking up from the forms she was busy completing.

\u201cNot you too, Second Lieutenant?\u201d Roy asked mournfully.

\u201cProve me wrong by attending to your work. Sir,\u201d she responded evenly.

Well, at least no one was laughing at him this time, Roy reasoned as he slunk back to his desk. They were too busy pretending to be hard at work. Having the most intimidating lieutenant in the service as your second was occasionally useful. Even Hughes had purposefully retreated into his office, though not before Roy caught the unhappy quirk of his lips as he looked back at the door through which Reinhold and Elric had departed.

Let Hughes worry about the brat if he wanted, Roy decided as he took his seat again. Fatherhood had clearly rotted the man\u2019s brain if Hughes thought Elric was worth the time or trouble. Roy had more pressing concerns, including a pile of papers that really should have been signed yesterday and about which Hawkeye was going to be very irritated. That was as many problems as a man needed. Too young for military life or not, Elric wasn\u2019t Roy\u2019s concern. In fact, Roy would be just as happy if he never had to contend with the obnoxious little hellion ever again.

Good luck and good riddance, Edward Elric,<\/i> Roy silently wished him as he resolutely focused on the forms spread across his desk. And may it be a <\/i>long time until we meet again.<\/i>

Fin<\/b><\/a>


The Masterpost<\/a> for the Courage So Rare<\/i> series."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:20640","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/20640.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=20640"}}],"title":"[FMA] FIC: Courage So Rare series (Masterpost)","published":"2012-12-11T23:55:34Z","updated":"2013-01-24T20:18:55Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"masterpost"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fullmetal alchemist"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"courage so rare"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"
Courage So Rare<\/b>


Amazing<\/i> cover graphic made by <\/a>seryan<\/b><\/a><\/span>.<\/small>

It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare. ~ Mark Twain

An AU of the 2003 series, including some elements from Brotherhood.<\/center>

(1) Knowledge In Pursuit<\/a>: The military\u2019s newest State Alchemist was a genius. And a prodigy. And a brat.

(2) Even To Live: All in all, Roy thought he\u2019d rather face rogue chimera than accept help from the specialist Central had sent.

(3) What Is Demanded of Genius: When half of Central HQ went up in flames late one night, the military focused on the obvious suspect.

(4) Pleases the Eyes Only: Elric\u2019s temper had gotten him into trouble again<\/i>. Getting him out of it would require a bit of creativity on Roy\u2019s part.

(5) The Outcome of Despair: Roy had been so busy wanting to strangle the kid that he\u2019d forgotten that they all had reasons for accepting the military\u2019s leash.

(6) The Worst Cowardice: Maes had always had a knack for making Roy confront uncomfortable truths.

(7) Build Your Wings: Plotting high treason was a delicate game; Edward was a dangerously unpredictable complication.

(8) More Important Than Fear: Edward\u2019s knowledge of alchemy was encyclopedic, but his grasp of tactics was far less so.

(9) Passing Contentment: There was no array to repair the pieces of a shattered life.


(NB: Stories without active links are forthcoming.)


Comments and feedback welcome! Thanks for reading."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:20325","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/20325.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=20325"}}],"title":"[FMA] FIC: Liveware Problem","published":"2012-12-10T14:57:48Z","updated":"2012-12-18T04:58:57Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"fullmetal alchemist"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> Liveware Problem
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Roy\/Ed
Rating:<\/b> Rish? (Entirely for Ed's foul mouth.)
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 1400
Warnings:<\/b> none
Summary:<\/b> We seem to be experiencing a PEBKAC error.
Notes:<\/b> So I used to work in a reception\/tech support type role... And when <\/a>akainagi<\/b><\/a><\/span> mentioned she was having a crappy day at work, it reminded me of this cracky bit of self-indulgence. Hope it brightens someone\u2019s day and uh, please to not be taking this at all seriously.


Liveware Problem<\/b>


Everyone jumped when the door to their suite slammed open without warning. Jean, whose misfortune it was to occupy the desk closest to the door, started so violently that he almost tipped himself out of his chair. Kain yelped as coffee from the cup Jean had been cradling sloshed over the edge of his desk. Heymans just rolled his eyes and blew ashes off of his paperwork when Jean\u2019s flailing knocked his not-so-carefully hidden ashtray flying. Riza just passed Kain a wad of tissues and turned a calm stare on the person glowering at them from the doorway.

\u201cSomeone called about a computer problem?\u201d Ed growled into the chaos his entry had caused.

\u201cWe did,\u201d Riza confirmed. \u201cPlease come this way.\u201d

Ed snorted, tossing his ponytail over his shoulder as he stomped into the office. \u201cOh great. Don\u2019t tell me that he<\/i> managed to screw up his machine again<\/i>?\u201d

\u201cHe has,\u201d Riza replied, quirking an infinitesimal, sympathetic smile at Ed\u2019s eloquent sigh.

\u201cI thought Al was the one that answered the phone?\u201d Jean asked as Ed blew past his desk, blotting futilely at his dress shirt with a few tissues he\u2019d snitched from Kain.

\u201cHe did,\u201d Ed answered grumpily. \u201cBut the Records branch called just after you guys and Al\u2019s the only one who can figure out their stupid system.\u201d

Given Ed\u2019s reputation for being able to fix anything short of a smoking ruin, it was far likelier that Al was the only one who had the patience to deal with Records\u2019 antiquated system. Not that anyone was going to argue with the notoriously cranky tech genius.

\u201cSo lucky me,\u201d Ed was saying as he reached their manager\u2019s office and pushed the door open, \u201cI get to come up and see what the hell you\u2019ve done this time.\u201d

\u201cAh, Edward,\u201d came Roy\u2019s voice. \u201cAlways wonderful to see you.\u201d

\u201cShove it, Roy,\u201d Ed snapped. \u201cI\u2019d be a whole lot happier if I didn\u2019t have to see you so damn often. Who the fuck kills their computer twice in three days? This week alone<\/i>?\u201d

No one flinched when Ed kicked the door shut behind him; they were too busy trying to hear what he was saying. You couldn\u2019t pay for a better show than Ed and Roy at odds.

\u201cI believe you all have work of your own to do?\u201d Riza pointedly reminded her too-curious colleagues.

\u201cAw, c\u2019mon!\u201d Jean protested. \u201cWe\u2019re going to miss --\u201d

\u201cI think you\u2019d best concern yourself with your own affairs,\u201d she interrupted, pointing to his desk. \u201cUnless you\u2019d prefer to explain to Edward why your keyboard took a coffee bath?\u201d

\u201cShit!\u201d Jean exclaimed, hastily swiping at the spreading puddle. Kain and Vato hastened to help, while Heymans snickered and pointed to areas at particular risk.

Satisfied that their attention had been sufficiently redirected, Riza returned to her desk. There would be more than enough work to make up without letting the office fall further behind.

On the other side of the door, Ed glared at Roy. \u201cSo? What is it now?\u201d

Roy pushed himself away from his desk, both hands held up in surrender. \u201cI don\u2019t know. It\u2019s not working.\u201d

\u201cNot working?\u201d Ed repeated scathingly. \u201cGee, thanks. That clears it right up. You think you could be a bit<\/i> more specific?\u201d

Roy\u2019s smile widened as Ed\u2019s scowl deepened with frustration. \u201cI\u2019m not sure what happened. One minute everything was working just fine, the next minute it was all dead,\u201d he offered, waving a hand at the pile of inert electronics on his desk.

\u201cDid you try --\u201d Ed began.

\u201cAnd yes, I did try restarting it,\u201d Roy cut him off smartly. \u201cIt won\u2019t start.\u201d

\u201cIt won\u2019t start? At all?\u201d Ed blinked at that, then shook himself. \u201cWell, if anyone<\/i> could fry a computer just by looking at it, it\u2019s you<\/i>.\u201d

\u201cI\u2019m hardly that bad,\u201d Roy protested mildly.

\u201cHa!\u201d Ed scoffed. \u201cThen why do I end up in your office more often than everyone else\u2019s put together?\u201d

\u201cI couldn\u2019t say,\u201d Roy said. \u201cBad connections?\u201d

\u201cYeah, yeah, whatever. Out of the way,\u201d Ed ordered.

Roy obediently rolled his chair further away from the desk, watching patiently as Ed tried turning his computer back on with no success.

\u201cOkay, fine, you bastard,\u201d Ed sighed, apparently addressing the computer. \u201cMake me work for a better look, why don\u2019t you?\u201d

\u201cDon\u2019t mind if I do,\u201d Roy murmured (carefully under his breath) as Ed crawled under the desk.

The Elrics were good enough at their jobs that management tended to look the other way over minor things like dress code violations, especially since Al, at least, generally wore jeans that were more denim than hole. This afternoon, however, Ed was wearing a gloriously frayed pair, which his position under Roy\u2019s desk was displaying to wonderful<\/i> effect. Really, Roy couldn\u2019t be blamed for appreciating such a sight if it presented itself, could he?

\u201cOh for fuck\u2019s sake<\/i>, Roy! Half of these cables are unplugged!\u201d Ed shouted in disgust.

\u201cAre they?\u201d Roy answered absently, eyes on the enticing curve of Ed\u2019s ass as he squirmed around. \u201cI can\u2019t think of how that might have happened.\u201d

There was a dangerous silence from under the desk.

\"If you're staring at my ass, I am going to stab you with your own pen,\" Ed told him flatly.

\u201cNow, Edward,\u201d Roy protested, hastily redirecting his eyes to a handful of papers he swiped from his desk. \"Would I do something like that?\"

\"YES.\"

\"In my own office<\/i>?\" There was a trick to projecting injured innocence. Roy had mastered it years ago.

\"ESPECIALLY in your own office,\" Ed shot back venomously.

\u201cWhat have I ever done to deserve the low opinion of me you have?\u201d Roy asked mournfully, grinning safely out of Ed\u2019s sight.

\u201cPlaying footsie with your computer cables sure as shit isn\u2019t helping!\u201d Ed informed him as he emerged from under the desk, intriguingly flushed from his efforts. He jabbed the power button and sent Roy a viciously pleased grin when the computer chimed in response, start up sequence proceeding without a hitch. \u201cSave it for your dates next time, would you?\u201d

He headed for the door as he was speaking but the lack of response surprised him and he twisted mid-step, surprising a look of consideration on Roy\u2019s face.

As soon as Roy caught Ed looking, he wiped the expression off of his face and replaced it with a bland smile. \u201cI\u2019ll keep the advice in mind. Thank you for fixing my computer.\u201d

\u201cS\u2019my job, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Ed said, shrugging uncomfortably as he darted a suspicious glance at Roy.

\u201cSo it is,\u201d Roy acknowledged, smile broadening into something more genuine.

\u201cYeah, well,\u201d Ed muttered, edging towards the door. \u201cTry not to need anything else for the next little while.\u201d

Roy let him go without further comment, merely raising an eyebrow when Riza stepped into the gap Ed had left.

\u201cA last minute cancellation of a teleconference is no excuse to waste IT\u2019s time,\u201d she informed him. \u201cEdward has more important things to do than entertain you.\u201d

\u201cWhat are you suggesting, Riza? I\u2019m just hopeless with computers,\u201d Roy answered airily, though his smirk told an entirely different story.

\u201cI\u2019m suggesting you ask him out, Roy,\u201d Riza replied, ignoring his astonishment and reflexive protest. \u201cI have it on good authority that he\u2019d say yes.\u201d

\u201cEventually,\u201d Roy managed dryly. \u201cAfter he stopped swearing at me, maybe.\u201d

\u201cProbably,\u201d she agreed as she withdrew to the outer office. \u201cBut he would say yes.\u201d

Roy wasn\u2019t left to wonder about Riza\u2019s \u201cgood authority\u201d for long.

Just get on with things and ask my brother out,<\/i> read the e-mail from Al that landed in Roy\u2019s inbox a few minutes later. I\u2019m getting tired of hearing him complain that you kill more computers than we do houseplants. You take him out somewhere that serves good food, I\u2019ll make sure he wears those leather pants you keep hearing about. Everybody wins.<\/i>

Roy stared thoughtfully at the message for a long moment before deciding against asking Al if tomorrow was too soon. But he was due a coffee break about now and there was no reason not to stop by the IT office on his way back. A coffee was the least he owed Ed, after all. And now he had even more incentive to stay on Al\u2019s good side.

He carefully did not notice the money changing hands as he swept out of the office

Fin<\/b>


Note:<\/b> For those of you who\u2019ve been lucky enough to avoid working in tech support, PEBKAC = Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair. Otherwise known as User Error. :)<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:19985","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/19985.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=19985"}}],"title":"[FMA] FIC: As If It Were Impossible","published":"2012-12-02T23:26:21Z","updated":"2012-12-09T05:09:58Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"fullmetal alchemist"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> As If It Were Impossible
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Gen
Rating:<\/b> PG-ish
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 3100
Warnings:<\/b> mention of Ishval and violent imagery
Summary:<\/b> It had seemed like a great idea at the time. Roy really should have expected things to go awry.
Notes:<\/b> Pre-series, no particular canon.

Thanks to <\/a>seryan<\/b><\/a><\/span> for looking this over while I was writing it! Remaining issues are entirely my fault.

Thanks also to <\/a>akainagi<\/b><\/a><\/span> for helping me remember how much I love this series! (And not so coincidentally, reminding me that I had projects-in-progress that I could finish up.)


As If It Were Impossible<\/b>

\"Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.\" ~ Charles Kettering



\"Right, Hughes. Thanks for the warning,\" Roy said into the phone, rubbing at the bridge of his nose.

\"Not a problem,\" Hughes replied blithely. \"I figured you'd appreciate some advance notice. Just wish I'd heard about it earlier. You won't have much time to scheme anything.\"

\"Don't worry, it'll be fine,\" Roy assured his friend. \"I'll make sure to get them out of the way before anything happens.\"

\"Of course you will,\" Hughes agreed complacently, and Roy scowled at how easily Hughes read him, even over the phone.

\"And I should go get started on that,\" Roy announced. \"Right now.\"

\"What? But I haven't had a chance to tell you about Alicia's success in the kitchen!\" Hughes protested. \"Gracia taught her how to make cookies this weekend and I tell you Roy, you've never tasted anything so sweet!\"

\"Sorry, Maes. Got to go,\" Roy interrupted loudly. \"Haven't got much time to waste!\" He quickly hung up the phone, cutting off the faint sounds of Hughes' babbling.

The best excuses were the ones that were true, Roy mused as he rested his chin thoughtfully in the palm of one hand. Hughes had given them as much warning as he could -- and thank God for that -- but Roy didn't have much time to act. Shaking his head, he rose from his desk with a faint sigh and walked out into the main office.

Oh good, he thought as he opened the door, the Elrics were already here. That was one less problem with which to contend. Roy allowed himself a moment to take stock of the surprisingly quiet goings-on outside his office. Ed was leaning against Havoc's desk, chatting amiably with Roy's staff. Al was crouched down, happily petting Black Hayate. It was almost a shame to interrupt such a pleasant scene but the military waited for no man. Or boy, as the case may be.

\"Ah, Fullmetal,\" Roy greeted him with a smirk. \"You're here. Excellent.\"

Ed had glanced up at the sound of his title but his customary scowl quickly faded into suspicion.

\"Yeah?\" he acknowledged cautiously. \"What do you want?\"

\"There's something I want you to look into,\" he began smoothly.

\"What?<\/i>\" Ed squawked indignantly. \"But I just got back<\/i> from an assignment!\"

\"How convenient that I have a new one for you, then,\" Roy told him, falling naturally into the pleased superiority that served him so well in his dealings with Ed. \"There are worrisome rumours coming out of Terring. Some trouble with a local militia. It's close enough that you can get started today - Havoc will drive you out.\"

There was an angry flush already suffusing Ed's cheeks and he glared hotly at Roy.

\"We were supposed<\/i> to be getting leave. You said we'd have some time off. You know<\/i> we've got research to do,\" Ed said through gritted teeth, half a breath away from a childish accusation of You promised!<\/i>

Much as he'd normally enjoy teasing Ed into a fit of temper, now was not the time and Roy let his expression ice over with disdain.

\"I am your commander, Fullmetal,\" he said coldly. \"Since it seems to have slipped your mind - again<\/i> - let me remind you: you are in the military. Your job is to do as you are told. And I am telling you to go investigate the rumours in Terring.\"

Ed stared at him, speechless with outrage. There was an unusually betrayed edge to his glare and Roy felt a twinge of regret. He wasn't usually this heavy-handed with Ed. Besides, the protest was nothing less than the truth. Roy had<\/i> as good as promised Ed a break between assignments and Fullmetal had certainly earned it. Even Al was managing to give him a wounded stare, inflexibility of the armour notwithstanding.

Roy simply raised an eyebrow in pointed inquiry.

\"Fine, then,\" Ed spat, whirling around and stomping out of the office.

Al clambered hastily to his feet, making the usual round of apologies and polite farewells as he followed his brother. Roy didn't think he imagined the faint stiffness in Al's manner as he addressed him but that was to be expected.

When the door closed behind the brothers, the others in the room turned as one to fasten their eyes on Roy. They were all fond of the Elrics, never mind the difficulty of Ed's temper, and no one liked seeing the boy deliberately hurt.

\"General Sterling is on his way to East HQ as we speak,\" Roy said by way of explanation for his actions, voice carefully uninflected. \"A surprise inspection tour. I'm told he was especially looking forward to conversing with the Fullmetal Alchemist.\"

There was a moment of appalled silence. They'd all heard of Sterling.

\"Sterling and the boss in the same room?\" Havoc shook his head. \"There's no way that'd end well. Guess I'd better get down to the motor pool, then,\" he announced, pushing his chair away from the desk.

There was a brief shuffle of paper as Havoc happily redistributed his share of the work, cheerfulness not the least bit dented by the irritable glares of his coworkers as he sailed out of the office.

\"General Sterling's adherence to protocol is well known,\" Falman observed as Havoc departed.

Breda snorted under his breath. \"He's a stickler for the rules, you mean,\" he muttered. \"I'll just bet he's looking forward to talking to the Fullmetal Alchemist.\"

\"Such a shame that Fullmetal couldn't be here to meet him,\" Roy agreed solemnly. \"But one can't be too careful about signs of civil unrest.\"

Not the most inspired of reasons, to be sure, with the constant stream of whispers of militia action and rebel movements from the small towns scattered in the areas surrounding Central. Fortunately, they often sounded<\/i> credibly threatening and Roy would have no trouble justifying why he'd sent Ed out to ascertain the truth.

Hawkeye's quelling look silenced them all. \"You all have more important things to do than gossiping about absent colleagues,\" she said firmly.

That was true enough, Roy thought as he headed back to his desk. A day or two wasn't much but it would be plenty of time to patch together a solid cover story for Ed's absence. Fuery was already retuning his radio, notepad at the ready. From the snatches Roy caught of Breda and Falman's quiet conversation, Breda was cobbling together another one of the falsified reports he was so good at. Hawkeye supervised everyone as calmly as always, approval apparent as she overlooked their failure to get any of their assigned work done.

Roy smiled to himself as he set his pen to his own stack of papers. Fiercely independent as he was, Ed had never realized how much support he had in Roy's office. Presuming he and his staff were able to manage the situation as effectively as Roy hoped, Ed would go a while longer without knowing.

* * * * *

When the phone rang nearly a week later, Roy's desk was swimming in paperwork. A general's visit was a surefire way to generate even more useless forms than usual to be completed in triplicate. Sterling, not pleased to have missed his chance at the Fullmetal Alchemist, had demanded copies of Ed's reports -- and Roy's reports on Ed's reports -- on top of the usual documentation, adding to Roy's typical workload. Hawkeye had gathered the papers as efficiently as ever but even her direst looks didn't make them any more entertaining to fill out. Roy was in the process of attempting to locate three difference references in the sea of paper drifting across his desk when the phone shrilled for attention. He scooped up the handset and wedged it between his shoulder and his ear as he tugged carefully at a mostly-buried file.

\"Mustang,\" he said automatically. Right, that was the file successfully retrieved. Now where the hell was his letter opener?

\"Hey, Colonel Bastard.\"

No need to wonder who that<\/i> was, Roy thought with a wry grin. \"Good afternoon, Fullmetal. So nice to hear from you.\"

\"Yeah, yeah,\" Ed grumbled. \"We took care of your militia problem.\"

You what?<\/i> Roy nearly blurted. Those rumours about the militias hadn't been true. They never<\/i> were. \"Have you now?\" he stalled.

Ed snorted in his ear. \"Yeah, we did. It was a pain in the ass, too,\" he complained.

\"Militia forces tend not to be concerned with the convenience of soldiers,\" Roy chided in his best superior tone, trusting Ed's quick temper to blind him to any signs that he'd caught Roy off-guard.

Ed had been assigned to Roy's command for years. Events like this really ought to have lost their power to surprise Roy by now, he reflected as he half-listened to the familiar sound of Ed's ranting. Still, common sense and logical expectations were no match for the sheer chaos that dogged Ed's footsteps. Roy had honestly thought he was sending the Elrics out to chase baseless rumours. How did the boy do<\/i> it?

Ed finally wound down, fit of anger fading into a disgruntled huff. \"So are you going to send someone to get us or should we start asking around for a ride?\" he demanded.

\"I'll send someone for you,\" Roy informed him magnanimously. He could afford to be generous. Ed had<\/i> done well and Roy did owe him for the cancelled days of leave. Havoc hated paperwork every bit as much as Roy did so he wouldn't mind a chance to escape the office, even if it meant a few hours of driving.

\"So kind<\/i> of you,\" Ed replied sarcastically. \"You'd better send some kind of transport for the militia guys, too. There was about thirty-five of them. They're buried in the field outside of town for now but I don't think you want to just leave them there.\"

\"They're where<\/i>?\"

\"In the field outside of town,\" Ed repeated impatiently. \"Shit, that's Al - he's looking for me. Gotta go, Colonel. See you later.\" A sharp click and then there was nothing but the humming of the empty line.

Roy stared numbly at the phone, barely remembering to hang it up properly. He couldn't have understood that correctly. In none of Roy's carefully constructed plans did the idea of Ed killing over thirty men make any sense. Then again, he'd seen Ed fight. When the ground itself was a weapon... A sudden vivid image painted itself behind his eyes, a forest of upthrust stone spears and the damage they would do to human flesh. Roy swallowed hard and rubbed the back of his hand over his mouth; the smell of blood and the sound of breaking bones was far too easy to call to mind.

But this wasn't Ishval and Ed wasn't him. Roy took a deep breath and willed the nausea away as his brain ticked over and started working again. He must<\/i> have misunderstood Ed's words -- this was Edward<\/i> and his refusal to kill was renowned. He had enough faith in Ed, Roy decided, to believe in the boy's morality until he had a chance to assess the situation in person.

* * * * *

The ride to Terring was a silent one. Hawkeye and the others had been just as startled as Roy by the announcement that the Elrics had caught the nonexistent militia soldiers and Havoc had leaped at the chance to see it all firsthand. He must have caught some of Roy's mood when he met him down by the motor pool, however, since he restrained his evident curiosity. Busying himself with his ever-present cigarette instead, Havoc considerately left Roy to ponder in peace. Roy appreciated the gesture, even if it didn't make the trip any easier on his nerves.

Evening was falling by the time they reached their destination, headlights sweeping the rough roads as they turned onto the rural street that led to Terring. Deciding that propriety could wait, Roy had eschewed the back seat when they left Central and he was grateful for it now, leaning slightly forward as he strained to see through the gathering darkness. \"In the field outside of town,\" Ed had said and Roy was alert for any sign of the brothers. He didn't have to look very hard. The houses of Terring were barely in sight when the car's headlights picked up the gleam of armour and a bright splash of red standing in a field of torn earth studded with dozens of pale blobs.

\"What the hell<\/i>?\" Havoc choked out, voice strangled with barely suppressed laughter.

Roy didn't blame him. For once, he didn't bother to hide his own amusement.

Ed had told Roy that the men were buried in the field but it would have been more appropriate to say that they'd been planted<\/i>. They looked like some bizarre crop of cabbages.

\"I don't know,\" he admitted, as Havoc braked and the car settled to a stop. \"But I'm looking forward to finding out. You go direct the convoy,\" he ordered as Havoc turned off the motor.

\"Will do, Colonel,\" Havoc replied cheerfully, eyeing the heads poking out of the dirt. \"This ought to be one hell of a story,\" he chortled to himself as he slid out of the car, slamming the door shut as he trotted off.

\"Of that, I have no doubt,\" Roy murmured to himself as he opened the door.

\"Oi! About time you showed up! I called in hours<\/i> ago!\" came a welcome shout as he stepped out of the vehicle.

He turned his head and spotted Ed sauntering over to the car, Al clanking along behind him.

\"And it takes hours to get here, Fullmetal,\" Roy replied, employing the imperturbable tone that never failed to drive Ed mad. \"Especially when one has to arrange a convoy on a moment's notice,\" he added with a careless wave at the trucks pulling up to a halt in the rough earth, men spilling out of them.

\"Least you're good for something,\" Ed muttered under his breath, yelping when Al jabbed a metal finger into his back.

\"Be nice, brother!\" he hissed.

\"Yeah, yeah,\" Ed grumbled, rubbing absently at the offended area. \"Thanks for the backup,\" he added grudgingly.

Roy was spared from answering when Havoc ambled back, having finished his conversation with the convoy leaders.

\"Damn, boss!\" Havoc exclaimed as he caught sight of Ed. \"What did you do<\/i>?\"

\"Nothing much,\" Ed shrugged. \"Mud's just dirt and water,\" he explained.

Havoc considered the heads poking up out of the churned-up earth with a low whistle. \"Nothing much? Not sure I wanna see you exert yourself then.\"

\"For the likes of these guys?\" Ed actually sounded a bit insulted. \"We barely had to break a sweat!\"

\"When we found the group of them training with their rifles, we had to find a way to stop them in a hurry,\" Al put in. \"Brother's idea worked like a charm!\"

The image of the two boys facing down an armed and violent militia nearly made Roy<\/i> break into a sweat. Al might be a suit of armour but Ed was all too vulnerable to gunfire, despite his bulletproof attitude. This could have ended much, much worse than it had. Danger to Ed aside, if it had been Roy or any other State Alchemist on the field, Roy had no doubt that the aspiring militia men would be suffering far worse than a few hours buried in mud. The image of broken bodies speared on spikes of earth flashed through his mind again and Roy spared a moment to be fiercely glad that Ed was a soldier in name only.

\"We can put the field back the way we found it,\" Al was hastily reassuring them.

\"Before you do that, what do you propose to do with your prisoners?\" Roy inquired, raising an eyebrow at Ed.

\"No problem. We can transmute them back out, now that we've got somewhere to put them,\" Ed replied offhandedly, ambling over to the nearest of the trapped men, Al at his heels.

Roy followed, too curious to remain aloof. Havoc fell in behind him as he trailed after the brothers. Without breaking stride, Roy gestured sharply at the men milling around the transport trucks, a team of them hurrying over in response to his summons. Once assured they were on their way, Roy turned his full attention to the Elrics again. The man they were approaching made a feeble attempt at defiance as they came close but the fear in his wide eyes gave him away.

Ed gave his captive an absent sneer as he looked over his shoulder at Roy. We ready?<\/i> that expression wanted to know and Roy nodded, waving at him to go ahead.

Ed's smirk was positively fiendish as he dropped to one knee, ignoring the way the man in front of him tried to lean away. With a quick glance over at Al, Ed clapped his hands and pressed them to the ground, which immediately turned slick and loosened around the man's neck. Before he could take advantage of his new freedom, Al had plunged a hand into the muck and was hauling him out by the collar. The man kicked and flailed but Al's grip was implacable and he'd efficiently plucked the weapon out of his hand as he cleared the dirt. Within seconds, the prisoner was standing between two of the soldiers Roy had brought with him, handcuffed, miserable and thickly covered in mud.

\"Not bad,\" Roy allowed, giving the Elrics an approving nod.

Ed shrugged but Roy caught the pleased curve of the smile he didn't quite hide.

\"It was nothing, Colonel,\" Al added modestly.

Roy shook his head. Only for the Elrics would something like this be nothing out of the ordinary.

\"So we'll just go and --\" Ed started, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at the still-buried men behind him.

Roy nodded and waved them away. \"The sooner you finish here, the sooner we can get back to civilization,\" he ordered, wondering if any of the city's restaurants would be open by the time they returned. He hadn't had time to eat before leaving and Ed always appreciated a good meal.

\"So we only have to do this, what, thirty-four more times?\" he heard Ed ask as they walked away.

\"Thirty-eight,\" Al corrected.

\"Thirty-eight? You mean there were thirty-nine<\/i> of these idiots?\" Ed's voice was incredulous.

Roy shook his head in resigned amusement. Some things never changed, Ed's dramatics apparently among them. And while he'd never admit it aloud, Roy preferred it that way. Watching the brothers routinely defy the impossible was entertaining as hell, despite the paperwork -- and never failed to remind Roy of why his own impossible task would always be worth pursuing. In the meantime, there was the enjoyment of Ed's creatively non-lethal solutions and the promise of a fine meal in better company waiting back at home.

Mountains had been moved by less than the antics of these brothers, Roy thought as he clasped his arms behind his back and strolled after the Elrics. Surely one little revolution would be easy<\/i> in comparison.

Fin<\/i><\/a>


Comments and feedback welcome! Thanks for reading."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:19849","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/19849.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=19849"}}],"title":"[ST XI] FIC: In Three Words (4\/4)","published":"2012-11-12T17:31:02Z","updated":"2012-11-13T07:05:10Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"star trek xi"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"in three words"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"See Masterpost<\/a> for story notes and warnings.


In Three Words - Part 4<\/u><\/b>


Unlike last time, they were set upon almost immediately after stepping out into the corridor. A small part of Jim\u2019s mind wondered if the increased number of monsters was significant of something; the rest of him was too occupied with staying alive. The first creature they encountered was another specimen of the many-eyed thing that had killed N\u2019Choa and Harris and Jim was unpleasantly surprised to learn that the fuckers were fast<\/i> and fond of pouncing. Bones\u2019 intervention kept it from getting to him with its claws or fireballs but it had been a near thing for a few terrifying seconds. Jim eventually landed a few clear shots and had the satisfaction of seeing it crash to the decking and flare brightly before vanishing.

The candle heads were also out in force but they were easy to dispatch.

\u201cGood cube fodder,\u201d Bones declared with a small, vicious grin as he swept a high-powered phaser bolt across a trio of them.

And cube fodder was a great<\/i> thing because Bones had been right about it. It was<\/i> wickedly powerful. Not to mention awfully damned impressive when fully deployed. Jim had looked over at the cube after Bones\u2019 comment and had happened to catch the wash of cool green light that spilled briefly across its ornamental face, his first indication of its state of readiness. A steady golden glow kindled in a few of the carvings on its surface.

Jim startled slightly when it spoke again, eagerly urging them to Use us!<\/i> as it waited at the ready.

Bones\u2019 grin faded back into tense readiness and Jim watched in fascination as he reached over his shoulder. He stopped short of touching the cube but when he lowered his hand the cube followed, hovering an inch or two above his open palm. Bones tucked his phaser under his arm as he prowled ahead, cube floating before him. It didn\u2019t take long to find something to use it on.

A bright light flared to life as they walked into a terminal room at a bend in the corridor. Jim jerked away from the swirl of gathering power, eyes narrowing against the sudden brightness. The yellow pillar of sizzling energy coalesced into a tall, gaunt humanoid with dead white skin, hands crackling with the remnants of the fire that had birthed it. It roared at them and Jim hastily dove away from the ball of plasma it flung his way. Bones ducked another blast but straightened quickly and launched the cube at it with a flick of his hand.

The cube\u2019s flight was swift and deadly. The instant it sped away from Bones, an impossible array of blades emerged into being and whirred into motion. Almost too fast to see, the fist-sized cube had unfolded into a spinning cluster of sharp edges that hissed through the air and ripped the monster to smoking shreds.

\u201cHoly shit, Bones!\u201d Jim said as the cube appeared out of the dissipating cloud, blades already tucked away into its typical, innocuous configuration as it sailed back to them and resumed its waiting position at Bones\u2019 shoulder. \u201cDon\u2019t suppose there are any more like that lying around?\u201d

Bones shook his head, almost cracking a smile. \u201cSorry, Jim. I think this is a one of a kind sort of thing.\u201d

Yeah, probably. If the ancient Martians had had a few more of these, they might still be around.

Judicious use of the single cube they had allowed Jim and Bones to work their way through over half of the distance they needed to travel before they ran into a dead end. Something had collapsed the ceiling of the corridor they were walking through, piled debris now obstructing their route. After a swift debate about how to proceed, they decided to backtrack to the nearest cross corridor. Bones was strong enough to clear a path but neither of them liked the idea of being trapped like that. Detouring around the obstacle would be quicker and leave them both free to act.

\u201cWhich way?\u201d Jim asked as they stood between the two doorways.

According to Bones, the left-hand option was the shorter of the two but there were things moving somewhere down that hallway. Even from where he stood, Jim could hear the shrill chittering, undercut by high, thin wails.

Bones grimaced and Jim wondered if he recognized the noise. \u201cThis one wouldn\u2019t be my first choice,\u201d he said flatly.

The doorway on the right was silent and a quick sweep of their lights didn\u2019t turn up anything alarming.

\u201cDoor #2 it is, then,\u201d Jim muttered as he trailed in after Bones, out in front as usual.

<\/center>

They passed through two sections of corridor without incident before everything went wrong. Jim had just cleared the door to the final leg of the detour when something dropped out of the shadows above and knocked him to the floor. The thing rode his shoulders to the ground, nearly driving Jim\u2019s face into the grating before he could react. He tried to throw it off but it pinned his arms to his sides with thin, hard limbs. He managed a strangled yell as something tore into his shoulder. Something scuttled up to his side, an indistinct, jerky movement at the edge of his peripheral vision, and there was a vicious jab of pain as something buried itself in the back of his thigh. And another in the other leg. He sort of lost track of things after that.

\u201cJim!\u201d Bones was shouting desperately. \u201cJim!<\/i>\u201d

There was the sound of phaser fire, scattering the things surrounding him in a flurry of screeching as the one perched on his back shuddered. It was wrenched off of him seconds later and a hand closed around his arm and dragged him to his feet. Jim tried to help as best he could but the onus was on Bones to keep them both moving, since Jim was having trouble remembering the finer points of how to walk. He sort of greyed out while Bones was manhandling him along, coming to with a sharp gasp and a low groan as his back hit a wall, sending pain lancing through him.

\u201cJim? Oh Jesus, oh God<\/i>. Jim, do not<\/i> do this to me. Jesus fucking Christ,\u201d Bones was begging.

Jim\u2019s legs buckled under him and he sagged in Bones\u2019 grip, sliding helplessly to the floor. \u201cSorry, Bones,\u201d he slurred.

\u201cDon\u2019t be sorry<\/i>, you stubborn little shit. Be alive<\/i>,\u201d Bones snapped.

Jim blinked slowly at him. He could barely feel Bones\u2019 frantic attempts at treatment and dimly recognized that the spreading numbness was not a good sign.

\u201cSorry, Bones,\u201d he found the strength to repeat. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to \u2014\u201d

\u201cShut up,\u201d Bones ordered brusquely.

\u201cBut \u2014\u201d

\u201cNo buts,\u201d Bones cut him off. \u201cYou sit there and you keep breathing and you do what I tell you.\u201d

And before Jim could protest, Bones shoved the cube in his hands and toggled the door open. Jim\u2019s vision had gone too blurry to make out what exactly came pouring into the room but it had way<\/i> too many legs. He flinched away from the flash of Bones\u2019 phaser, fading eyesight overwhelmed by the brightness.

Use us!<\/i> the cube whispered in his head.

\u201cYou heard it, Jim.\u201d Bones was back and kneeling at his side, pressing Jim\u2019s hand to the cube. \u201cUse it. Now!\u201d

Jim forced his eyes open again, letting his head roll to the side. He shoved weakly at Bones\u2019 shoulder. He didn\u2019t need a good look to know that the things with the legs were still coming. \u201cGet out \u2014 go!\u201d

\u201cUse it!\u201d Bones demanded fiercely, refusing to leave.

Jim didn't know how to \u2018use it\u2019 but he'd be damned if he was going to be the reason Bones died down here.

Help him,<\/i> he pleaded silently. Stop them!<\/i>

His hand was suddenly empty and Jim heard the reassuring metallic clatter of the cube\u2019s extended blades, followed by multiple squeals as it tore into the approaching monsters. He slumped in relief, sinking closer to unconsciousness with every ragged gasp when a surge of energy jolted him. His eyes snapped open and he automatically looked to Bones, crouched anxiously beside him.

\u201cJim?\u201d he checked worriedly.

\u201cI \u2014\u201d Jim said, jumping slightly as another burst of energy flooded his body. \u201cI think I\u2019m okay?\u201d

Against all reason, he actually was<\/i>. The pain of his injuries was subsiding into faint aches and even those were disappearing as another pulse of energy warmed him from the inside out. The numbness was thankfully receding under a tide of healthy sensation and his vision sharpened with every steady breath.

\u201cI\u2019m not sure how<\/i>,\u201d he added as he finished taking stock of his condition, \u201cbut I\u2019m okay.\u201d

\u201cOh thank Christ,\u201d Bones breathed, laying a shaking hand on Jim\u2019s shoulder and squeezing almost painfully tight.

\u201cDo you know how?\u201d Jim persisted. \u201cI mean, you\u2019re the best doctor I know but...\u201d

\u201cCan\u2019t take the credit for that,\u201d Bones answered, voice rough. \u201cThank that thing.\u201d

He pointed at the cube, hovering complacently over Jim\u2019s upturned fingertips.

\u201cHow did it...?\u201d Jim murmured.

Bones sat back on his heels. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he admitted. \u201cWhen I first picked it up, it said something about \u2018passing on the lifeforce of those we slay.\u2019 I think it\u2019s been helping all along. Even with my advantages, I shouldn\u2019t have survived the trip in to get it.\u201d

So it had saved both of their lives, even without considering its deadliness in combat. Jim wondered how one went about thanking a sentient alien artifact. Patting it seemed a bit condescending and he was just going to blame the urge to hug it on residual shock. Which he should really be making an effort to shake off now, he reminded himself sharply.

\u201cJust keeps getting more and more useful,\u201d Jim remarked, bracing himself against the wall as he gingerly stood up. \u201cCan we keep it when we\u2019re done?\u201d

\u201cLet\u2019s worry about getting out of here before we tackle the question of what we want to bring back with us, huh?\u201d Bones asked dryly, catching Jim\u2019s arm to steady him.

\u201cFine, fine. Ready when you are.\u201d

It wasn\u2019t much further, Bones assured him as they got back to it. That was a good thing, Jim knew, but he wasn\u2019t thrilled by the way that the temperature was increasing as they progressed. The thought that they were walking into something worse than they were trying to outrun wasn\u2019t comforting. So Jim had hoped he was imagining things. The air wasn\u2019t really getting hotter. And the ambient light wasn\u2019t really taking on a sooty orange tinge. And surely that smell was all in his head.

\u2026Jim used to be much better at lying to himself than this.

He risked a glance over at Bones and his stomach sank at the tight, strained expression on Bones\u2019 face. Definitely not all in his head, then.

\u201cToo far to go back now,\u201d Jim said after he caught Bones looking back over his shoulder for the third time in a few minutes. \u201cOnly way out is through.\u201d

It wasn\u2019t anything less than the truth and enough motivation to keep them moving deeper into the disturbingly changed complex. The shaft they were aiming for sat over one of the excavation sites Olduvai had been built to disguise. The excavation itself was heavily fortified but dotted with exit points that would get them to a place they could yell for help. At least, that had been the plan. When they got their first look at what had become of the dig site, instead of hopes of rescue, Jim found himself thinking of frying pans and fire.

The heat was overwhelming, scorching air stinging Jim\u2019s skin and lungs. Wavering orange light added to the effect, fiery flickers twisting at the edges of his vision. The network of catwalks and stairways Bones had been hoping to climb to safety were still there but looked oddly warped, courtesy of the uncertain light. The entire ground floor of the complex had vanished, swallowed up in an immense hole. Jim couldn\u2019t get a good look at what was inside; it hurt his eyes to look at it directly. Besides, the massive monster standing next to the hole was pretty attention-grabbing.

\u201cWhat the hell is that<\/i>?\u201d Jim hissed, peering at the thing from the dubious cover of the doorway.

\u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d Bones answered, voice wavering between frustration and fear. \u201cThis place never runs out of new shit to throw at me!\u201d

We are the only way to destroy the enemy's mightiest warrior,<\/i> the cube chimed abruptly. Destroying evil gives us life, and makes us stronger. Unleash us when you hear our call.<\/i>

Jim had nearly jumped out of his skin at the cube\u2019s unexpected interjection and now he traded uneasy glances with an equally startled Bones.

\u201cDoes that mean what I think it means?\u201d Bones demanded in an undertone, scowling at the cube.

\u201cI don\u2019t know but I\u2019m not in any hurry to jump out and test our phasers\u2019 efficacy against that thing!\u201d Jim pointed out.

They snuck another look at the behemoth lumbering around the edge of the pit. It was easily three times their height, an unholy mishmash of bulging muscle and gleaming metal. The floor under their feet trembled with the force of its steps. It wouldn\u2019t surprise Jim to see the thing shake off their phaser bolts as if they were fireflies. He was willing to bet that they wouldn\u2019t have as much luck surviving whatever the thing shot out of the cannon posing as its right arm.

They\u2019d just have to make sure they didn\u2019t get hit, then.

\u201cOkay, so how are we doing this?\u201d he asked.

\u201cDon\u2019t suppose you\u2019d agree to do the smart thing and get out of here while I take care of that fucker?\u201d Bones ventured.

Jim swallowed his reflexive objection to that idea and forced himself to think about it. Not his preferred choice, needless to say, but Bones\u2019 suggestion had merit. They only had one cube, after all. But Jim had four signal boosters.

\u201cOn one condition,\u201d he finally said, fishing out the equipment he needed and starting on a hasty rewiring job.

\u201cReally?\u201d The surprise in Bones\u2019 voice would have been comical on any other day. \u201cI mean, what condition?\u201d

\u201cYou take this with you,\u201d Jim instructed, pointing at the boosters he was hooking into a single unit. Even if the Enterprise<\/i> couldn\u2019t find Bones on her own, Jim could tell them what frequency to look for. Or call out line of sight coordinates for a blind transport, if all else failed. \u201cAnd you don\u2019t bitch when the Enterprise pulls out in the middle of your heroics.\u201d

\u201cDone,\u201d Bones accepted immediately. \u201cSo long as you hurry up about it,\u201d he added, looking over his shoulder.

Jim resisted the urge to check out what had prompted that shattering roar and kept working. It couldn\u2019t be anything worth wasting the time. It only took him a few minutes to finish and he held out the linked boosters for Bones to take.

\u201cYou aren\u2019t allowed to die down here either,\u201d he said seriously as Bones tucked the signal device into his uniform. \u201cYou hear me, Bones?\u201d

\u201cI hear you,\u201d Bones told him, clasping a hand at the base of Jim\u2019s neck and shaking him lightly. \u201cYou just remember to follow your own damn orders.\u201d

Jim thumped a fist into Bones\u2019 chest, unwilling to risk anything more demonstrative. \u201cSee you on the other side, old man,\u201d he promised steadily.

Walking away from Bones was one of the hardest things Jim had ever done but he did it because it was their only chance. He stayed focused on the catwalks under his feet, alert for any lurking danger. There was every reason to suspect there\u2019d be some sort of threat, given the number of monsters crawling out of the hole at the bottom of the shaft. They were undoubtedly the targets of the phaser fire Jim could hear as he climbed, Bones\u2019 attempts to charge the cube and turn it loose on \u2018the enemy\u2019s greatest warrior.\u2019 It didn\u2019t take long and Jim smiled thinly as the sound of whirring blades echoed up to him, followed by a roar that shook the metal under him.

It left his ears ringing so badly that he barely heard the most wonderful noise in the universe until his communicator chirped again. He nearly tore it out of his pocket in his haste.

\u201cEnterprise<\/i>, this is Kirk!\u201d he shouted. \u201cEnterprise<\/i>, do you read?\u201d

\u201cWe read you, Captain,\u201d Spock\u2019s voice answered calmly.

\u201cIt is goddamn good to hear that, Spock,\u201d Jim replied fervently. \u201cCan you get us out of here?\u201d

\u201cWe have a partial lock on your position,\u201d Spock told him, \u201cbut are unable to locate any other crew members. Who else is with you?\u201d

\u201cBones,\u201d Jim started but his reply was drowned out by another bellow from below as the cube took another shot at the giant guarding the hole.

\u201cJust Bones,\u201d he continued as soon as the noise subsided. \u201cScan for the boosters you sent with us,\u201d he ordered. \u201cBones is carrying three of them. They\u2019re patched together.\u201d

\u201cWe are doing so,\u201d Spock assured him and Jim could have kissed the Vulcan practicality that kept Spock from asking useless questions about what the hell that sound had been.

\u201cMake it quick, Spock!\u201d Jim couldn\u2019t help but urge. He knew they were working as fast as they could but still... \u201cWe need out of here as soon as it can be managed.\u201d

He glanced over the edge of the walkway to the battle below, relieved to see phaser bolts continuing to lance out from a concealed position against the wall. The cube flickered into view a moment later, blades at full extension and shot out towards the monstrosity in the centre of the room. Jim\u2019s eyes went wide as it buried itself in the centre of that horned head, knocking the giant back into the hole. A low rumble followed, leaving Jim to clutch frantically at the railing as the entire place shuddered around him. He swore when a sudden blast of heat and light caught him in the face, raising one arm to shield his eyes. There was molten rock welling up in the pit now, spilling over the edge and pouring slowly into the bottom of the shaft.

\u201cBones!<\/i>\u201d he yelled, desperately searching for any sign of him. \u201cJesus \u2014 Get out of there!\u201d

\u201cWe have you, Captain!\u201d Spock announced suddenly. \u201cEnergizing now.\u201d

Jim had never been so happy to feel a transporter tugging at him. Not ever.

\u201cBones?\u201d he demanded immediately upon rematerialization, infinitely relieved by the dry comment at his back.

\u201cRight here, Jim.\u201d

And he was. Exhausted and filthy but there.

The hell with captainly decorum,<\/i> Jim decided, then flung an arm around Bones\u2019 neck, clutching him even more tightly as Bones slid a bracing arm around his waist.

\u201cWe are never<\/i> letting that happen again,\u201d Jim promised quietly. Bones\u2019 breath caught in his throat and he squeezed Jim tightly for a second before he stepped away.

\u201cThere\u2019s no place like home!\u201d Jim announced brightly to Spock, standing at the transporter panel and as unruffled as ever by his captain\u2019s exuberant displays. \u201cThanks for the save, Spock.\u201d

Spock inclined his head. \u201cIt is good to have you back.\u201d

\u201cI\u2019ve got one more task for you, though,\u201d Jim said.

Spock raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry.

\u201cThat facility needs to be destroyed,\u201d Jim said flatly. \u201cCompletely. Can you make it happen?\u201d

\u201cCertainly, Captain,\u201d Spock told him without hesitation. \u201cShould this be accomplished immediately?\u201d

\u201cYes,\u201d Bones and Jim answered in unison.

\u201cThen I shall return to the Bridge and see that it is done,\u201d Spock told them.

Jim forced Bones to detour long enough to get the worst of the soot and blood off of them before he joined him in a headlong rush to the Bridge. Spock was standing next to the command chair when they arrived, clearly waiting for them. He stepped aside with a solemn nod as Jim approached, returning to his station as Bones assumed his usual position at Jim\u2019s shoulder.

\u201cAre we ready to do this, gentlemen?\u201d Jim asked.

\u201cYes, Captain,\u201d Spock answered.

The PADD lying on the arm of Jim\u2019s chair lit up and he gave it a brief glance, noting the calculations and damage projections.

\u201cExcellent,\u201d Jim said. \u201cMr. Sulu. Fire at will.\u201d

Jim watched the displays, viciously satisfied to see the reports of Olduvai crumbling under his ship\u2019s weapons.

\u201cCaptain,\u201d Uhura said almost immediately. \u201cWe\u2019re receiving several inquiries and orders to desist.\u201d

Jim waited a few seconds to give the order. Just to make sure<\/i> there was nothing left.

\u201cI apologize, Captain,\u201d Spock offered in a monotone. \u201cEvidently, I neglected to inform the proper authorities of the actions we would be taking. I take complete blame for the oversight.\u201d

Jim waved that away. \u201cIt\u2019s been a pretty rough day for all of us, Spock. We\u2019ll get it smoothed over.\u201d He\u2019d always been a big believer in the notion that it was easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Uhura looked up from her station, interrupting the stream of apologies she\u2019d been sending. \u201cAdmiral Whitlock for you, sir. Urgent and requiring an immediate response.\u201d

\u201cI\u2019ll bet,\u201d Bones snorted softly, eyes still glued to the data scrolling across the main screens.

\u201cPut it through to my ready room, Lieutenant,\u201d Jim instructed as he rose.

He wasn\u2019t entirely surprised when Bones fell into step beside him but he held his tongue until they exited the Bridge.

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to be here for this,\u201d Jim tried as the door slid shut behind them.

\u201cYeah, Jim. I do,\u201d Bones insisted and Jim shrugged.

Bones was a big boy. If he wanted to come be yelled at by an admiral, who was Jim to stop him? Besides, Jim could to admit to himself that he\u2019d much rather have Bones close to hand at the moment. Disaster and repeated near deaths had left him willing to indulge in a bit of clinginess.

Jim settled into his chair and turned on his terminal, flicking a glance back at Bones, at military attention at his shoulder.

\u201cHello, Admiral. What can I-\u201d

\u201cWhat the hell<\/i> do you think you\u2019re doing, Kirk?\u201d she shouted. \u201cDestroying the facility we sent you to investigate? Firing on Mars?! Have you lost your mind<\/i>?\u201d

\u201cI can explain, Admiral,\u201d Jim said calmly.

\u201cIt better be a good one,\u201d she warned angrily. \u201cOr I\u2019ll have your commission for this!\u201d

\u201cThe destruction of Olduvai was necessary,\u201d he started, stalling for time to think about how to spin his report. He hoped Bones had enough sense to keep his mouth shut and follow Jim\u2019s lead.

\u201cPerhaps I can help to explain the situation,\u201d Spock announced as he strode into the ready room unannounced.

Jim almost raised an eyebrow of his own but signalled Spock to go ahead.

Spock tapped some information onto his PADD before setting it down on Jim\u2019s desk and assuming a stance at Jim\u2019s other shoulder.

\u201cAs you can see from the data which I have just sent you, the anomalous energy and seismic phenomena that were manifesting at the former UAC outpost presented an immediate threat to the other colonies on Mars. That threat needed to be addressed promptly and with sufficient force to nullify it. The Captain\u2019s solution was a drastic one but the timeframe was very limited,\u201d Spock explained.

Jim was extremely grateful for his misspent youth right then. If he hadn\u2019t spent so much time in and out of gambling games, his poker face never would have held up throughout Spock\u2019s little speech. Not to mention the mountains of very convincing evidence Spock had produced to support it.

\u201cSorry if we scared anyone,\u201d Jim interjected, allowing his usual informality to reassert itself. \u201cLike Spock said, we didn\u2019t have much time to act.\u201d

Whitlock had calmed somewhat, paging through the data on her side of the connection. \u201cWe\u2019ll take a look through this,\u201d she conceded grudgingly. \u201cBut Command isn\u2019t thrilled with your dramatics, Kirk.\u201d

She continued on in that vein for a few minutes, Jim nodding dutifully in all the right places. It took some effort to maintain the careful balance of repentance and confidence that typically carried him through the admiralty\u2019s lectures. The smugness with which he usually consoled himself was markedly absent today, leaving just a desperate gratitude that he and Bones were alive and safe on the ship.

Whitlock seemed to take a closer look at him as she wound down and sighed heavily at whatever she saw. \u201cThe report says you lost ten people down there?\u201d

Jim nodded somberly. \u201cWe did, Admiral.\u201d

She rubbed a hand over her mouth and sighed again. \u201cWe\u2019ll take a look through this,\u201d she repeated, raising the PADD. \u201cGo get cleaned up in the meantime, Captain. You look like hell.\"

Silence fell in the ready room after Whitlock signed off, broken when Bones slid the PADD over the desk towards him and glanced quickly through the information Spock had prepared.

\u201c\u2018Presented an immediate threat to the other colonies on Mars,\u2019 huh?\u201d he asked as he scrolled.

\u201cDid it not?\u201d Spock replied, an almost challenging quirk to his raised eyebrow.

\u201cWell, yeah,\u201d Jim admitted. \u201cBut how did you know that?\u201d

Spock was the only being Jim had ever met who could shrug so impassively. \u201cDespite your emotional natures, neither of you is inclined towards exaggeration in circumstances such as these. Your appearances and demeanors upon returning to the ship suggested significant distress. If your assessment of the situation indicated the need for decisive action, it is my responsibility to aid you in carrying it out.\u201d

\u201c...You couldn\u2019t just say that you trust us and you\u2019d take our word for it?\u201d Bones retorted but the thin veneer of annoyance wasn\u2019t fooling anyone.

Spock\u2019s brow furrowed in disapproval. \u201cI have come to understand the emotional natures of other species,\u201d he countered. \u201cI see no need to partake in them.\u201d

\u201cWe\u2019d be lost without you and your logic, Spock,\u201d Jim allowed, not bothering to hide his grin.

\u201cLogic would dictate that you undergo a thorough medical examination, Captain,\u201d Spock promptly replied.

\u201cFor once, we agree,\u201d Bones put in.

\u201cFrom bickering to ganging up on me in under ten seconds,\u201d Jim complained as he stood up. \u201cThat\u2019s got to be a record.\u201d

He let them usher him down to Sickbay with nothing more than token complaints, however. He balked only when Bones brushed off his staff\u2019s attempts to check on him.

\u201cBe sure to jab him with as many hyposprays as you can!\u201d Jim called helpfully as Chapel led Bones to another biobed. \u201cYou won\u2019t get many chances!\u201d

Chapel\u2019s cheerful \u201cYes, Captain,\u201d overlaid Bones\u2019 \u201cShut up, Jim!\u201d and Jim snickered as the medical staff set to work.

No one found anything wrong with either one of them that a good night\u2019s sleep wouldn\u2019t cure and they were sent off with instructions to do just that. Jim wasn\u2019t terribly surprised when Bones silently followed him to his room, slipping in behind him and stalking around the room. Jim poured himself a drink \u2014 after today, he definitely<\/i> deserved one \u2014 and splashed some into a glass for Bones as an afterthought.

\u201cSo. Down there. What the hell was that?\u201d he asked as he handed off the glass.

Bones shook his head. \u201cFucked if I know,\u201d he answered honestly. \u201cOut of control experiments? Extradimensional aliens? Demons? Pick one. I don\u2019t really care what they were. We got out \u2014 that\u2019s good enough for me.\u201d

Jim nodded tightly. \u201cNot going to argue with that. At least we made good and goddamned sure that no one else will be getting back in.\u201d

\u201cI\u2019ll drink to that,\u201d Bones muttered and proceeded to do so.

Jim nursed his own drink, waiting for the inevitable explosion. It wasn\u2019t long in coming.

\u201cI just don\u2019t get what the hell you were thinking, going down there!\u201d

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know,\u201d Jim replied breezily. \u201cMaybe something like, \u2018Holy fuck, Bones is stuck in his worst nightmare and probably getting killed down there right now<\/i>\u2019?\u201d

Bones made a sharp, frustrated gesture. \u201cYou said you\u2019d stay here!\u201d

\u201cNo, I said I wouldn\u2019t go down with you,\u201d Jim corrected. \u201cI didn\u2019t say anything about leaving you to die.\u201d

\u201cYou should have!\u201d Bones shouted, slamming his drink down on the table and pacing angrily.

\u201cOh like hell<\/i> I should have!\u201d Jim shot back. \u201cLike I could<\/i> have!\u201d

\u201cWhy the fuck not?\u201d Bones demanded.

\u201cJesus, Bones. You know why.\u201d

\u201cNo, Jim. I don\u2019t! Why would you ever<\/i> think that going into Olduvai was a good idea?\u201d

\u201cYou know<\/i> why!\u201d Jim repeated.

Bones crossed his arms and glared.

\u201cDon\u2019t make me say<\/i> it, you stubborn asshole,\u201d Jim complained.

Bones\u2019 temper faltered for the first time since he\u2019d flared up. \u201cJim, I \u2014 you can\u2019t.\u201d

\u201cToo late,\u201d Jim told him brightly. \u201cI already do. Have done for years.\u201d

He sighed at the helpless look Bones gave him and put his own glass down before crossing the room to stand in front of him.

\u201cThis isn\u2019t a surprise, old man,\u201d he said gently. \u201cOr it shouldn\u2019t be. And don\u2019t you dare try to convince me it\u2019s one-sided.\u201d

\u201cNever pretended otherwise,\u201d Bones conceded, shoulders slumping as his posture loosened.

\u201cYou never did,\u201d Jim agreed, edging a bit further into his personal space. It had been a revelation to Jim and was probably the only reason he\u2019d made it out here in the first place. \u201cDid I ever mention that I\u2019m goddamn glad I met you?\u201d

\u201cLikewise,\u201d Bones answered, burying the reply in Jim\u2019s shoulder.

Jim wrapped his arms around him and hung on. This time, neither one of them was in a hurry to let go.

Things didn\u2019t really change much between them after Olduvai. Except that Jim\u2019s tendency to occasionally crawl into Bones\u2019 bed became something more like regular habit. And often involved a lot more than sleeping. All changes for the good, as far as Jim was concerned. If he was going to be next thing to married to his best friend, he figured that he ought to be enjoying all of the benefits.

The crew seemed more amused than anything by the unspoken shift in their relationship, even on nights when Bones had overestimated even his prodigious stamina and been kicked out of Sickbay by his own staff. Jim had shown up in response to their off-the-record complaints to pick him up and escort him back to his room. He\u2019d kept Bones awake long enough to stuff some food into him, then dragged him off to bed where Bones had promptly collapsed into a deep sleep on his shoulder. Jim chuckled at the role reversal and let him sleep, enjoying the warmth of Bones\u2019 solid weight against his side.

He lifted one hand into the air above his face, barely able to make out the fingers he wriggled against the dimness of the ceiling. Just a pale blur in the shadows, really.

Aside from Bones, there wasn\u2019t much certainty in Jim\u2019s life. Futures in the fleet weren\u2019t fixed. Jim wouldn\u2019t mind staying on this ride as long as it lasted but he knew it wouldn\u2019t last forever. There were dangers to consider. Not to mention promotions, retirements, new friends, old enemies and the list went on. But for now? Jim had the best crew in the universe, the best ship in the fleet, Bones napping on his chest and a few years left on their tour of duty. Time to enjoy himself, yet.

He considered his hand again. His fingers moved smoothly, painlessly. Normally that wouldn\u2019t be cause for contemplation but earlier today, a minor mishap in Engineering had left him bruised and scratched. He\u2019d shrugged it off and redirected Scotty\u2019s attention to the mess in his engine room. By the time he\u2019d remembered to clean it off, the thin lines of blood had washed away and revealed unblemished skin underneath. Jim had stared down at himself for a long, uncomprehending moment. He\u2019d tightened his hand into a fist when he remembered a chorus of voices pouring into his mind, a promise of aid and the warm pulses of energy that had saved his life. And maybe more?

The journey was the destination, Jim\u2019d been told. He liked the idea and his life had been one hell of a ride so far. He let his hand drop and shifted onto his side, drawing Bones into his arms. The sleepy snuffle of his breath into Jim\u2019s ear made him smile and tuck his free hand under Bones\u2019 shirt, wanting skin under his palm. Jim didn\u2019t know if he had five years left or fifty or five hundred but he was looking forward to finding out.

Fin<\/i>


Back to Part 3<\/a>

Back to the Masterpost <\/a><\/a>


Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:19556","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/19556.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=19556"}}],"title":"[ST XI] FIC: In Three Words (3\/4)","published":"2012-11-12T17:27:49Z","updated":"2013-01-06T23:23:12Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"star trek xi"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"in three words"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"See Masterpost<\/a> for story notes and warnings.


In Three Words - Part 3<\/u><\/b>


They rematerialized in a dim room, a large one from the echoes their own shuffling movements threw back at them. The air was warm and musty, heavy with the stillness of centuries. Lights snapped on as the security team fanned out, taking stock of their surroundings. Jim swept his own light across the room, finding little beyond cracked walls and dark equipment. The place was awash in personal detritus; fragile leaves of paper, empty cups, a pair of antique eye glasses, a collection of unfamiliar items surrounded by even less familiar machinery.

Olduvai had been a research facility. If Jim had to guess, he\u2019d say this room had been some kind of laboratory. To his surprise, a few of the light panels were flickering faintly. The initial survey teams must have carried in and installed some power cells. The overall effect wasn\u2019t reassuring, despite the lightening of the oppressive darkness.

\u201cEnsign?\u201d he prompted.

N\u2019Choa lifted his head from the tricorder readings. \u201cConditions are safe, Captain. But the interference continues to affect our equipment.\u201d

Jim bit down on a sigh of relief. There was a taste of something unpleasant on the air and it had worried him. \u201cGood. Do what you can to get us a reading on the layout of this place. And let me know as soon as you find any clue as to where our people might be.\u201d

The rest of the team had finished securing the room and arrayed themselves in defensible positions as a pair of them examined the door. The mechanisms were intact, they told Jim. Getting out shouldn\u2019t be difficult. He stepped back and let them work, conversing quietly with the security lieutenant about how to proceed. When the door locks finally gave way, the team was ready to go.

The lab had been creepy enough, abandoned and in disarray, but the corridors were much worse. Power trickled only fitfully through the hallway systems, touching off unreliable fits of brightness. The team moved carefully through the shifting darkness but their shadows moved with them and it set all their nerves on edge. The shifting of loose debris on the walkways under their feet didn\u2019t help, necessitating that they watch their footing as well as the empty spaces yawning to either side as corridors branched off into nothing. The walls reflected more noise than light, confusing their ears with the multiplied sound of their own passage.

N\u2019Choa broke the tense silence to say, \u201cI\u2019m getting some really strange energy readings,\u201d just as Jim noticed the hallway brightening with a weird orange light. From the way their shadows stretched jaggedly in front of them on the increasingly-visible walls, the source of the light was somewhere behind them. The foremost pair held their position as everyone else turned around for a better look. The mouth of the cross-corridor they\u2019d passed about fifteen feet back was illuminated by a warm orange glow. It continued to brighten as they watched.

\u201cWhat the hell is that<\/i>?\u201d someone muttered as something drifted slowly into view.

Jim was wondering that himself, squinting at the mysterious object. It was pale, round, and apparently floating under its own power, hovering about six feet above the floor. And it appeared to be on fire. Jim\u2019s hands automatically tightened on his phaser rifle as the burning...thing bobbed further into the hallway, slowly rotating in place.

\u201cOh my fucking God,\u201d Jim heard someone else say as the object\u2019s lazy spin revealed that it had a face<\/i>.

It was a head<\/i>. A bald, disembodied head, hanging in midair. And it was on fire<\/i>.

\u201cI think this is the part where we try talking to it,\u201d Jim forced himself to say, keeping his voice steady. Freaky as it looked, a flaming, misshapen lump of waxy flesh wouldn\u2019t be the strangest sentient lifeform the universe had to offer.

And the candle head did<\/i> react to the sound of his voice. Unfortunately, its reaction consisted of dropping its jaw unnaturally wide and screeching before it launched<\/i> itself at them in an alarming burst of speed.

\u201cOn second thought, forget talking!\u201d Jim shouted, raising his weapon. The security officers beat him to it, phaser bolts lancing out and staggering the thing\u2019s approach. It absorbed a couple of strikes before vanishing with a grating hiss and a quickly-fading bloom of flame.

Unfortunately, it had friends. Four more candle heads drifted into the hallway. They reacted far more quickly than the first one had, almost immediately orienting themselves and speeding into the skirmish. To everyone\u2019s relief, they were as easily dispatched.

Jim frantically tried to blink away the afterimages, squinting through the vivid washes of colour overlaid on his view of the newly-darkened hallway. He was starting to get a real appreciation for why Bones had been so adamant about not coming back to this place. When they got out of here, he thought he might take up Bones\u2019 cause of getting Olduvai wiped off of the planet.

\u201cEveryone all right?\u201d he checked, reassured by the prompt chorus of affirmations. \u201cRight. Then what say we get a move on so we can get out of here?\u201d

Bones hadn\u2019t offered too many details about Olduvai\u2019s layout. Simple observation was enough to learn that most of the complex was subterranean, exacerbating their problems with scanning through the interference from the ship. In hindsight, Jim wished he\u2019d asked a few more pointed questions. Like how damn big<\/i> was the place? And where might one go to find wayward survey teams?

...Although the sound of yelling and phaser fire might be a clue.

The team went on alert, hands on weapons and eyes scanning the gloom for some sign of what was happening. Jim shook his head in frustration as he swept the corridor. The echoes were too disorienting to trust.

\u201cWhere\u2019s that coming from?\u201d Jim demanded of N\u2019Choa, already studying his tricorder readings.

\u201cI think \u2014 That way!\u201d he said, pointing.

They followed his direction as quickly as they dared. As much as they wanted to find their missing crewmates, leaving themselves exposed to anything else that might blunder in from a cross corridor wasn\u2019t an option. Stumbling out of the cramped hallway onto a raised walkway circling the top of another large, dimly-lit laboratory was something of a relief; at least now they could see the weirdness coming. Even better, it gave Jim a clear view of Ensign Heynor advancing cautiously into the room from one of the floor-level doorways.

\u201cClear!\u201d she called over her shoulder.

Oh thank fuck.<\/i> Jim clamped down on an incoherent rush of relief when Bones backed into the room from the corridor behind her, weapon trained on the shadowy doorway from which he\u2019d emerged. Both of them were the worse for wear and they were four men short but Bones was there. Four condolence letters wouldn\u2019t be any fun to write but at least Jim wouldn\u2019t be writing them alone.

Bones stopped to fiddle with the control panel beside the entryway, shoulders relaxing slightly as the door slammed shut. He joined Heynor, saying something Jim couldn\u2019t make out, and they moved further into the room. It only took Bones a couple of seconds to spot Jim and the others clustered on the upper level walkway and he reflexively raised his weapon, snapping a warning to Heynor. Even at this distance, Jim could see the surprise on Bones\u2019 upturned face as he recognized them.

\u201cGoddamnit! What the hell<\/i> are you doing here?\u201d he shouted up at them.

\u201cYou were late!\u201d Jim called back with a grin, too pleased to see Bones to be properly contrite. \u201cWhat did I tell you about that?\u201d

Jim hadn\u2019t known that Bones could curse like that. He\u2019d have to remember some of those phrases.

\u201cYou about ready to get out of here?\u201d he asked, pointing a thumb over his shoulder. \u201cOur ride\u2019s waiting.\u201d

Bones\u2019 response was lost under a deep, coughing roar. The opposite corner of the room, previously obscured by shadow, abruptly lit up as a fireball streaked towards Jim and his security team. They scattered as best they could, hampered by the limited space of the walkway. Jim felt hands on his shoulders, shoving him towards the safety of the stairway leading to the floor. He flung himself down the first flight, one hand catching the railing as the other steadied the officers hurtling after him.

N\u2019Choa and Kallings had ducked back into the corridor for cover. Hexen and Parsons never got the chance to move before the fireball slammed into them.

\u201cShoot the son of a bitch!\u201d Bones was shouting at Heynor, suiting action to words as he opened fire.

The flash of the phaser bolts showed a bulbous red shape, reflected off of rows of teeth and horns as it glided closer. This thing was no floating head; the round mass of its body looked to be nearly five feet across. Jim scrambled down the stairs, Harris and Lawlor at his heels, as the red thing\u2019s mouth gaped open and it spat another fireball at them. Bones and Heynor kept firing as Jim and the others clattered to the bottom of the stairs, raising their own weapons. The thing shuddered under their combined fire, eventually disappearing in a burst of flame similar to the one that had consumed the candle head-things that had attacked them in the hallway.

There was no point in asking if everyone was okay, Jim realized, staring at the too-still, blackened bodies he could see lying on the grate of the walkway over their heads. He hadn\u2019t been hurt and it seemed as if Harris and Lawlor had also escaped without injury.

\u201cBones?\u201d he asked, turning to examine him and Heynor. They looked even more battered up close, uniforms torn and liberally splattered with blood and other gore. Jim was still ridiculously glad to see him.

Bones shook his head. \u201cWe\u2019re okay,\u201d he dismissed. \u201cThe others...are gone.\u201d

Jim hissed a frustrated breath. He\u2019d been expecting that but having it confirmed didn\u2019t make him a happy captain. \u201cI\u2019m starting to see why you\u2019re holding a grudge against this place.\u201d

\u201cThat would be why I wanted you to stay away<\/i> from it,\u201d Bones retorted, the lines of strain on his face deepening as he scowled. \u201cWhich we are going to have words about after we get out of this hellhole. You said something about a ride?\u201d

Jim nodded. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get a level or two higher but Spock\u2019ll beam us out as soon as we get past the worst of the interference. Lawlor, Harris. Check out the integrity of the stairs.\u201d

They\u2019d taken at least a couple of direct hits from the red thing\u2019s fireballs and Jim wasn\u2019t inclined to take chances with the architecture. There were enough things trying to kill them in here already.

Stepping away from the flimsy cover the stairs had provided, he craned his head to check on the remaining pair of his team. They\u2019d survived the thing\u2019s attack, he was glad to see. N\u2019Choa was peering over the railing at them and Kallings was picking his way across to see if there was anything to be done for Hexen and Parsons. The slow shake of his head, barely visible at this angle, was no real surprise.

That was six down, and yeah, Jim was really sympathizing with Bones\u2019 hate-on for this place.

\u201cYou two keep an eye on things from there until we figure out a safe way to get back up to you,\u201d Jim called, waiting until N\u2019Choa and Kallings acknowledged his order before turning his attention to the investigation of the stairs. Lawlor was making his way up, pausing to test the solidity here and there. So far, so good, it seemed.

\u201cDid you hear something?\u201d he heard Kallings ask.

\u201cThe creepy head-things didn\u2019t make that noise before,\u201d N\u2019Choa replied dubiously as they moved closer to the doorway, weapons at the ready.

They all heard the loud crackling and a rising, nerve-shredding hum. There was something lighting up the hall from which they\u2019d entered, something that flared a bright orange-yellow.

\u201cOh God,\u201d Heynor whispered and from the corner of his eyes, Jim saw her go ashen under the livid scrapes on her face.

\u201cFuck, no,\u201d Bones spat, raising his voice to bellow at them. \u201cGet out of there!\u201d

Above them, something shrieked as N\u2019Choa and Kallings opened fire. Lawlor cursed and ran up the remainder of the steps, Harris at his heels despite the way the stairs shuddered under their footsteps. When Jim moved to follow them, he found Bones\u2019 arm blocking his way.

\u201cLet me go,\u201d he demanded, \u201cI have to help \u2014\u201d

\u201cYou have to live<\/i>,\u201d Bones interrupted. \u201cAnd you won\u2019t do that if you go up there.\u201d

He closed a hand in an implacable grip on Jim\u2019s arm, dragging him away from the struggle above. \u201cGet that door open!\u201d he ordered Heynor, pointing at a sealed portal ten feet to the left of them.

\u201cWe can\u2019t just leave them!\u201d Jim protested, tugging against Bones\u2019 grip.

Bones didn\u2019t bother arguing. The bodies that came crashing through the upper railing to land almost at their feet pretty much said it all. Kallings was badly burned, groaning and stirring weakly but Lawlor had been torn open from neck to groin. Jim\u2019s stomach lurched at the gaping wound and he hastily looked away from the slick ruin of internal organs. He forced himself to focus on the fact that Kallings was still alive but unlikely to remain that way if they didn\u2019t help him, and soon.

A body crashed heavily to the grating over their heads and Jim reflexively hunched his shoulders as he dashed the few steps required to kneel hastily at Kallings\u2019s side. Bones followed, muttering a steady stream of curses as he hastily assessed Kallings\u2019 condition. From his strained frown, Jim didn\u2019t think much of Kallings\u2019 chances. N\u2019Choa screamed overhead and Jim swallowed hard when the shrill sound broke off with a gurgle.

A heavy footstep rattled the walkway above them. Jim automatically looked up and shuddered at the sight of the tall, scaly creature leering down at them. Its grey-white skin was pulled taut across its bulging forehead and a multitude of eyes flickered open and shut as it spotted them. Its screech shocked Jim into action and he scrambled to his feet.

\u201cJim, move<\/i>!\u201d Bones shouted as the thing lifted one oversized hand, yellow energy crackling around its fingers. \u201cHeynor, get the damn door!\u201d

\u201cIt\u2019s open!\u201d

Scooping up Kallings as he rose, Bones shoved Jim ahead of him as they ran for the door. Heynor hovered anxiously in the entryway, jabbing frantically at the panel as they dove through. The door jerked to a close just ahead of the fireball that slammed into the floor outside of it, cutting off the grey creature\u2019s frustrated shriek.

\u201cWhat is<\/i> it with these things and fire?\u201d Jim demanded shakily as he leaned against the wall, panting. If the question had an ever so slightly hysterical tinge, he thought that was perfectly understandable, what with eight dead crewmen and a sudden preponderance of monsters popping up out of nowhere to try and set them on fire.<\/i>

\u201cWho the fuck knows?\u201d Bones answered, busy propping Kallings up as he rummaged through his own pockets. Jim was almost surprised to see him come up holding a hypospray. Kallings was conscious now though in obvious pain, sucking in air in short, whimpering gasps. Bones shot Jim a sideways look, his expression almost guilty as he thumbed the settings on his hypospray.

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Kallings,\u201d Bones soothed as he set the hypospray against an uninjured patch of skin on Kallings\u2019 neck. \u201cWe learned some pretty neat tricks back in the Marines. This\u2019ll fix you right up.\u201d

The lines of pain eased almost immediately from Kallings\u2019 expression and he straightened up, cautiously at first but more confidently as he caught his balance. \u201cThat\u2019s great, Doc! Thanks!\u201d

Jim returned his relieved smile, careful not to react to the way the burned skin of Kallings\u2019 cheek split as his expression changed. His heart turned over when Bones refused to meet his eyes, occupying himself with tucking the hypospray away. A neat trick, indeed.

\u201cSo where to now, Bones?\u201d he prompted, kindly ignoring Bones\u2019 slight start at his even tone. \u201cYou know this place best.\u201d

\u201cThat way,\u201d Bones said, gesturing ahead after a moment\u2019s hesitation. \u201cWe found one of the salvagers\u2019 setups when we were scouting earlier. It\u2019s our best bet for a safe place to regroup.\u201d

Jim nodded thoughtfully. \u201cHow long?\u201d he asked, deliberately flicking his eyes over at Kallings before raising his eyebrows.

The hesitation lasted a bit longer this time. \u201cNot long,\u201d Bones finally said. \u201cIt\u2019s not far.\u201d

\u201cLet\u2019s get a move on, then,\u201d Jim instructed. \u201cKeep your eyes open, everyone.\u201d

He fell into step beside Bones as they set out, nudging him with his shoulder. Bones glanced over and Jim flashed him a quick, sympathetic grimace. \u201cOnly thing you could do, Bones,\u201d he muttered under his breath.

Bones shuddered and blinked hard before tipping his head in acknowledgement, then resolutely focused his attention back to their surroundings.

Jim followed suit, turning his thoughts away from the potential combinations of nerve-deadeners and stimulants that would keep a dying soldier on his feet. A killer cocktail and the only mercy Bones could afford to dispense at the moment. Goddamn this place and what it was forcing Bones to do. At least their luck was kind enough to hold out, seeing them through to Bones\u2019 proposed refuge without anything more disturbing than a few more candle heads.

Funny how quickly your standards can change,<\/i> Jim mused as he shot another one out of the air. Unnatural and unsettling creatures weren\u2019t enough to cause alarm any more. Now they had to be unnatural, unsettling and<\/i> outright deadly. The candle heads were still a bit disturbing but they didn\u2019t stack up against the other monsters this place had to offer.

The salvagers\u2019 camp was tucked into a small, reassuringly well-lit room branching off one of the main corridors. Jim figured it for an old supply depot, which Bones confirmed when he asked. The salvagers had managed some impressive work for the limited time they\u2019d had. Jim saw that he\u2019d guessed right on the power cells; there was a small cluster of them set up and patched into an open systems panel. They\u2019d even gotten to work on the complex\u2019s database, it seemed. Archeology wasn\u2019t Jim\u2019s specialty but he recognized a data retrieval system when he saw one spread out over a cracked-open ancient computer.

There was no sign of the salvagers themselves, beyond a spray of dried blood against one wall. They\u2019d left their equipment behind but no clue about where they\u2019d gone. Given what he\u2019d already seen today, Jim didn\u2019t think there\u2019d be anything left of them to find by now. Bones ushered them into the room, set Heynor to keep watch and saw Kallings patched up and settled on a patch of cleared space before drawing Jim aside.

\u201cThe room is secure,\u201d he began in an undertone. \u201cKeeping watch is just giving something Heynor to do. With the door shut, this place is as safe as it gets here. Kallings will start going downhill soon but there isn\u2019t much I can do for him. I\u2019m thinking our best bet is the power cells there. You\u2019re the genius \u2014 you think you can rig up some way of jacking that signal booster?\u201d

\u201cI can sure as hell try,\u201d Jim told him, a few tricks already coming to mind. \u201cAnd what are you going to be doing while I save our asses?\u201d

\u201cGiving you the chance to pull off another miracle,\u201d Bones answered gently.

Jim was confused for a split second but it was half a breath too long.

\u201cShit!\u201d he blurted in appalled enlightenment, making a grab for Bones. \u201cDon\u2019t you dare!\u201d

\u201cSorry, Jim,\u201d Bones apologized, slipping away from Jim\u2019s desperate swipe. \u201cI\u2019ll come back as soon as I can.\u201d

If I can,<\/i> he meant but Jim was helpless to stop him from ducking out and triggering the door to close behind him.

Goddamnit, Bones!<\/i> Jim raged internally. When they got out of this place, Jim was so<\/i> not the only one in line for a lecture about charging off into trouble. In the meantime, Jim still had other people depending on him. He forced himself to take a deep breath and arrange his expression into something less furious (and terrified) before he turned around to face Heynor and Kallings.

\u201cOkay!\u201d he said, clapping his hands together. \u201cBones is buying us some time. Heynor, you make sure nothing nasty gets through that door. Kallings, you get some rest. You can relieve Heynor in a couple of hours. I<\/i> have got a date with a sweet-looking power cell.\u201d

If nothing else, sorting through the cobbled-together computer systems was challenging enough to provide an absorbing distraction. Under any other circumstances, Jim would have been all over the chance to poke through some of the ancient history that had created Bones. The data thus far recovered by the salvage team was incomplete and corrupted but there were intriguing hints of the crazy experiments Bones had mentioned \u2014 and if Starfleet hadn\u2019t had its eyes on this data prize when it insisted on sending teams in after their lost personnel, Jim would eat<\/i> the power cell that was currently refusing to cooperate with his patching attempts. From the spotty records on the recovery system, the salvagers had managed to fire off just enough information to rouse Starfleet\u2019s curiosity. Though granted, assessing a threat to Earth\u2019s neighbouring planet was a legitimate concern. And the critters swarming in Olduvai were definitely a legitimate threat.

Jim had been struggling with the power cells for a couple of hours when Heynor caught his attention.

\u201cCaptain?\u201d she called softly, tipping her chin at Kallings when Jim looked up inquisitively.

Kallings, whose chin had dropped to his too-still chest and whose already weak colour had faded to waxy white.

\u201cDamn,\u201d Jim said quietly. That was nine men down now and Jim was going to enjoy ordering this place blown to dust. \u201cI guess this means you\u2019ll be taking second watch after all, Heynor.\u201d

\u201cYessir,\u201d she murmured, tightening her hands on her weapon.

Jim returned his attention to the recalcitrant power cell but he wasn\u2019t at work long before he saw movement in his peripheral vision. Or thought he had. When he jerked his head up, everything seemed all right. He considered the far side of the room for a long few seconds but nothing jumped out at him, metaphorically or otherwise.

\u201cIs everything all right, Captain?\u201d Heynor asked uncertainly.

\u201cI thought,\u201d Jim started before shaking his head firmly. \u201cNever mind, Ensign.\u201d

Except that it happened again, almost as soon as he tried to get back to the computer. Heynor noticed something this time too, frowning as she followed his line of sight.

\u201cI think it\u2019s just Kallings, sir,\u201d she offered, walking over to him and crouching to check his pulse. \u201cHe\u2019s not quite \u2014\u201d

Her voice choked off as Kallings\u2019 arm swept up and his hand latched itself around her throat.

\u201cWhat the - Kallings!\u201d Jim snapped. \u201cStand down!\u201d

He couldn\u2019t see what was going on, view blocked by Heynor\u2019s back as she clawed ineffectively at the hand squeezing the breath out of her. She fumbled for her phaser but he clumsily batted it out of her hands, the movement swinging them around and Heynor out of Jim\u2019s line of sight.

\u201cHoly fuck<\/i>!\u201d

Jim couldn\u2019t restrain the expletive. Kallings was dead. He had<\/i> to be. His skin was a mottled grey and his eyes were filmed over. His movements were jerky and uncoordinated. But his corpse was moving<\/i>.

\u201cJesus Christ, what the fuck is going on?\u201d Jim muttered frantically, scrabbling for his own phaser, hands clumsy with shock.

Kallings might not have been graceful but apparently he was strong<\/i>. He wrenched violently at Heynor\u2019s throat, shaking her like a toy. She shuddered and went limp in his grasp.

\u201cNo!\u201d Jim shouted in useless denial, closing his hands on his phaser.

Kallings moaned incoherently and flung Heynor to one side, fumbling to his feet.

Jim raised his weapon and fired, relieved to see the corpse stagger and fall. Terrifyingly, it kept moving<\/i> so he spared a second to reset the power levels on his phaser and fired again. Dead flesh vaporized under the higher power setting and that was enough to put Kallings down again \u2014 for good this time, Jim hoped. He watched in paranoid alertness until his hands nearly cramped on the barrel of his phaser but Kallings never twitched and he finally breathed a shaky sigh of relief.

Until he remembered Heynor and pinned her crumpled body with a suspicious stare. One corpse had already gotten up and tried to kill them, what\u2019s to say that this one wouldn\u2019t do the same? He slowly got to his feet and picked his way across the cluttered room, carefully skirting Kallings\u2019 sprawled limbs. He halted at a calculated distance, staring down at Heynor in indecision.

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he finally whispered and raised his phaser again. This place was too goddamn dangerous and Jim couldn\u2019t risk leaving another threat at his back.

When it was done, he walked numbly back to the computer and sank into his seat. He slung his phaser across his lap and let himself shake for a few minutes. Ten<\/i> crewmen down, Bones missing, and himself stuck in this abandoned camp trying to kludge together a means of rescue. Jim figured he was entitled to a minor breakdown.

Olduvai apparently did not agree.

Jim startled out of his chair, reflexively bringing his weapon to bear as something banged hollowly against the door to his refuge. He steeled himself and waited to see if the thing on the other side would batter its way through. Jim was so primed for violence that he nearly shot Bones when the door reluctantly gave way, sliding open to allow him to stagger inside. He blinked owlishly at the weapon aimed at his face, brow furrowing in muzzy confusion. Then his knees buckled, dumping him to the floor face first in a ragged heap.

Jim darted forward, barely remembering to shut the door behind Bones before he flung himself to the floor beside him.

\u201cBones? Bones! Oh my God, Bones,\u201d Jim muttered desperately under his breath. His hands fluttered uncertainly as he looked for a safe place to touch; Bones was a mess<\/i>.

He\u2019d been torn and bloodied before. He was even moreso now and badly scorched, to boot. The reek of smoke hung thickly on the air and the rasp of his breath was so alarming that Jim gave up on being careful and pressed a trembling hand to his throat. He\u2019d seen Bones shake off a spear through the lungs<\/i>, for Christ\u2019s sake. The kind of catastrophic injury it would take to drop him...didn\u2019t bear imagining.

\u201cJesus fuck<\/i>, Bones!\u201d Jim sighed explosively when he felt a strong heartbeat under his fingers. \u201cDo not scare me like that!\u201d

Bones grumbled something incomprehensible and twitched under Jim\u2019s hand, eyes clearing as he blinked himself awake.

\u201cOw,\u201d he said distinctly.

Jim spluttered a laugh, grabbing Bones\u2019 shoulder to help him as he struggled to sit upright.

\u201cIf you fell on that, I can see why it hurt,\u201d he remarked, eyeing the object Bones had clenched in his right hand. Jim had been a bit too busy freaking out to notice it earlier. Landing on an object with that many pointy edges couldn\u2019t have been comfortable. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d

Bones\u2019 knuckles whitened briefly. \u201cA fighting chance.\u201d

Jim tilted his head and squinted at the oddly-shaped brown and gold cube. \u201cSo not just a funny-looking paperweight?\u201d

\u201cNever mind that for now,\u201d Bones dismissed, wobbling to his feet. He spotted the bodies before Jim could find the words to warn him. His mouth tightened into a thin line and Jim was oddly comforted to see him look briefly sick as his eyes took in the mottled grey of Kallings\u2019 skin. \u201cI take it things didn\u2019t go well while I was gone? Are you okay? Did you have any luck with the communicators?\u201d

\u201cNo, yes and not really,\u201d Jim answered succinctly. What was left of Kallings and Heynor was its own explanation of how well things had not<\/i> gone but he was alive and he\u2019d count that as a win.

\u201cShit,\u201d Bones muttered tiredly, walking to the far side of the room and sliding down the wall to sit on the floor. \u201cSuppose you having Spock on the line and waiting to beam us out was<\/i> a bit much to hope for.\u201d

\u201cFuck all else has gone according to plan in this place,\u201d Jim agreed as he slumped down next to him. \u201cAnd speaking of plans, what the hell<\/i> did you think you were doing, running off like that?\u201d

At least Bones had the grace to look guilty about it. \u201cI \u2014 sorry about that. But last time I was here \u2014 the last time something like this happened \u2014 there was a focal point for it. According to Sam, those things were coming from the labs working on the teleportation experiments. I thought maybe if I could get there, I could shut off whatever the hell is causing all of this.\u201d

Save the lecture about how pissed you are about getting ditched for later,<\/i> Jim reminded himself. It actually hadn\u2019t been that bad a plan.

\u201cDid it work?\u201d he asked aloud. \u201cHard to tell from in here.\u201d

\u201cNo,\u201d Bones admitted on an exhausted sigh. \u201cThe place is still crawling with whatever the fuck those things are. All I managed was \u2014 shit, I\u2019m not sure. I think maybe I fell down whatever damn hole they\u2019re crawling out of.\u201d

Wow. Jim hadn\u2019t thought he had any fresh surges of terror left in him. He reached out without thinking, wrapping a hand around Bones\u2019 wrist and squeezing hard.

Bones glanced up at the desperate grip, expression softening at whatever he read on Jim\u2019s face. \u201cI climbed back out,\u201d he added. \u201cAnd I found this.\u201d

Jim leaned forward to get a closer look at the ornamented cube that Bones held up. It didn\u2019t look like anything he\u2019d ever seen before: an irregular cube with a dull metallic sheen, ornamented with carvings and inlaid golden swirls and cylinders. One of its corners was a vaguely humanoid face sculpted in that same gold-coloured material. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d he repeated.

\u201cYou remember that ancient civilization I mentioned?\u201d Bones asked.

It took Jim a second \u2014 the conversation felt days away, instead of just hours \u2014 but he nodded.

\u201cI think they left us a present,\u201d Bones said and let go of the cube.

Jim\u2019s eyes went wide when it remained suspended in midair, hovering steadily in front of them. \u201cOkay, that\u2019s pretty neat. What else does it do?\u201d

\u201cIt\u2019s a weapon,\u201d Bones answered. \u201cA powerful one. Goes through those bastards like a laser scalpel. At a guess, we\u2019re not the first ones to have a monster problem on Mars.\u201d

\u201cHow do you figure that?\u201d Jim asked, extending a curious finger to poke the cube.

\u201cIt told me so,\u201d Bones replied as Jim\u2019s finger brushed the surface and a voice of layered chimes whispered into his ear.

We are many. We are one. We are the Praelanthor.
Free us from our eternal prison, and we will help you.
Vanquish our enemies and we grow stronger.
Listen for our call, and then free us, to smite down the evil.<\/i>

Jim jerked his hand back, staring at the cube in alarmed fascination.

\u201cSo,\" he managed, swallowing dryly. \"It, uh, talks.\u201d

\u201cI noticed that, myself,\u201d Bones said blandly.

Jim shot him a glare, mouth twitching into a reluctant grin. \u201cAsshole,\u201d he said, elbowing Bones in the side.

\u201cTakes one,\u201d Bones retorted, nudging him in return.

God, Jim was glad to have Bones back. Sitting there shoulder-to-shoulder as they considered the alien artifact serenely floating between them, Jim felt better than he had since Whitlock\u2019s call. Creepy talking cube and all.

Jim rubbed his hand absently against his thigh as he looked at the weirdest thing he'd encountered in a day full of unnerving encounters. The cube was unaffected by his scrutiny but Jim remembered the undeniable awareness<\/i> he'd sensed when it had whispered promises into his mind. Whatever else the artifact was, it was no mindless tool. On the other hand, it hadn't tried to kill them yet, unlike pretty much everything else Jim had run into here. And Bones trusted it, like he trusted nothing else about this place.

Jim took a deep breath and let it out in a slow sigh. The cube made as much sense as anything else did in Olduvai and Jim wouldn't throw away any advantage he could get his hands on. No matter how inexplicable it was.

\u201cIt says it\u2019ll help us,\u201d he finally said.

\u201cWe need all the help we can get,\u201d Bones pointed out.

\u201cThat\u2019s for damn sure,\u201d Jim conceded. There really weren\u2019t many options open to them. \u201cWe going to make a run for it?\u201d

\u201cYeah,\u201d Bones sighed unhappily. \u201cIt won\u2019t be easy but it\u2019s our best bet.\u201d

\u201cWell, I hope you remember the way out,\u201d Jim told him. \u201cI didn\u2019t exactly get the grand tour.\u201d

Bones smiled humourlessly. \u201cI\u2019ve been trying to forget Olduvai for over 200 years. Don\u2019t worry about my memory.\u201d

He pushed himself to his feet, then held out a hand to help Jim.

\u201cAny idea how your new toy works?\u201d Jim asked as he scrambled up.

The cube had moved as they did, smoothly taking up a position at Bones\u2019 shoulder.

\u201cYeah, a bit,\u201d Bones said. \u201cIt say anything to you about vanquishing enemies to make it stronger?\u201d

Jim nodded.

\u201cThat\u2019s about it. You kill things to charge it up. When enough of those bastards die, it\u2019s ready to use.\u201d

\u201cConvenient,\u201d Jim commented. Another good reason to shoot anything that popped out at them.

They took a few minutes to survey their remaining equipment. Once they left, retreating to this flimsy sanctuary wouldn\u2019t be an option.

\u201cOkay, so here\u2019s the deal with the communicators,\u201d Jim said as they prepared to set off. \u201cEven with the power cells, I couldn\u2019t punch a signal through to the Enterprise<\/i> but I did manage to supercharge the signal boosters. If we can get beyond the worst of the interference, we should be able to yell loud enough that they\u2019ll hear us.\u201d

Bones nodded thoughtfully, grabbing a nearby PADD and stylus. \u201cWe\u2019re in one of the lower sections, off of the secondary excavation sites,\u201d he explained, sketching a rough image as he spoke. \u201cIf we head out and up, this hallway will link up with one of the major shafts and that should give us a pretty straight shot at getting out of here.\u201d

\u201cMm-hm,\u201d Jim acknowledged, watching him trace the pathway on the PADD.

\u201cIf anything happens to me, you should keep going this way,\u201d Bones started, falling silent as Jim splayed a hand across his over the screen.

\u201cIf anything happens to you, I\u2019m as good as dead,\u201d he said simply.

\u201cDamn it, Jim!\u201d Bones scowled at him, clearly wanting to argue but they both knew Jim was right.

\u201cSo are we good to go now?\u201d Jim asked with faux-cheer.

Bones stared at him for a long few seconds, then reached out and dragged him into a tight, hard hug. \u201cIf you die down here, I will never forgive you, you stupid son of a bitch,\u201d he swore fiercely, then shoved Jim away and stalked to the door.

Jim swallowed hard and resettled his equipment to buy him a few seconds to do the same with his composure.

\u201cWell?\u201d Bones prompted impatiently. \u201cYou coming?\u201d

\u201cLead the way,\u201d Jim replied brightly.

<\/center>


Back to Part 2<\/a>

On to Part 4<\/a>

Back to the Masterpost <\/a><\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:19324","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/19324.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=19324"}}],"title":"[ST XI] FIC: In Three Words (2\/4)","published":"2012-11-12T17:24:41Z","updated":"2012-11-13T07:03:37Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"star trek xi"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"in three words"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"See Masterpost<\/a> for story notes and warnings.


In Three Words - Part 2<\/u><\/b>


Of course, being a captain was a bigger deal than Jim had really understood before Nero\u2019s destructive rampage. Proving himself was one thing but throwing his crew\u2019s lives away because he refused to accept defeat was another thing entirely. And being captain of the flagship brought the pressure to bear all the more sharply. They were as much symbol as starship, with the Fleet\u2019s golden boy at their head. Fortunately, his crew was more than awesome enough to live up to everyone\u2019s expectations and Jim would<\/i> be the captain they deserved.

Naturally, Bones was a big part of his success. He\u2019d seen Jim at his best, his worst and every shade in between and was never shy about pointing out what state Jim was in at any given time. And he was still there, a steady presence that Jim didn\u2019t want to imagine doing without. Even these days, with his crew coalescing into the tightly loyal, smooth-working unit that was the envy of the Fleet, with even Uhura thawing towards him as he and Spock settled into a surprisingly effective command team, Bones was the foundation. The crew depended on Jim, Jim depended on Bones.

It probably said something that Jim could actually think that and not<\/i> immediately launch into prickly rebellion. There had been a time when he\u2019d have sabotaged any hint that he might not be entirely self-sufficient. Apparently somewhere along the line, Jim\u2019s abandonment issues had stopped ruling his interpersonal relationships. Maybe this was what growing up was like? Too bad the idea occurred to him in the midst of an evening on shore leave, when his alcohol-loosened tongue was echoing even his idlest thoughts.

\u201cYou?\u201d Bones scoffed. \u201cGrown up?\u201d

\u201cSee, that\u2019s why you\u2019re the one, Bones,\u201d Jim slurred happily, reaching out to clumsily pat Bones\u2019 arm. \u201cEveryone\u2019s got to have someone, old man. And you\u2019re it.\u201d

\u201cIf you mean that I\u2019m the one that\u2019ll be pouring your drunk ass into bed again, then yeah, I\u2019m it,\u201d Bones told him, fond despite the exasperated roll of his eyes.

\u201cExactly!\u201d Jim agreed with the gravitas of the extremely inebriated. Bones was always<\/i> there; he\u2019d made Jim come to count on it.

Which was what made the situation on Yoanndriy that much more gut-clenchingly awful<\/i>.

Apparently the High Chancellor\u2019s idea of \u201cappealing to the Federation for aid\u201d meant \u201cget a landing party on the planet to provide hostages.\u201d The Yoanndrians\u2019 idea of bargaining revolved around a very different values system, Uhura explained to Jim in a voice that remained remarkably steady despite the weapons trained on all of them. Their own weapons and communicators had been confiscated just after they\u2019d been ushered in to greet High Chancellor Thresshan, ambushed by the honour guard that had escorted them from the beam down site.

\u201cThat would have been a useful detail to know before beaming down, Lieutenant,\u201d Jim commented lightly. \u201cRemind me to add a notation to the planetary files when we get back to the ship.\u201d

\u201cAh, but first you must be given leave to return to your ship, Captain Kirk,\u201d Thresshan told him, skin flushed muddy yellow with satisfaction. \u201cAnd such will not happen until we receive assurances that our demands will be met.\u201d

\u201cYou must be crazier than you look if you think the Federation\u2019s going to negotiate with the likes of you<\/i>,\u201d Bones interrupted before Jim could respond.

\u201cDoctor Grimm!\u201d Jim snapped, registering the Chancellor\u2019s colour deepening to an angry orange in his peripheral vision. What the hell<\/i> did Bones think he was doing? \u201cKindly shut it<\/i> and leave the bargaining to those in charge.\u201d

Bones\u2019 snort of laughter was pure scorn. \u201cIf you can call that<\/i> in charge,\u201d he said, with a dismissive gesture at Thresshan. \u201cCome on. We all know that Command is going to take one look at this pompous jackass and laugh themselves blue in the face.\u201d

Jim heard Uhura\u2019s hiss of dismay and was distantly impressed that Bones had managed such a deft insult with the blue comment. Shit-disturbing wasn\u2019t his usual style, certainly not when provocation invited a very deadly response. Jim shot a quick glance over at Spock, noting the grim set of his mouth. Any hope of negotiating their way out of this had evaporated with Bones\u2019 display of precisely applied cultural insensitivity.

\u201cEnough talk,\u201d Thresshan declared, rising from his throne to stalk over to them. \u201cYour colleague speaks truth. Your Federation has no reason to grant my...request the gravity it deserves. A display of strength and commitment is required to demonstrate how important it is that my words be considered seriously.\u201d

He summoned two of his guards over with a flick of his fingers. They approached without hesitation, eager hostility in every move.

\u201cBlades, I think,\u201d Thresshan decided, tapping his thick fingers thoughtfully against the stiff brocade of his robes. \u201cFor an appropriately dramatic presentation.\u201d

The bottom dropped out of Jim\u2019s stomach when the guards holstered their weapons, drawing the ceremonial spears they\u2019d carried into the audience room. Gaudy decorations or not, their tips were plenty sharp and Jim swallowed hard.

\u201cThere\u2019s no need for this!\u201d he blustered. \u201cThe Federation isn\u2019t going to think any more highly of you for slaughtering the party you requested to be sent to discuss relief!\u201d

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t intend to slaughter your party, Captain,\u201d Thresshan assured him in a mockery of kindness. \u201cI only need one of you to make an example.\u201d

He considered the four of them, eyes roving across the loose line the guards had prodded them into, commenting on each in turn.

\u201cWith so few left, it seems a waste to spend a Vulcan life on such a message. Likewise, such a talented young officer is too valuable a sacrifice. Neither I would like to remove such a figurehead as yourself from play, Captain. Which leaves us with only one viable option,\u201d he concluded with vindictive pleasure.

\u201cBones, no!\u201d Jim protested as the guards dragged him a few steps away, kicking his feet out from under him so that he was left kneeling at their feet. \u201cYou can\u2019t do this!\u201d This could not<\/i> be happening, there had to be something<\/i> Jim could do to turn the situation to their advantage...

Bones ignored him, aiming a toothy grin at Thresshan. \u201cTry it,\u201d he invited, even as the guards raised their spears above his back.

\u201cI believe I will,\u201d Thresshan told him, blades falling at his nod.

The first blow knocked Bones nearly flat, plunging into his upper back and pinning him to the floor. The second guard angled his spear lower, stabbing at Bones\u2019 kidneys. Bones made an awful gurgling sound, blood frothing at his lips as he coughed around the spear that was tearing his lungs open. His body jerked as the second guard tore his spear free, jabbing at Bones\u2019 other side with every evidence of enjoyment. The remaining guards surged forward to contain Jim as he lurched forward, shouting denials. Behind him, Uhura\u2019s frantic protests fell silent as Bones shuddered and went limp, lying terribly still in a widening pool of blood.

Jim took a deep breath and forced himself to stare at Thresshan. Calm was not easy to reach, not with what he\u2019d just seen, but he thought he knew now what Bones had been up to earlier. He wouldn\u2019t waste the chance Bones had just bought them.

\u201cThat wasn\u2019t necessary,\u201d he grated, not bothering to hide his fury.

\u201cNow you understand the price of ignoring our demands,\u201d Thresshan replied simply. \u201cAnd now two of you may be permitted to return to your ship to carry our terms back to your leaders.\u201d

Like hell Jim was leaving any of his people here with these maniacs. \u201cWe can relay terms just fine from here.\u201d

Thresshan shook his head. \u201cDo you really<\/i> want to argue with me, Captain? I am willing to provide further demonstrations of the consequences of defiance, if necessary.\u201d

He pointed at the bloody heap of Bones\u2019 body and the first guard wrenched his spear loose to prod at the corpse in silent reinforcement. His face creased in confusion as he lifted his weapon, blinking at the shortened end in astonishment. The blade of the spear was missing, shaft terminating in a ragged mess of blood and splinters.

Jim\u2019s heart leapt at the sight, and he tensed in readiness. A quick sideways glance assured that Spock was already prepared to act and Uhura had noticed and was ready to follow their lead. Not even Jim was expecting things to happen as quickly as they did, however.

Bones exploded to his feet without warning, lashing out with the spear blade he\u2019d broken off the weapon that had pierced his chest. The first guard crumpled without a whimper, throat slashed before he could react. The second guard had time to raise his spear but Bones knocked it away, burying his makeshift weapon in the guard\u2019s stomach. He cried out hoarsely and his knees buckled as Bones pulled the blade out with a sharp twist. Bones let him fall, already in motion as he spun around.

Thresshan was shouting hysterical commands to his guards but the shock of seeing a dead man kill their comrades kept them from moving before Bones was on him, arm snaking around the Chancellor\u2019s chest from behind as he laid the spear blade against Thresshan\u2019s throat.

\u201cMove and I kill him,\u201d he said flatly, eyes fixed on the guard hovering nervously at Jim\u2019s shoulder. \u201cDrop your weapons.\u201d

\u201cYou can\u2019t do this!\u201d Thresshan spluttered, skin gone waxy grey with fear.

\u201cYou remember how well that worked for you when Jim tried it?\u201d Bones asked, tightening his grip and shifting the blade so that the edge just parted the skin of Thresshan\u2019s throat. \u201cDon\u2019t push me.\u201d

Thresshan cringed away, smug assurance crumbling under Bones\u2019 threat. \u201cDo as he says!\u201d he cried.

Jim permitted himself a silent sigh of relief as weapons clattered to the floor. He scooped one up as he backed away, covering their backs as the away team regrouped.

\u201cLieutenant, I believe you will find our communicators and weapons in the chest to the left of the Chancellor\u2019s throne,\u201d Spock said calmly, armed with another cast off weapon.

\u201cOne ride home, coming up,\u201d she replied, lowering the weapon she\u2019d picked up as she hastened to retrieve their confiscated gear.

The escape itself was almost anticlimactic now that the power had shifted in their favour. One quick call from Uhura and the four of them were dematerializing. Bones had kicked Thresshan away from him after their signal was acknowledged, the Chancellor stumbling and snarling curses at them, but he had no means of preventing their departure. Jim hadn\u2019t bothered to hide his tight, vicious smile as his view of the audience room vanished; he was going to enjoy<\/i> getting Yoanndriy and her government blacklisted at Starfleet.

Their appearance on the Enterprise<\/i> prompted a bit of its own chaos. They hadn\u2019t been gone long enough to worry the crew on standby but emergency beam out requests always meant something had gone wrong. Jim couldn\u2019t really blame them for taking one look at Bones \u2014 in his torn uniform, covered in two kinds of blood \u2014 and assuming the worst.

\u201cBelay that order!\u201d he said sharply as the transporter tech called for a med team to be dispatched. \u201cWe\u2019re fine.\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019ll be coming down to Sickbay for your post mission workups,\u201d Bones corrected. \u201cYou can just do it on your own two feet.\u201d He tugged uncomfortably at the front of his soaked uniform. \u201cShould be a fun walk.\u201d

Jim grimaced. Aside from Bones\u2019 discomfort walking around drenched in his own blood, it was nearing the end of Alpha shift. There would be plenty of onlookers if they went parading through the corridors now. The edited version of Bones\u2019 history was an open secret but that didn\u2019t mean the crew needed to see him like this.

\u201cI think we\u2019ve all had enough excitement for one day,\u201d Jim declared. \u201cLieutenant, beam us directly to Sickbay.\u201d

Bones flashed him a quick, grateful glance as the lieutenant at the console reset the coordinates but Jim just waved it off. He wasn\u2019t all that comfortable watching Bones walk around like that either.

Bones vanished into the depths of Sickbay almost as soon as they arrived, sticking around just long enough to issue orders for basic check ups all around. His staff got a bit wide-eyed when they caught sight of the state their boss was in but were far too professional to let it interfere with their duties. Bones had long since drilled the counterintuitive (and hypocritical) notion that they did not need to concern themselves with his<\/i> condition into their heads. The post mission procedures went quickly, since Bones had taken the brunt of the rough treatment this time around. He reappeared just as the medics on staff were finishing up, in a fresh uniform, all traces of the disastrous afternoon washed away. He nodded over their results and pretended not to notice as Chapel scanned him surreptitiously, as she always did despite his repeated assertions that he didn\u2019t need it.

\u201cOld habits die hard,\u201d he\u2019d once explained to Jim, who\u2019d wondered why he put up with it. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t waste time with it if there\u2019s anyone needing attention. I\u2019m not going to slap her down for following that procedure. One of these days she might even catch something that actually needs fixing.\u201d

Today she didn\u2019t, but Jim wasn\u2019t going to deny anyone the comfort of routine after everything that had happened. His hands were still shaking with fading adrenaline and he kept them clenched to stop himself from reaching over to make sure<\/i> that Bones was still as alive as he looked. He\u2019d seen Bones shake off damage before but nothing like what he\u2019d had to watch today. Jim had the feeling that it would take him longer to recover from the guards\u2019 attack than it had taken Bones to do the same.

\u201cGo on,\u201d Bones prodded good-naturedly as he signed off on Jim\u2019s medical release. \u201cYou\u2019ve got some calls to make.\u201d

Normally Jim couldn\u2019t get out of Sickbay fast enough but today he lingered near the door, watching as Spock and Uhura followed Bones into his office after they\u2019d been granted release. He shook himself and headed on up to the Bridge. Bones was right; he did have calls to make. He needed to talk to Bones but it could wait. Jim had some business to take care of first.

It wasn\u2019t until much later that night that he finished up everything and had recovered his equilibrium enough to track Bones down. He wasn\u2019t surprised when the computer informed him that Bones was in his quarters. It had been a rough day and Bones always did tend to retreat when circumstances reminded him of his immortality. He still let Jim in as soon as he rang at the door but then Jim was as much his exception as he was Jim\u2019s.

Bones wasn\u2019t at the door when it slid open and Jim squinted into the near-darkness of his quarters as the door hissed shut behind him. \u201cBones?\u201d

\u201cIn here,\u201d came the reply.

Long familiarity meant that Jim didn\u2019t need light to navigate Bones\u2019 quarters. He could have made his way into Bones\u2019 bedroom blindfolded. Had<\/i> managed it blind drunk a time or two. Between the dim starlight and the barely-there ship\u2019s lighting, Jim just could make out the lines of Bones\u2019 body as he lay on his back, staring blindly at the ceiling. He considered Bones for a long moment, then toed off his boots and climbed onto the mattress beside him. Bones made room for him, grumbling half-heartedly as Jim shoved him into a more comfortable position.

\u201cAnything else you need, Jim?\u201d Bones asked, warm and wry in the darkness. \u201cCan I get you a pillow? Maybe an extra blanket? This one\u2019s Fleet-issue, is it soft enough?\u201d

\u201cNah, I\u2019m good,\u201d Jim assured him brightly, wriggling his shoulders to soften up the mattress underneath them. \u201cFeeling right at home.\u201d

\u201cAs you should,\u201d Bones said dryly. There was no bite to the comment though, and he didn\u2019t resist Jim\u2019s manhandling at all.

The silence that spun out between them was so comfortable Jim hated to break it.

\u201cSo that was kind of a stupid thing you did down there today,\u201d he said mildly.

\u201cI\u2019ve seen you do worse with much less guarantee that you\u2019d come out in one piece,\u201d Bones returned evenly.

\u201cYeah, but that\u2019s sort of my job<\/i>, Bones.\u201d

\u201cAnd mine is to keep you alive.\u201d

And really, what could Jim say to that? He\u2019d never forgotten the promise he\u2019d made himself back in the Academy. On duty, he\u2019d never asked Bones to be anything other than the ship\u2019s doctor. If Bones had wanted to be someone\u2019s secret weapon, he\u2019d have stayed in Security or Tactics. But some days, Jim was fervently grateful that his CMO could kick ass and take names with the best of them when he chose to. He\u2019d gotten them out of one hell of a mess today, even if he\u2019d scared holy hell out of Jim doing it.

Jim rolled onto his side, reaching out to clench a fist in the front of Bones\u2019 shirt. \u201cIf you were anyone else...\u201d he started scratchily.

\u201cIf I were anyone else, I wouldn\u2019t be here,\u201d Bones answered quietly, one arm settling around Jim\u2019s shoulder. \u201cAnd I\u2019d have to find some other way to save your scrawny ass.\u201d

Jim snorted a laugh at the nonsensical response. Bones was a whole litany of firsts for him. First real friend. First person to care without expecting something in return. First person Jim cared about outside of the obligations of blood and the fleeting connection of sex. First person Jim trusted to stick around. First person Jim needed<\/i> to have around.

\u201cNot sure if anyone else could manage it,\u201d he yawned, releasing his fistful of Bones\u2019 shirt and smoothing it out. \u201cI\u2019m sticking with you.\u201d

\u201cThen it\u2019s a good thing I\u2019m me,\u201d Bones told him.

Jim hummed acknowledgement of a truth too big to put into words and let that thick, comfortable silence envelop them again until he fell asleep, head against Bones\u2019 shoulder and hand resting over his heart.

They said time flew when you were having fun. The Enterprise<\/i>\u2019s first year of service wasn\u2019t always fun but it did seem to go by quickly. Living from crisis to crisis could do that to you, Jim supposed, though he was the first one to start complaining of boredom when they did get a rare stretch of peace. Spock could extol the virtues of research as much as he liked, Jim preferred action. Fortunately, Starfleet had plenty of that to provide. But sometimes the trouble the ship and her crew found had nothing to do with what they\u2019d made of themselves and everything to do with the circumstances that had made them.

The Enterprise<\/i> had been docked at Utopia Planetia for less than two hours when the priority communique from Admiral Whitlock came through. Jim raised an eyebrow at the unexpected hail and instructed Uhura to put it through on the main screen. He straightened in the command chair as the connection was established, nodding a polite greeting to the woman who appeared on the screen.

\u201cCaptain Kirk!\u201d Whitlock hailed him. \u201cGood to see you back in one piece. I assume you\u2019re in one piece, anyhow. Anything major necessitating your docking at the shipyards?\u201d

\u201cGood to be here, Admiral,\u201d Jim returned smoothly. \u201cAnd no, we\u2019re in pretty fair shape. Just stopping in on our way through, as per Command\u2019s request for an assessment of the Enterprise<\/i>\u2019s condition and a few upgrades. They tell me that they\u2019ve got some shiny new toys to add to our weapons and sensory arrays.\u201d

The admiral nodded absent acknowledgement, eyes flicking past Jim at the sound of the Bridge doors hissing open. Jim\u2019s eyes narrowed briefly at the pleased smile that spread across her face. That look couldn\u2019t mean anything good, especially not if the new arrival was who Jim thought it was.

\u201cDoctor Grimm,\u201d Whitlock said, confirming Jim\u2019s suspicions. \u201cJust the man I wanted to see.\u201d

\u201cAdmiral,\u201d Bones said and Jim could hear the wariness just under his neutral tone. \u201cYou were looking for me?\u201d he continued as he assumed his usual position at Jim\u2019s shoulder.

\u201cWe were,\u201d Whitlock agreed. \u201cYou couldn\u2019t have picked a better time to put in at Mars.\u201d

Oh shit<\/i>. That...was even worse than Jim had thought and he jumped in before Whitlock could put Bones any more on the spot.

\u201cSomething happening down on Mars, Admiral?\u201d he asked, all casual interest. He wished he could turn around and check on Bones. He\u2019d spent more than four years very carefully not<\/i> asking about Mars but he knew it was a sore spot.

\u201cIndeed there is, Captain,\u201d Whitlock answered, voice as full of false ease as Jim\u2019s own. \"We've been getting some odd reports from sectors near the old UAC facility.\"

Bones visibly flinched, the movement registering in Jim's peripheral vision.

\"Olduvai?\" Bones demanded. \"It's still there<\/i>? After everything that happened?\"

\"The site was thoroughly scanned before the foundation of any Martian colonies, Doctor,\" Whitlock told him, tone sharpening in warning. \"It was determined to be sealed and inert. It was declared off-limits as a precaution but there's never been any indication of trouble.\"

\"Until now, I take it?\" Jim cut in, drawing her fire.

Whitlock nodded reluctantly, annoyance giving way to concern. \"Some of the colonies have been reporting unusual seismic activity and anomalous energy readings, apparently centred on the Olduvai ruins.\u201d

Jim glanced over his shoulder at the rough hitch in Bones' breathing and was dismayed at what he saw. Bones looked like he\u2019d been sucker punched, posture stiff and eyes gone wide and dark. Jim hadn\u2019t ever seen Bones this unsettled and he did not<\/i> like it.

\u201cSpock?\u201d Jim said into the unusual quiet of the Bridge.

Spock was already at his terminal, scanning the data scrolling across his screens.

\u201cThere are some highly unusual readings emanating from the coordinates identified by Admiral Whitlock,\u201d Spock confirmed calmly. \u201cThey do not match any energy signatures with which I am familiar. In addition, there is continued seismic activity in the region \u2014 activity which does not appear to be following the expected patterns of tectonic motion or pressure.\u201d

\u201cThat's what got our people to worrying,\" Whitlock said. \"But when we sent a team in for a close-range evaluation of the phenomenon, they found signs that someone had broken into the facility \u2014\"

\u201cYou let people go back in there<\/i>?\u201d Bones interrupted. \u201cAre you crazy<\/i>?\u201d

\"It might surprise you to learn that Starfleet has more pressing demands than staffing a guard post on an abandoned research project,\" Whitlock snapped at him. \"We have bigger concerns than monitoring ancient history for potential trespassers.\"

\u201cNothing \u2018potential\u2019 about this, is there?\u201d Bones retorted, ignoring the flush of anger creeping over Whitlock's cheeks. \u201cSo what are you waiting for? Cut your losses and blow the facility off of the damn planet. That'll take care of whatever's left down there.\u201d

\u201cWhile I appreciate that your past experiences might be colouring your opinion of the place,\u201d Whitlock\u2019s tone implied precisely the opposite, \u201cbringing the facility down on the heads of the people lost inside is not an option.\u201d

\u201cI take it that\u2019s where we and our well-timed visit come in?\u201d Jim broke in, shooting a quelling look at Bones.

\u201cDoctor Grimm is the only member of the Fleet with firsthand knowledge of the Olduvai site,\" Whitlock said flatly. \"He\u2019s got the best chance of finding out what's going on down there.\u201d

\u201cIf you think I\u2019m going back \u2014\u201d Bones started.

\u201cDoctor Grimm!\u201d Jim cut him off sharply. This was not the time to let Bones exercise his willingness to voice his opinion, regardless of the authority giving the orders. \u201cMy ready room. Now.\u201d

Bones rounded on him but stopped himself short at Jim\u2019s scowl.

Let me handle this, you stubborn bastard!<\/i> Jim thought as Bones\u2019 eyes searched his face.

To his relief, Bones\u2019 shoulders slumped and he nodded shortly. Jim watched as he stalked across the bridge and disappeared into his ready room.

\u201cExcuse the doctor, Admiral Whitlock,\u201d Jim forced himself to say, layering an apologetic front over his own anger and worry. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t an easy time for him. You know how it goes.\u201d

Whitlock sighed and shook her head. For a moment, she actually looked sympathetic and that, as much as Bones\u2019 vehement refusal, chilled Jim\u2019s blood. \u201cMore than any of us know, most likely,\u201d she agreed heavily. \u201cBut someone\u2019s got to go down there, Kirk. We can\u2019t take any chances \u2014 we can\u2019t lose Mars.\u201d

\"Lose Mars?\" Jim repeated, startled.

Whitlock hesitated, then sighed. \"The effects are spreading,\" she explained tensely. \"Several minor quakes have been triggered and the irregular energy readings are increasing in intensity. They're being detected over greater ranges every day. Even some of Earth's long-range sensor arrays are beginning to register some of the anomalies.\"

Jim swore mentally. Mars was Earth's nearest neighbour and oldest colony. Any hint of a threat to the planet was an unacceptable danger to Earth and the Federation itself, especially after the destruction of Vulcan.

\u201cUnderstood, Admiral,\u201d Jim said smoothly. \u201cPlease send us whatever data is available and I\u2019ll get a team assembled as soon as possible.\u201d

Whitlock nodded a brief acknowledgement. \u201cDone. Good luck, Captain,\u201d she said as the screen went blank.

Jim sighed soundlessly as Whitlock\u2019s image was replaced by the lattice of the orbital dockyards. He was going to need<\/i> luck to get this sorted. After confirming that they\u2019d received the information Whitlock promised, he turned command over to Spock and headed for his ready room.

Bones was pacing when Jim stepped through the door, walking agitated loops in the limited space of the ready room. He barely glanced over as the door slid shut behind Jim but he did slow to a halt, fetching up against Jim\u2019s desk.

\u201cHave a seat, Bones,\u201d Jim instructed, heart sinking at Bones\u2019 hunch-shouldered slump into the chair.

He perched on the edge of his desk rather than circle around to his own seat, almost close enough to touch.

\u201cSo,\u201d Jim started. \u201cMars, huh?\u201d

Bones shot him a disgusted look. \u201cYeah, Mars. This isn\u2019t a surprise to you, Jim.\u201d

\u201cOf course not. But it sounds like I\u2019m missing quite a story there,\u201d Jim commented lightly.

\u201cWhatever story that place has to tell, it\u2019s been dead and buried for a few hundred years and it should stay<\/i> that way,\u201d Bones replied fiercely. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing there that Starfleet Command needs to know about.\u201d

\u201cYou think I\u2019m asking for them?\u201d Jim snorted. \u201cThe admiralty can take a flying leap. It\u2019s you I\u2019m worried about. Something about this place has you running scared.\u201d

Tension had pulled Bones so tight that he looked brittle. \u201cYeah, well if I\u2019m scared maybe you should take the hint. Leave it alone.\u201d

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, have you met me?\u201d Jim asked. \u201cHow likely do you think that is, really?\u201d

\u201cGoddamn it, Jim,\u201d Bones grumbled but Jim could hear his resistance starting to falter.

\u201cTalk to me, Bones,\u201d Jim urged, quietly insistent.

Bones exhaled a long, shaky breath, eyes fixed on his clenched hands, resting on the table in front of him. \u201cIt\u2019s really not a pretty story,\u201d he protested thinly.

\u201cI still want to hear it,\u201d Jim said simply.

\u201cNo one should have to hear about Olduvai. Not ever again.\u201d

It was a bleak whisper and it traced a chill down Jim\u2019s spine.

\u201cOlduvai?\u201d he prompted softly.

\u201cOlduvai...was a research facility,\u201d Bones began reluctantly. \u201cThat\u2019s a matter of record, it was on all the paperwork and PR crap. Hell, you\u2019ve probably seen the name before, if you did any poking into my background. What the UAC kept under wraps was the fact that the whole facility was built on an archeological dig, some ancient civilization that no one recognized, with technology like nothing we\u2019d ever seen.\u201d

Jim bit down a sharp exclamation. Screw the superhuman supersoldier thing \u2014 Bones had been sitting on a secret like that<\/i> for two hundred and fifty years?

Bones caught his reaction and gave him a half-twist of a humourless smile.

\u201cOh yeah. It was the basis of all the research being done there, everything from genetics to energy development to teleportation,\u201d he continued. \u201cOnly something went wrong and they opened up some kind of rift to somewhere else, someplace nasty. And these things<\/i> came through \u2014 they tore up the whole place. That\u2019s when my team got called in. I was the only one who made it out. And by the time I did, I wasn\u2019t exactly the same guy who went in.\u201d

\u201cJesus Christ, Bones,\u201d Jim rasped as Bones fell silent. So that was what it took to create a man like Reaper. Jim was starting to regret having asked.

\u201cChrist has nothing<\/i> to do with what happened there,\u201d Bones said flatly. \u201cBiggest discovery in human history and what did we do with it? Turned it into some kind of interdimensional clusterfuck and then buried the evidence.\u201d

\u201cSeems like they did a pretty good job of keeping it quiet,\u201d Jim found his voice to remark. \u201cI take it you had something to do with that?\u201d

Bones nodded tiredly. \u201cI was the only one left who knew what really happened and I blew the place up behind me. So when I got out, I lied my ass off and ran like hell as soon as I was sure the UAC wouldn\u2019t send in any more recovery teams.\u201d

Based on what he\u2019d heard, Jim didn\u2019t blame him. At all. \u201cI\u2019m getting the impression that it wasn\u2019t a big loss.\u201d

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t,\u201d Bones assured him. \u201cEven before things went to hell, there wasn\u2019t a person who went to Olduvai that didn\u2019t come out...different. And then there\u2019s me, of course.\u201d

Jim\u2019s stomach twisted at the harsh bark of bitter laughter.

\u201cI grew up in that pit and I\u2019m one of the only ones who ever walked back out. What that does that<\/i> tell you?\u201d Bones asked, voice thick with distress.

Jim answered without thinking. \u201cThat the worst place in the universe can still turn out the best thing that\u2019s ever happened to me.\u201d

Bones\u2019 head snapped up at he stared at Jim in open astonishment, a long moment of shocked silence stretching between them.

\u201cI don\u2019t believe you just said that,\u201d Bones finally said.

\u201cI<\/i> don\u2019t believe I just said that,\u201d Jim told him with a grimace. \u201cFuck, that was disgusting<\/i>.\u201d

Despite the blow to Jim\u2019s ego, the ridiculous display of sentiment was almost worth it for the way it made Bones laugh.

\u201cYou know they\u2019re going to make me go down there,\u201d Bones said after his hilarity had faded into strained silence. \u201cEven if I decided being kicked out for gross insubordination would be worth it, they\u2019d just send someone else in and I can\u2019t \u2014 that\u2019s not something I can accept.\u201d

\u201cWish I could arrange otherwise,\u201d Jim told him, \u201cbut yeah. I can\u2019t see this going any other way.\u201d Whatever warnings Bones might issue on the matter, Command would feel the situation on Mars needed to be investigated.

By the way Bones set his jaw, Jim knew he wasn\u2019t going to like whatever he said next. \u201cYou\u2019re not going in with me.\u201d

\u201cLike hell I\u2019m not,\u201d Jim countered automatically.

\u201cNo. Really. You can\u2019t<\/i>,\u201d Bones insisted.

\u201cActually, seeing as I\u2019m the captain of this ship and your immediate superior officer, you\u2019ll find that I damn well can<\/i>,\u201d Jim informed him coolly.

\u201cThis has fuck all to do with you being the captain!\u201d

Jim crossed his arms, eyes narrowing as he glared at Bones. \u201cFine. Give me one good reason why the fuck I should stay here and let you waltz into the last place in the world you want to go.\u201d

\u201cDamn it, Jim!\u201d Bones exploded, slamming a hand down on the table hard enough that Jim was inanely concerned he\u2019d cracked it. \u201cI as good as lost everything to that place twice<\/i>. It destroyed my family when I was a kid, and it killed my team the only time I tried to go back. Even Sam \u2014 she never got over what happened there.\u201d He swallowed hard, then looked up at Jim. \u201cDon\u2019t make me add your name to the tally.\u201d

Captain or not, it would have taken a harder man than Jim to refuse that quietly desperate plea.

\u201cOkay, fine,\u201d he ground out. \u201cYou win. I\u2019ll stay here.\u201d

Bones closed his eyes, breath hissing out of him in undisguised relief.

\u201cBut you\u2019re taking a Security team with you,\u201d Jim ordered.

\u201cNot negotiable, Bones,\u201d he added harshly when Bones opened his mouth to argue. \u201cDon\u2019t even try.\u201d

\u201cI \u2014 all right,\u201d Bones said, biting off whatever counter he\u2019d been planning. \u201cAll right. I suppose they want us down there as soon as possible?\u201d

\u201cOr sooner,\u201d Jim confirmed apologetically.

\u201cAll the better to get it over with<\/i>,\u201d Bones declared and Jim was relieved to see determination in the set of his jaw. \u201cI\u2019m going to go get ready. Let me know when the team is heading down?\u201d

\u201cWill do,\u201d Jim told him, waiting until Bones had left to scrub a tired hand over his face. It had barely started and he hated everything about this assignment already. Talking to Spock after he emerged from his ready room didn\u2019t improve his opinion of the mission any, either.

It turned out that the strange energy readings that were causing such a fuss also interfered with transporters and communications. That was the primary reason they\u2019d sent teams into the facility; none of their instruments had had any luck producing useful scans. Spock, overachiever that he was, had devised a means to force a signal through the outer layers of the interference but anyone venturing into the lower levels of the complex was going to be cut off from any outside aid. Given that this ruined research complex had already swallowed two veteran survey-and-salvage teams, hearing that they\u2019d be unable to pull his crew out if anything went wrong was not welcome news.

Jim left him with orders to make the necessary adjustments on the equipment for the team that would shortly be dispatched, then took his own leave to prepare the team assignments. Bones was right \u2014 best to get this done and over with. When Jim made it to the transporter room to see them off, Spock was already present and handing out recalibrated communicators to the away team. Bones was there too, paying half-hearted attention to Spock\u2019s explanations about the interference and the limits of their newly tweaked equipment. Jim, having already heard Spock\u2019s science spiel, was more interested in Bones\u2019s attire.

\u201cNice look, Bones. Streamlining?\u201d Jim wondered aloud, taking a moment to appreciate the view.

Somewhere along the line, Bones had abandoned his blue medical tunic. Technically, Jim supposed that turning up wearing just the black pants and undershirt counted as being out of uniform but he wasn\u2019t going to enforce that rule. If dressing up like a Risan dancing girl would have helped Bones get through this, Jim wouldn\u2019t have batted an eyelash. Well, okay, he would have. But he\u2019d have waited until they got back to start being a smartass about it.

\u201cNo need to walk into hostile territory announcing yourself with pretty colours and shiny gold bits,\u201d Bones answered irritably, eyeing his escort. \u201cI\u2019d be happier if I could get these guys to ditch the red shirts.\u201d

\u201cWe\u2019ll be fine, Doctor,\u201d the security lieutenant replied with strained patience. \u201cIf you\u2019re almost ready?\u201d

\u201cYeah, yeah. Give me a sec,\u201d Bones muttered, picking through the selection of weaponry the security team had amassed. He tucked a handheld phaser into the holster at his hip then startled everyone by grabbing a heftier phaser rifle. Eyes around the room widened as he proceeded to scoop up a grenade belt in his free hand, loop it around his waist and buckle it into place.

Despite his own surprise, Jim had to hide a smile at the suddenly wary looks being directed Bones\u2019 way. Knowing the ship\u2019s CMO had a military background didn\u2019t prepare one to see him transform himself into a walking arsenal.

\u201cUh, Doctor?\u201d one of the ensigns piped up as Bones shrugged the phaser rifle into place over his shoulder. \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re okay with those?\u201d

Not Doctor, Jim realized as he watched Bones calmly tucking his weapons into place as he took his position on the transporter platform. Not at the moment. Bones had left more than his tunic and his insignia in his quarters. A vicious twinge of misgiving had Jim wishing again that he could tell the Admiralty to shove it.

\u201cTrust me, kid. I can handle it,\u201d Bones assured his nervous escort, hefting his rifle with a matter-of-fact competence.

He looked up and caught Jim\u2019s gaze as the security team divided up the remainder of the equipment and ascended the transporter platform. The tense readiness with which he held himself was unfamiliar but those eyes were all Bones.

\u201cReady to go, Captain,\u201d he said simply.

Jim cleared his throat and wiped the unease out of his expression. \u201cGet in there, get the answers you need, and get out quickly,\u201d he instructed crisply. \u201cBe careful and come home safely, gentlemen.

\u201cAnd Bones,\u201d he added, \u201cwe\u2019re on for dinner tonight. The mess is making your favourite. Don\u2019t be late or I\u2019ll eat your share.\u201d

Bones snorted, a reassuringly Bones-like sound. \u201cThat means that you actually have to save me a plate,\u201d he replied. \"Not just eat it all and blame me for being late.\"

\u201cIt\u2019ll be waiting for you when you get back,\u201d Jim promised, nodding at the transporter chief and watching as the away team vanished.

Spock made for quiet company on the trip back to the bridge to finish out his shift and for once, Jim refrained from idle conversation. A distraction would be nice but he\u2019d long since figured out that Vulcans were useless at small talk and he wasn\u2019t in the mood for any more science lectures. There\u2019d be plenty of time to discuss whatever the hell was going on down on Mars after Bones got back from his exploratory venture. The team was only scheduled to be gone for a few hours, just enough time to take some readings and poke around a bit, see if they could find any sign of the missing personnel. Jim had managed to spare Bones that much; he wasn\u2019t expected to survey the whole facility in detail.

Jim felt nervous eyes on him from the moment he emerged from the turbolift so he put extra effort into his careless saunter to the command chair. The crew was supposed<\/i> to pay attention to the captain but this degree of surveillance went a bit beyond duty. He wondered if his own unease had communicated itself to the crew or if word of Bones\u2019 displeasure had spread. Bones was generally pretty unflappable; it would make sense if the crew were concerned after his earlier display. Gossip travelled with a speed any starship\u2019s engines would envy and Jim assumed that by now everyone had heard that there was something wrong on Mars and that their CMO wasn\u2019t happy about it.

Fortunately, Starfleet bureaucracy was pervasive. Even an assignment as simple as docking at the Martian shipyards required compliance with dozens of fiddly procedures which kept the crew occupied, if not unworried. Desultory attempts at his own paperwork meant Jim only checked the ship chrono every minute or so, rather than just watching the numbers change. By the time his shift ended, Bones wasn\u2019t exactly<\/i> late checking in but there was no way Jim was leaving the Bridge until he\u2019d heard something<\/i>. When he blithely waved off Spock\u2019s attempt to relieve him, Spock was kind enough to accept the dismissal with nothing more than a mild eyebrow quirk of bullshit detection.

By the time the away team was four hours overdue, however, Jim had given up all pretenses of indifference and the bridge was humming with silent tension.

\u201cI have them, Captain!\u201d Uhura called suddenly, voice sharp with something that wasn\u2019t relief and Jim\u2019s stomach twisted unpleasantly.

\u201cPut it through,\u201d Jim ordered immediately. The transmission crackled to life before he\u2019d even finished speaking; Uhura must have been waiting for the command.

\u201c\u2014 Enterprise<\/i>! Lewis to Enterprise<\/i>!\u201d one of the security lieutenants was shouting, static hissing thickly over the words. Phaser fire was clearly audible in the background. \u201cThere\u2019s something down here \u2014 we need help!\"

\"Spock,\" Jim started.

\"We are currently unable to achieve a transporter lock on the members of the away team,\" Spock told him. \"The interference is too strong. The signal enhancement on Lieutenant Lewis' communicator is not sufficient to beam out the away team.\"

\"Lewis, get to higher ground,\" Jim instructed urgently. \"You're too deep for a solid lock.\"

\"Higher ground's not an option, Captain! We\u2019ve got three men down and we're barely holding out as it \u2014\" Lewis\u2019 voice choked off in a gargled yell.

More phaser fire sounded over the open line, along with raised voices and something \u2014 some kind of roar.

\u201cLewis? Lewis! Kirk to away team! What\u2019s going on down there?\u201d

No one answered his demand in the moments before they lost the signal.

\u201cKirk to Security,\u201d he said into the heavy silence on the Bridge. \u201cI need another away team assembled. Our people have run into some trouble down on the planet, we\u2019re going in to get them out.\u201d

\u201cAye, sir. A team will be dispatched immediately.\u201d

\u201cPull out the big guns,\u201d Jim cautioned, as he stood. \u201cWhat little we know suggests they\u2019re in the middle of hostile action. I\u2019ll meet you in the transporter room.\u201d

Spock was already making his way to the turbolift when Jim started to ask about communicators for the rescue party.

\u201cFurther communicators have already been recalibrated,\u201d he explained, lifting one in demonstration. \u201cIt seemed a reasonable precaution.\u201d

\u201cMore than,\u201d Jim agreed gratefully, plucking it out of Spock\u2019s hand to examine it. He forced himself to focus on the device and not the seconds ticking past as the turbolift sped down its shaft. Lewis had sounded desperate and he hadn\u2019t said anything about the other members of the away team.

\u201cYou know that he would not want you to go down there,\u201d Spock said quietly.

Jim\u2019s head snapped up in surprise. \u201cHe what?\u201d

\u201cIt is not your practice to send subordinates into danger while you remain on the ship, especially not when one of those subordinates is Doctor Grimm. However, it is clear that the doctor was distressed by the order to return to the Olduvai complex. Given his reluctance, I can only conclude that you refrained from joining the initial away team at the doctor\u2019s request,\u201d Spock elaborated, watching Jim carefully.

Jim nodded shortly. \u201cCorrect, Mr. Spock,\u201d he confirmed.

The turbolift slid to a smooth stop, door hissing open as they reached their destination. Jim was quick to step out of the lift but Spock\u2019s hand closed around his elbow. He huffed a brief, frustrated sigh but obligingly halted, swinging around to face his first officer. \u201cSomething to add?\u201d

\u201cI do not believe that Doctor Grimm wishes for you to join him any more now than he did earlier. No matter what manner of problem the away team may have encountered,\u201d Spock told him and Jim could have sworn that that was actual sympathy<\/i> he saw in Spock\u2019s eyes.

\u201cProbably not,\u201d Jim admitted, with a shrug that only looked careless. \u201cBut then he went and got himself into some kind of trouble down there so he doesn\u2019t get a say in what I do anymore.\u201d

\u201cI very much doubt that he will agree with your assessment of the situation,\u201d Spock commented.

\u201cSo he can yell at me about it when I haul his ass back on board,\u201d Jim returned shortly. Jim had agreed not to accompany Bones to Olduvai; he hadn\u2019t said anything about twiddling his thumbs when his people were in danger. \u201cWe can discuss the finer points of indestructibility versus immortality while he\u2019s tearing me a new one for reckless disregard.\u201d

Spock frowned, eyebrows drawing together before his expression smoothed out into his usual impassivity. \u201cI suspect he will have a great deal to say on that topic.\u201d

Jim recognized surrender when he heard it and tugged his arm free.

\u201cBut he\u2019ll be here to do it,\u201d he said as he resumed his progress towards the transporter room.

That was really all there was to it. Bones had his limits but so did Jim. Standing by when he knew Bones was in trouble was well<\/i> beyond them, no matter how pissed Bones would be after the fact.

The security team was ready and waiting for him when they entered the transporter room. He collected the gear they\u2019d brought for him while Spock distributed equipment and instructions. Jim hastily briefed the team as he armed himself, securing his weapons and the signal boosters that Spock had passed out with the beefed-up communicators.

\u201cWe were unable to determine the precise location of the away team,\u201d Spock was explaining as he took up a position at the transporter console, \u201cbut our sensors indicate a clear area near the edge of their effective range that should place you in the vicinity of Lieutenant Lewis\u2019 transmission.\u201d

\u201cSounds good,\u201d Kirk said, glancing to either side of him to check the readiness of the other members of his team. \u201cAnything else?\u201d

\u201cThe interference is still too strong to permit for clear scans,\u201d Spock admitted. \u201cI can only advise caution.\u201d

\u201cNoted,\u201d Kirk acknowledged, catching Spock\u2019s eye long enough to let him know he\u2019d heard and understood the warning. He was worried but he wasn\u2019t going to let it make him stupid. \u201cWhen you\u2019re ready, gentlemen, energize.\u201d


Back to Part 1<\/a>

On to Part 3<\/a>

Back to the Masterpost <\/a><\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:18980","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/18980.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=18980"}}],"title":"[ST XI] FIC: In Three Words (1\/4)","published":"2012-11-12T17:22:04Z","updated":"2012-11-13T07:02:59Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"star trek xi"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"in three words"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"See Masterpost<\/a> for story notes and warnings.


In Three Words - Part 1<\/u><\/b>


Signing your life away to Starfleet turned out to be a surprisingly easy process. Suspiciously so, if the lines snaking through the Academy Admin block were any indication. Jim thought that probably meant that Pike had pulled some strings during the shuttle ride but he wasn\u2019t complaining. If the guy was so convinced Jim ought to be here, the least he could do was cut through the bureaucratic BS of enrollment. And so it happened that Jim\u2019s registration was concluded with a minimum of fuss, leaving him to contemplate the introductory packet they\u2019d shoved into his hands, his already-full schedule, and his brand-new roommate.

Jim had recognized him as soon as the admin staff had shoved them together and sent them on their way; he\u2019d been sitting next to Jim on the shuttle, remarkable for being the only other person not wearing a uniform. He\u2019d kept mostly to himself on the ride over and Jim hadn\u2019t paid him much mind, being rather more occupied with the lovely Uhura (he still hadn\u2019t charmed that name out of her, damn it) and his bar brawling buddies from the night before. Between the lack of uniform and the fact that he was noticeably older than most of the other cadets, Jim had figured him for another last minute recruit. Looked like that impression had been correct, given their new room assignment.

Oh well. It could be worse. Jim hadn\u2019t been thrilled about being busted back to dorm beds but the resigned tolerance with which his new roommate had been regarding the noisily enthusiastic cadets bustling around him lightened into something approaching amusement as he and Jim eyed each other.

Could definitely<\/i> be worse, Jim decided as he got a good look at the other man. At least he\u2019d have something nice to look at for the next few years.

\u201cLooks like we\u2019re stuck with each other,\u201d Jim remarked as they stepped back to avoid the panicked rush of a baby-faced cadet who hurtled past them juggling an armful of PADDs. Jim inclined his head in a wordless suggestion, pleased when Tall, Dark and Self-Contained followed his lead with a shallow nod.

\u201cLooks like,\u201d he agreed as he fell into step beside Jim, who shrugged his intake paperwork into one arm to free up a hand.

\u201cI\u2019m Jim Kirk,\u201d he said, slapping him lightly on the shoulder. \u201cWelcome to the next three years of our lives.\u201d

\u201cLooking forward to it already, kid,\u201d came the slightly sarcastic reply as he irritably twitched his shoulder out from under Jim\u2019s hand.

The edged tone had Jim glancing back from the pretty blonde whose passage he\u2019d been tracking. The swat on the shoulder had been a little familiar but Jim hadn\u2019t expected the guy to get all touchy about it. Heaving a mental sigh and gearing up for a halfway sincere apology, Jim turned to find himself the focus of a considering hazel stare.

Okay, so maybe there was more going on here than offense over Jim taking liberties. He raised his eyebrows in response. Yeah, what?<\/i>

\u201cJohn Grimm,\u201d the man beside him belatedly offered, carefully casual but for the wariness in his eyes.

Jim kept his stride even with some effort, downplaying his reaction as his mind worked over what he\u2019d just heard. The name itself wasn\u2019t unusual enough to ring alarm bells but Jim had always had eclectic study habits and a very good memory. He knew who John Grimm was.

The bare outline of John Grimm\u2019s history was a matter of public record. A soldier in the early twenty-first century, he\u2019d gotten caught up in someone\u2019s genetics experiment and come out the other side with a few distinct changes. Superhuman speed, strength and near-instant healing might have been an improvement on the human condition but they weren\u2019t safe traits to flaunt while the Eugenics Wars were raging across the planet so Grimm had quite sensibly pulled a disappearing act. He\u2019d resurfaced from obscurity not long after the founding of the Federation and appealed for recognition as a citizen. He\u2019d won it, along with the attendant rights and protection due all of its members. After more than a century and a half on the run, John Grimm was finally able to live out in the open as a free man. Apparently that included joining Starfleet.

More than all that, however, Jim knew all about having a name that drew the wrong kind of attention. And he knew how goddamn sick he was of having people start in on the Kelvin<\/i> as soon as they found out who his father had been. From the way John was visibly bracing himself, Jim didn\u2019t figure that being a 250-year-old supersoldier made for any more enjoyable a conversation starter.

\u201cHuh,\u201d he commented mildly. \u201cReaper John Grimm?\u201d he asked in an undertone.

John shot him a sharp look at the barely audible question and nodded once. The simple fact that he\u2019d heard it would have been answer enough.

\u201cHuh,\u201d Jim said again, strolling along in thoughtful silence for a few seconds. \u201cNo shit?\u201d

That won him a snort of laughter and an easing of the guarded tension that had tightened John\u2019s expression. \u201cNo shit,\u201d he confirmed.

\u201cAwesome,\u201d Jim decided, keeping his tone light. \u201cGuess I know who to go bother for help when they make us take that history prereq.\u201d

John\u2019s expression wavered between disbelief and amusement before settling on the latter. \u201cI think you\u2019ve got more pressing concerns,\u201d he said dryly, prodding at the dried blood flaking off of Jim\u2019s shirt. \u201cYou might want to look into getting a refresher on hand to hand before you worry about ancient history.\u201d

\u201cHey, you could probably help with that, too!\u201d Jim suggested brightly.

\u201cI\u2019m your roommate, kid. Not your personal trainer,\u201d John told him.

\u201cThis could be the start of a beautiful friendship, I\u2019m telling you!\u201d Jim insisted, slinging an arm over John\u2019s shoulders and steering them in the direction of their new dorm.

He couldn\u2019t help the smug grin that spread across his face when John failed to shrug him off, allowing himself to be shepherded along with only a token sigh of protest.

Oh yeah. This Starfleet thing really was looking up for him. Jim was going to have to find a way to buy Pike a drink sometime.

Later that afternoon found the two of them finally arriving at their dorm room, dumping armfuls of Academy-issued supplies onto their beds. Well, Jim dumped his stuff in favour of poking around their new territory. John was busy neatly stowing his things in the storage drawers. Better accommodations than he\u2019d expected, Jim noted approvingly, more like a sparsely furnished apartment than the bare-bones institutional barracks he\u2019d been envisioning. John probably thought it was the height of luxury.

\u201cHey, when\u2019s your first class tomorrow?\u201d Jim called to John, still at work in their sleeping area. \u201cShould probably make sure we\u2019re not going to be conflicting with each other.\u201d

\u201cI don\u2019t know. My PADD\u2019s on the table \u2014 check it out,\u201d John answered.

Given permission to snoop, Jim eagerly scooped up the PADD and keyed on the display. He figured they\u2019d have at least a few classes in common. First year courses were more generalized than the higher-level specialization requirements. And since John was most likely enrolled in \u2014 wait, the medical track? Jim squinted in disbelief, refreshing the screen to see if it would correct itself.

\u201cNo way! You\u2019re in med school<\/i>?\u201d Jim practically yelped when the information remained unchanged.

The PADD was plucked out of his hands and Jim tipped his head back to find John looming over him from behind his chair.

\u201cNope, already finished that,\u201d John responded absently, scrolling through the class list. \u201cThat\u2019s Doctor<\/i> Grimm, to you.\u201d

Jim gaped at him. \u201cSeriously?\u201d he demanded.

\u201cSeriously. This,\u201d he said, waggling the PADD at Jim, \u201cis adding a XenoBio component to augment my degrees.\u201d

Degrees?<\/i> Jim mouthed to himself as he shook his head. He had more than one? Not what he\u2019d expected from a man with a history like John Grimm\u2019s. He\u2019d figured he\u2019d be somewhere on the Security or Command track, probably testing out of half the classes. \u201cThat\u2019s a bit of a career switch, isn\u2019t it?\u201d he ventured.

\u201cExactly,\u201d John said, mouth flattening into a hard, unamused line.

Oh.<\/i> Yeah, now that Jim thought about it, a few hundred years of soldiering would probably be more than enough for anyone. Especially if even a fraction of the rumours recorded about Reaper were true. Jim grimaced a quick apology as John visibly shook off the dark turn of his mood before continuing.

\u201cI know all there is to know about breaking people, thought I\u2019d take a turn at putting them back together,\u201d he explained with a shrug.

\u201cBesides,\u201d he added, \u201cI once promised someone I\u2019d give the view through a microscope a try. Seemed like as good a time as any.\u201d

\u201cFair enough. There\u2019s just one problem with that,\u201d Jim commented, brow furrowing in thought.

\u201cYeah?\u201d John asked warily. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d

\u201cYou can\u2019t go around calling yourself \u2018Reaper\u2019 if you\u2019re a doctor!\u201d

John blinked at that. \u201cIt\u2019s not like that\u2019s how I introduce myself,\u201d he pointed out mildly.

Jim shook his head. \u201cYou still need a new handle,\u201d he declared, drumming his fingers thoughtfully. Grimm, Reaper, Death... \u201cI\u2019ve got it! You can be Bones.\u201d

\u201cCan I? Wonderful.\u201d

It was a good thing there weren\u2019t any rules against doctors being sarcastic bastards, Jim reflected.

And the hell of it was that Bones actually made a really good doctor. He was calm, competent, knowledgeable and surprisingly gentle, despite his generally gruff attitude. Jim had cause to know, since it hadn\u2019t taken more than a couple of days for him to find new bars in which to drink \u2014 and brawl. The first night he stumbled home drunk, bruised and bloody, he hadn\u2019t expected much in the way of help. Bones hadn\u2019t struck him as the type who had much sympathy to spare for self-inflicted misery.

True to expectations, Bones just raised an eyebrow when Jim sauntered into their room, proudly wearing the marks of his night on the town.

\u201cHey, Bones,\u201d he greeted him breezily as he sailed through the room, already unbuttoning his ruined shirt. He hissed when shrugging the shirt off tugged painfully at his bruised ribs.

The sound of footsteps trailed him into their room and he suppressed a sigh, calculating the odds that Bones was going to bitch at him for getting hurt in such a stupid way versus Bones being annoyed at Jim for causing trouble.

\u201cSo I\u2019m guessing that the night before the shuttle ride wasn\u2019t an isolated incident?\u201d Bones asked mildly from behind him.

Jim shot a careful look over his shoulder and found Bones propped in the doorway, clearly assessing his condition. He pasted on a grin and waved off the accusation.

\u201cEh, you know how it goes. Boy meets girl. Boy offers to buy girl a drink. Girl\u2019s boyfriend takes offense. The usual,\u201d Jim replied, elaborately casual.

\u201cLooks like girl\u2019s boyfriend nearly broke your nose,\u201d Bones commented, coming a few steps closer and squinting at the bruising Jim could feel spreading across his face. He was sure it was turning spectacular colours by now.

\u201cIt\u2019s not that bad,\u201d Jim replied, poking gingerly at his nose and flinching at the wave of pain that rolled through his face. \u201cOkay, so it\u2019s not broken<\/i> bad.\u201d

\u201cOh for \u2014 stop that,\u201d Bones ordered him and then there was a pair of hands on his shoulders, pushing him down to a seat on the edge of his bed.

Jim grumbled but complied, kicking off his boots now that he was safely seated.

Bones was back at his side a minute or two later, hypospray and medkit in hand. Jim\u2019s protest that he didn\u2019t need any help was briskly ignored and Jim\u2019s bruises were scanned and mended before he\u2019d rallied from the unexpected kindness. Bones\u2019 touch was businesslike but he took care not to cause Jim further pain as he put him to rights.

\u201cYou know that it\u2019s possible to go for a drink without getting yourself pounded to a pulp, right?\u201d Bones asked idly, eyes fixed on Jim\u2019s hand as he verified the integrity of Jim\u2019s knuckles.

Jim paused, listening keenly for the reprimand that usually lurked under expressions of concern. The lack of it left him feeling wrong-footed. \u201cWasn\u2019t looking for trouble,\u201d he answered honestly. \u201cIf I\u2019d known she wasn\u2019t alone and he was a jealous prick, I\u2019d have found another girl to chat up.\u201d

Bones nodded to himself in satisfaction \u2014 Jim\u2019s condition apparently passed muster \u2014 and repacked his equipment. \u201cBe more careful next time, kid,\u201d he chided as he stood up again. \u201c\u2018Tenderized\u2019 isn\u2019t your best look.\u201d

Jim blinked in bemusement as Bones stowed his equipment and headed back out to the main room. Jim heard the couch creak under his weight and found himself hoping he hadn\u2019t interrupted anything too important. Medical track cadets tended to carry ridiculous workloads even if some of them apparently didn\u2019t mind taking a study break to play doctor for their trouble-prone roommates.

Jim pushed himself to his feet and wandered out into the kitchen. \u201cI\u2019m hungry,\u201d he called over his shoulder, aiming for offhanded. \u201cYou want anything?\u201d

\u201cSure. We should have leftovers from that Chinese the other night,\u201d Bones answered. \u201cToss them in the warmer? That\u2019d be great. There\u2019s more than enough for two.\u201d

\u201cDibs on the spicy noodles!\u201d Jim declared as he set the cartons to warm.

\u201cYou can have them but I\u2019ll give you all new and exciting bruises if you eat all the sweet and sour whatever that was,\u201d Bones threatened absently.

As it turned out, there was plenty to go around \u2014 of food and bickering both \u2014 and Jim didn\u2019t even get smacked for stealing the last piece of chicken. Though he did make sure to complain loudly about the nearly invisible mark where Bones had jabbed him with a chopstick.

Jim wasn\u2019t quite sure how it happened but friendship with Bones came surprisingly easily. He\u2019d been cautiously hopeful they\u2019d manage amicable cohabitation, since Bones seemed like a decent guy and he\u2019d proven to be surprisingly tolerant of Jim\u2019s antics. Being buddies with his roommate was convenient. It wasn\u2019t until Jim caught himself having honest conversations with Bones, far beyond the easy interactions he used to cultivate useful acquaintances, that he realized that he actually liked<\/i> him. Aside from being unexpectedly pleasant company, Bones had evidently decided somewhere along the way that he trusted Jim. The fact that he\u2019d lowered his guard apparently snuck right in under Jim\u2019s. It was kind of hard not to return the favour when a guy like Bones decided you were worth having as a friend.

They made one hell of an odd pair but Jim wasn\u2019t complaining. Whatever other favours life hadn\u2019t done them, it had apparently screwed them up in complementary ways. Of course, accepting that he\u2019d gone ahead and actually become friends with Bones meant taking on certain responsibilities. Bones had demonstrated that he could handle the taking care part. Which left Jim in charge of entertainment.

As nice as Bones was, he tended to be kind of detached. He wasn\u2019t unfriendly enough to be considered standoffish but he kept his distance. Two centuries of watching the world change around him could do that to a guy, Jim guessed. If most of the cadets at the Academy made Jim<\/i> feel old, how much worse would it be for Bones? The thing that Bones seemed to have forgotten was that passive observation might be a lot less messy but it was also a hell of a lot less fun. Life was meant to be lived<\/i>, not survived. The least Jim could do was make sure that Bones actually had a good time now and then.

There was always something<\/i> going on in San Francisco, even for a pair of cadets with a limited amount of time on their hands. Sports, exhibitions, museums, restaurants... Jim could have dragged Bones out to examples of each. He considered it before deciding to start with baby steps. Bars first, culture later.

Thus began Jim\u2019s campaign to pry Bones out of his self-imposed isolation. It never really progressed much past the drinking buddies stage but Jim deemed it good enough. It got Bones out of their room, gave Jim company on nights out and led to Bones actually getting on speaking terms with people outside of a professional context. When they were just Jim and John, two guys out for a good night on the town, Bones finally lost some of his iron reserve and starting sharing more of those slow, warm smiles that Jim liked. Who needed culture anyway?

It was on one of their early ventures that Jim learned about the downside of Bones\u2019 enhancements. Turned out that super fast healing wasn\u2019t always a good thing.

\u201cYou\u2019re kidding!\u201d Jim was appalled. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t affect you at all<\/i>?\u201d

\u201cNot a bit. Wish it did, to be honest,\u201d Bones replied, staring down into his glass. \u201cWould\u2019ve made some years easier to get through,\u201d he muttered.

\u201cI bet. That kind of sucks, Bones,\u201d Jim told him. Alcohol and Jim were old, dear friends.

\u201cSo why the glass?\u201d he couldn\u2019t help but ask. Bones always had a drink in his hand when they went out, though this did explain his tendency to nurse them.

Bones shrugged, taking a sip. \u201cCan\u2019t get drunk but I still like the taste. The burn of it.\u201d

Jim nodded. There was comfort to be found in old habits, Jim knew. Even when they didn\u2019t actually help.

\u201cYou know, there\u2019s dozens of bars around here,\u201d Jim said offhandedly.

\u201cYeah, and?\u201d Bones raised an eyebrow. \u201cYou bored of this one already? You haven\u2019t hit on all the waitresses yet.\u201d

\u201cNo, and I\u2019m not leaving until I do \u2014 the really hot one just came on shift \u2014 but I was thinking that you can\u2019t have tried everything<\/i> yet,\u201d Jim pointed out.

Bones raised a finger. \u201cI am not drinking that orange shit you got so sick on last week. That drunk would not be worth it, even if it did work.\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019ve got no sense of adventure, Bones,\u201d Jim complained though privately he agreed. That orange stuff had<\/i> been shit.

Bones just snorted at him. \u201cI\u2019ve had plenty of adventure, thanks. I prefer tamer leisure activities, these days.\u201d

Naturally, Jim took that as a challenge and flagged down the hot waitress to order shots of the orange shit. The next day\u2019s hangover was deadly but Jim had the waitress\u2019 comm code and had the satisfaction of Bones bitching for days about the aftertaste.

Drinking games aside, Jim stayed on his best behaviour the first few times he was out with Bones. Bones had proved surprisingly amenable to Jim\u2019s plans to socialize him but Jim didn\u2019t think that would last if Jim started picking fights. Having Bones around made it easier to stay out of trouble anyhow, since Jim wasn\u2019t at the kind of loose ends that left him likely to screw with people just for kicks. Unfortunately, that didn\u2019t stop people from messing with Jim.

He\u2019d had a few run-ins with his buddies from the Riverside bar since arriving at the Academy and relations hadn\u2019t improved since then. If Cupcake and his crew had been there when Jim and Bones walked in that evening, Jim would have found some excuse to introduce Bones to another bar. Instead, Jim found himself face to face with his favourite bar bully on his way back to his table. Jim recognized the expression on Cupcake\u2019s face from the last time he planted his fist there; the chances of this ending without some sort of violence were slim. Jim flicked a glance over at Bones, watching from their table and resolved to try.

He really wasn\u2019t surprised when it didn\u2019t work.

Jim lost track of the fight almost immediately after they stopped trading insults in favour of taking swings. He knew he didn\u2019t throw the first punch but his was the first to connect. By the time Jim split Cupcake\u2019s lip, the thugs he called friends were wading in and things just got more hectic from there. He stumbled as someone snagged the back of his shirt, drawing an arm back as he got his feet under him. He let his fist drop when he realized it was Bones, reluctantly submitting to the sharp tug as Bones got a handful of his collar and dragged him clear.

\u201cWhat the hell, Bones?\u201d Jim complained as Bones hauled him out of the bar, twisting out of the unreasonably tight grip Bones had on his shirt. One eye was already swelling shut, there was a familiar wetness trickling down the side of his face and his mouth was full of the metallic taste of blood. \u201cWhat\u2019d you do that for? I was just getting ready to pound his face in.\u201d

\u201cBecause I\u2019ve got better things to do tonight than bail you out of jail for brawling,\u201d Bones answered irritably. \u201cAnd he wasn\u2019t far off from returning the favour, you idiot.\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019d know,\u201d Jim shot back sulkily, \u201cwhat with how you were just standing there watching<\/i>.\u201d

And he had been, Jim realized belatedly. The fight itself was a bit of a blur but he\u2019d taken the time to check on Bones\u2019 position, make sure he was doing all right, only to find him lurking at the edges of the altercation, watching the fists fly. The following stab of disappointment was a surprise; when had Jim started counting on someone to watch his back?

Bones ignored the accusation, catching Jim\u2019s chin in his hand as he ran a practiced eye over the results of the brawl.

\u201cYou\u2019ll live,\u201d Bones told him flatly as he released him. \u201cWe can clean you up after we get you home.\u201d

\u201cGreat. That\u2019s great. And thanks for all your help in there,\u201d Jim said, spitting a mouthful of blood and trying not to sound too<\/i> bitter. \u201cDon\u2019t know what I would have done without you.\u201d

Bones smiled tightly as he watched Jim wipe his face on his sleeve. \u201cSorry, Jim. My mistake. I thought you wanted a wingman, not a bodyguard.\u201d

Jim went still at that innocuously light reply, taking a deep breath before letting it out slowly.

Fair point,<\/i> he acknowledged with a tip of his head.

Bones was his friend, sometimes his backup, often the voice of his common sense but never his personal attack dog. It wasn\u2019t Bones\u2019 job to clean up Jim\u2019s messes. Especially not when Bones could have taken down everyone in that bar without breaking a sweat, Jim was reminded as the door slammed open behind them and startled Bones into an automatic defensive stance. The drunks stumbling out of the bar didn\u2019t notice Bones\u2019 inhumanly quick reaction but Jim couldn\u2019t miss it.

He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. He\u2019d promised himself, almost immediately after meeting Bones, that he\u2019d never trade on the man\u2019s history. Damn it, that was a promise Jim had wanted to keep.

Jim opened his eyes and caught Bones\u2019 eyes as he nodded once, sharp and solemn, before pasting on a smirk. \u201cAs if I\u2019d need any help dealing with those assholes.\u201d

Bones had relaxed slightly, tension easing out of his shoulders as Jim got his temper back under control, though there was still some wariness in the way he scoffed at Jim\u2019s bravado. \u201cSure, and that\u2019s why you\u2019re bleeding all over yourself again.\u201d

\u201cYeah, well,\u201d Jim sighed and rubbed a hand carefully over his face. \u201cCome on. You said something about getting cleaned up?\u201d

\u201cYeah, Jim,\u201d Bones agreed with a sigh of his own. \u201cLet\u2019s go home.\u201d

Jim was more relieved than he cared to admit when Bones failed to hold a grudge. He was maybe just a bit<\/i> nervous, the next time he invited Bones out but Bones didn\u2019t hesitate before accepting. Well, he did<\/i> but no more than his usual protests of better things to do and that didn\u2019t count. And if playing things a bit safe kept Bones happy, well, it kept Jim from getting punched up every few days and that was probably a good thing.

It took a few months before Jim realized he\u2019d gotten it a bit wrong.

It was another night in another bar with yet another belligerent drinker. For once, Jim hadn\u2019t actually done anything to warrant getting hit. In fact, he never even saw it coming. One minute, he was nursing a drink while he waited for Bones and the next minute someone was trying to bounce his face off of the bar to the tune of angry bellowing in his ear. Luckily, Jim had been leaning on his elbows and reflexively caught himself before his cheek was driven into the wood. He was just scrambling to get sufficient leverage to shake off the painfully tight grip of the hand latched around the nape of his neck when someone pulled the asshole off of him.

Jim put a hand on the bar to steady himself as he tried to figure out what the hell had just happened. The alcohol-flushed man slurring curses into the surface of the bar answered the first part of the question; Bones standing at his back, twisting the drunk\u2019s arm up and behind him as he easily held the man pinned against the wood explained the second.

\u201cYou okay, Jim?\u201d Bones asked over the ineffective wriggling of the man he\u2019d restrained.

\u201cYeah, Bones, Thanks, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Jim answered, lifting his free hand to rub away the lingering sensation of pressure at the base of his skull. \u201cGood timing, by the way.\u201d

\u201cWhat are you,\u201d Jim\u2019s attacker protested muzzily, tugging at his arm, \u201csome kind of motherfucking Vulcan wannabe?\u201d

\u201cVulcans wouldn\u2019t fuck their mothers,\u201d Bones corrected mildly, maintaining his hold without visible effort. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be logical.\u201d

The guy snarled in drunken affront, trying to wrench his arm free to swing at him.

\u201cAnd Vulcans wouldn\u2019t break nearly as many of your bones as I\u2019m going to if you don\u2019t settle down, right fucking now.\u201d Bones barely moved but Jim\u2019s attacker howled in pain, struggles abruptly subsiding.

\u201cHey,\u201d Bones called over to the watching bartender. \u201cShould I cut him loose?\u201d

\u201cHell no!\u201d came the vehement response. \u201cThere\u2019s a free drink in it for you if you go ahead and toss him out!\u201d

\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d Bones remarked. \u201cOrder for me, would you, Jim?\u201d

\u201cSure thing, Bones!\u201d

Jim clearly wasn\u2019t the only one the guy had been bothering tonight; there was a smattering of applause as Bones hauled him upright and frog marched him out of the bar. By the time Bones made it back inside, apparently oblivious to the appreciative looks that followed him back to the bar, Jim had his payment waiting: a glass of an expensive bourbon that Bones didn\u2019t usually allow himself to order. Jim figured he\u2019d earned it tonight. From the generous measure she\u2019d splashed into the glass, so did the bartender. Bones raised an eyebrow in pleased surprise when he recognized what he\u2019d been served, lifting his glass in thanks before taking a sip.

\u201cThanks for the save,\u201d Jim offered cautiously as Bones savoured his drink. He seemed awfully calm for having had to wade into a fight and pull some drunk jerk off of Jim\u2019s back.

Bones shrugged off his gratitude. \u201cI wasn\u2019t going to let him break your nose just because he took exception to your face. It\u2019s not your fault you\u2019re pretty.\u201d

\u201cIs that what he \u2014 Aw, Bones! You think I\u2019m pretty!\u201d Jim cooed as he leaned into Bones\u2019 shoulder, batting his eyelashes up at him.

He just laughed as Bones snorted and shoved him off, muttering darkly about breaking Jim\u2019s nose himself, no matter how pretty it was. He knew he was grinning like an idiot but Bones was wearing that familiar look of long-suffering indulgence so he knew they were good. The words not your fault<\/i> ran through his head again, shuffling Jim\u2019s assumptions about Bones\u2019 lack of involvement in Jim\u2019s everyday scraps into a new, much more satisfying configuration. Jim didn\u2019t need a protector. But, he thought as he propped his arm on Bones\u2019 shoulder without questioning that he\u2019d hold him up, he thought he could get to enjoy having a partner.

When Jim burst into their room during the last week of their first year finals, he was anything but in need of help.

\u201cBones!\u201d he shouted gleefully, flinging himself to a stop and throwing his arms wide. \u201cGuess who just aced<\/i> Admiral Jennings\u2019 equivalencies exam?\u201d

It\u2019d been just under a year and Jim wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d ever get used to the way Bones smiled at him: open, unashamed and totally sincere.

\u201cThat\u2019s great, Jim! That\u2019s your in for the advanced summer section, right?\u201d

\u201cDamn right it is. Three-year graduation, here I come,\u201d Jim gloated.

Bones shook his head fondly at the show of ego but his pleased expression never wavered.

Jim wasn\u2019t used to making people happy, either.

\u201cI think this deserves a drink!\u201d he announced abruptly, still bursting with far too much triumph and satisfaction for their room to contain. \u201cCome on, get your shoes on and let\u2019s go!\u201d

\u201cSure, Jim,\u201d Bones agreed easily. \u201cNice of you to offer to buy.\u201d

\u201cOh, as if I\u2019ll ever have enough credits to my name to get you drunk,\u201d Jim scoffed. \u201cBesides, did you just kick the ass<\/i> of the worst test first year has to offer? No, you did not. Drinks are on you, old man.\u201d

Bones rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath as he stood but there was a smile curving his lips as he pulled on his boots. \u201cAt least that summer course ought to keep you out of my hair for a while.\u201d

The words had no bite, what with the proud smile Bones still wasn\u2019t making any effort to hide or the congratulatory slap on the shoulder. Jim ducked his head to cover the ridiculous grin he couldn\u2019t wipe off his face. \u201cAw, Bones. You know you\u2019d miss me.\u201d

\u201cLike a fly in my ointment,\u201d Bones replied solemnly, casually hooking an arm around Jim\u2019s neck and dragging him out into the corridor. \u201cA thorn in my side. A pain in my ass.\u201d

\u201cYou should maybe consider seeing a doctor for that,\u201d Jim told him earnestly. \u201cI\u2019ve got this friend, he\u2019s always telling me about the miracles of modern medicine. They could probably fix that for you.\u201d

\u201cSmartass,\u201d Bones growled at him, using the loose headlock he had on Jim to shake him gently.

Jim just laughed and let Bones haul him along as he grumbled about how no medicine in the universe could fix Jim\u2019s ego.

\u201cHey,\u201d Jim started, ducking out from under Bones\u2019 arm and falling into step beside him as they hit the dormitory doors, \u201cyou\u2019ve got some time off before that extra training rotation starts, right?\u201d

Bones raised a questioning eyebrow. \u201cYeah. Why?\u201d

\u201cI\u2019ve got some time before classes start and I feel like taking advantage of it.\u201d Jim shrugged and tossed the idea out there. \u201cThere\u2019s got to be some<\/i> tourist traps out there that you\u2019ve never seen. Want to go check a few of them out?\u201d

When he slid a glance sideways to check Bones\u2019 reaction, he found him looking thoughtful.

\u201cI never did get a chance to spend much time out east,\u201d Bones mused aloud.

\u201cAtlantic coast east or Asia east?\u201d Jim immediately asked.

\u201cWe only have a little better than a week, Jim,\u201d Bones warned, unsuccessfully trying to smother a smile. \u201cDon\u2019t get too<\/i> ambitious.\u201d

As if there could be such a thing.

They split the difference and went to Europe and slept in a different country every night. Jim made a point of trying at least one food item he couldn\u2019t pronounce at every meal. Bones kept a running tally of how many people Jim offended by trying to flirt in their native languages. By the time they headed back, Jim was wearing half a dozen hickeys, Bones was scruffier than Jim had ever seen him and they had two duffels of dirty clothes wrapped around cheap souvenirs and touristy holos. It took some effort for Jim to saunter, rather than stumble, into class the morning after their late night shuttle arrival but he still slipped a wink to the dubious looks the other cadets sent his way. He could guaran-damn-tee that they hadn\u2019t made any better use of their down time than he had.

But the course of true friendship never did run smooth and Jim\u2019s birthdays were enough to derail any routine, no matter how comfortable. Jim was never sure how long it had taken Bones to figure out the significance of Jim\u2019s last name. He knew Bones had<\/i> to know but to his vast relief, Bones had returned the favour Jim had done him on the day they met by never commenting or treating him any differently. Even if Bones hadn\u2019t understood how little Jim wanted to talk about it, he\u2019d always supposed that Bones\u2019 perspective on loss had to be pretty unusual, what with the centuries-long lifespan he was facing. Whatever the reason, he\u2019d shown remarkable restraint when Jim had disappeared on the first of his birthdays that passed after starting at the Academy.

Bones had been waiting up for him that night when he\u2019d stumbled through the door, barely able to see straight for the volume of alcohol he\u2019d poured down his throat. The layered bruises he\u2019d earned throughout the night weren\u2019t helping matters either. Bones assessed his condition without comment, lips tightening on some unhappy remark but he kept it to himself. Jim, still inclined towards belligerence despite his incapacitation, waited for some of Bones\u2019 usual asperity to sneak out but it never did. Bones just got him cleaned up, medicated, and poured into his own bed. Jim stared up at him in drunken confusion and wondered when the disappointed, angry commentary was going to start right up until the alcohol and exhaustion dragged him under.

Bones held his silence the morning after as well, though he kept a close eye on Jim as he crept gingerly around their room the next day. Jim was feeling fragile enough that he couldn\u2019t argue about the observation. He was just grateful for the absence of the tirade he\u2019d half-expected after the mess he\u2019d made of himself last night. By the time the effects of the night before had worn off, things between them seemed to have eased back into normal and Jim was too relieved to question it. Routine reestablished itself, life went on as normal and Jim put the incident out of his head.

But Bones hadn\u2019t forgotten. He\u2019d just been waiting until Jim\u2019s next birthday came around.

Jim had slipped off early in the afternoon, intent on losing himself in some hole in the wall where the booze was cheap and the company was plentiful. He always started with the best of intentions on his birthdays. If everyone else was too busy crying over his father, Jim would just start his own party. And if he usually found himself in the centre of a knock-down, drag-out brawl before the night was over? Well, there were plenty of ways to remind the world that you were alive. Jim had always been good at making his own fun.

He\u2019d already gotten tossed out of one dive for mouthing off to the regulars and was scouting around for a new place to slink into when a hand settled on his shoulder. He twisted out from underneath the loose grip, dropping automatically into a braced stance before he recognized the man who\u2019d snuck up on him.

Oh goddamn it. Jim recognized that grimly determined expression and now was not a good time for Bones to stage some kind of intervention, or whatever he thought he was doing.

\u201cBones? What are you doing here?\u201d Jim tried to keep his tone neutral and jerked a thumb over his shoulder as he began to back away. \u201cLook, whatever you want \u2014 can it wait? I\u2019m on my way somewhere.\u201d

\u201cI can see that,\u201d Bones replied coolly. \u201cHeaded straight for a barroom floor, if I read your trajectory right.\u201d

Jim bit back his temper with some effort, closing his eyes as he sucked in a deep breath. Bones deserved better than to have Jim\u2019s shit dumped all over his head, Jim reminded himself. Even if he did have incredibly bad timing.

\u201cJust - go home, Bones. I need to get out and I won\u2019t be good company tonight.\u201d Jim didn\u2019t want<\/i> good company tonight. He\u2019d take a good fight or a hard fuck, whichever found him first.

\u201cNo.\u201d

The simple refusal caught Jim flat-footed. \u201cWhat?\u201d

\u201cI said no.\u201d

Jim gave in to the urge to swear at the stubborn set of Bones\u2019 jaw. He\u2019d picked today of all days to turn busybody? Really?

Enough, Jim decided abruptly. Forget arguing about it. This was bullshit. Jim was getting the hell out of here; he\u2019d do damage control tomorrow.

\u201cYou can\u2019t stop me,\u201d he said with a shrug, turning on one heel and making a beeline for the nearest bar. If Bones was obstinate enough to follow, he\u2019d ditch him out the back before moving on. At least, that was the plan.

Jim only took two steps before he was seized from behind and manhandled into a nearby alley.

\u201cWatch me,\u201d Bones answered flatly, securing his grip into an immobilizing hold before Jim had even realized what he was doing.

\u201cWhat \u2014 Let me go!\u201d Jim demanded. What the fuck<\/i> did Bones think he was doing?

\u201cNot a chance,\u201d Bones replied, almost pleasantly.

\u201cLet me go<\/i>,\u201d Jim repeated furiously.

\u201cMake me,\u201d Bones invited.

All right, then. If that was the way Bones wanted to play it, Jim would<\/i>.

Jim threw everything he had into breaking Bones\u2019 hold on him. He fought as hard as he could, tried every trick he\u2019d ever learned. Nothing worked. Bones\u2019 grip was unyielding. Jim had always known that Bones was strong but this was the first time he\u2019d experienced it for himself and every failed attempt to get free drove him to a more desperate attempt. It wasn\u2019t until he heard a pained grunt from Bones that he accepted the inevitable. That hit would have broken anyone else\u2019s nose and as pissed as he was, Jim wasn\u2019t willing to go that<\/i> far.

He went limp in Bones\u2019 arms, letting him hold him up as he panted for breath.

\u201cOkay,\u201d he finally managed. \u201cYou win.\u201d

\u201cDamn it, Jim. It wasn\u2019t a contest,\u201d Bones grumbled in his ear.

\u201cYeah, whatever,\u201d Jim sighed as he got his feet back under him. Despite the temptation to wrench himself out of Bones\u2019 loosened grip, he stayed docilely still. Bones had proven his point. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d

\u201cJust come with me,\u201d Bones instructed as he let Jim go and led the way out of the alley. As much as it grated, Jim didn\u2019t have much choice but to follow.

He wasn\u2019t entirely surprised when Bones brought them back to their room. He rolled his eyes as Bones steered him across the room and flung himself sulkily onto the couch under a gentle clap on the shoulder. Wasn\u2019t this just turning into the best birthday ever?

Though things might be looking up,<\/i> he mused as Bones put a glass full of something alcoholic in his hands.

\u201cDidn\u2019t think drinking was on the list of permissible activity tonight,\u201d Jim complained sullenly, clutching the glass protectively in case Bones changed his mind.

\u201cGetting yourself beat to hell in some shithole of a bar is not on the list of things to do,\u201d Bones corrected, setting the bottle on the table in front of Jim. \u201cYou can go ahead and drink all that you can handle. That\u2019s all that some days are good for.\u201d

Jim squinted thoughtfully as he considered the hollowed-out expression Bones\u2019 last comment had left on his face. What kind of anniversaries did a 250-year-old soldier celebrate when no one was watching? And what kind of days did he wish had never happened the first time? Poor bastard couldn\u2019t even wash the memories away in a haze of alcohol.

\u201cGuess I\u2019m drinking for two, then,\u201d Jim declared as he tipped up his glass.

Bones left him to it, reducing himself to a quiet presence on the edge of Jim\u2019s admittedly blurry awareness. Jim was dully surprised to learn that not being alone or at sea in a crowd of strangers actually made a difference, even if it wasn\u2019t enough to make things good. He just hoped Bones was willing to forgive or forget whatever torrents of crap were coming out of Jim\u2019s mouth; he was way too far gone to track what he was saying tonight. He\u2019d lost track of both the hours and the booze by the time Bones finally cut him off. Jim was in no fit state to protest as Bones peeled him off of the floor and dragged him off to bed.

\u201cYour birthday\u2019s over now, Jim,\u201d Bones promised as he got him settled. \u201cWish it could have been happier.\u201d

\u201cNah, don\u2019t worry. Best I\u2019ve had in years,\u201d Jim mumbled into his pillow, \u201cbut you have some weird ideas about birthday presents, old man.\u201d

Somewhere over his head, Bones chuckled sadly. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. You\u2019ll get the rest of your present later, smartass.\u201d

Jim managed a vaguely interrogative noise.

\u201cWhatever else happened today, kid, some of us are glad you\u2019re alive,\u201d Bones told him softly. \u201cSo come tomorrow, I\u2019m going to start teaching you how to stay<\/i> that way.\u201d

Jim\u2019s breath hitched when a hand settled gently on his head and he squeezed his half-closed eyes tightly shut when a calloused thumb swept along his cheekbone. Stupid drinks. Making his eyes water like that.

If he\u2019d been in any state to wonder, Jim would have questioned if Bones really meant that. He found out the next afternoon when Bones hauled him out of bed, hit him with some hypospray remedy for the hangover and dragged him out to one of the private training rooms.

\u201cWe\u2019re going to start with something easy,\u201d Bones told him as he prodded Jim out into the centre of the room, \u201clike how to avoid a punch to the face, you reckless bastard.\u201d

\u201cCome on, Bones. Are we really going to \u2014 oof!\u201d the rest of Jim\u2019s question disappeared in a rush of displaced air when his back hit the mat, feet having been neatly swept out from under him.

\u201cLesson one,\u201d Bones instructed as his face swam into view, hovering over Jim. \u201cYour mouth isn\u2019t going to get you out of most of the trouble you find.\u201d

Jim\u2019s eyes narrowed, then he grinned fiercely and held a hand up. \u201cYou are on<\/i>, old man.\u201d

Bones pulled him to his feet, answering grin spreading across his face.

Oh yeah. This was going to be fun<\/i>.

Sparring with Bones quickly became a regular addition to Jim\u2019s schedule and the practice was invaluable. Bones ran him through a wide array of defensive and offensive techniques (including an arsenal of dirty tricks) and Jim soaked up every lesson. He might have been annoyed at how easy it became to win the bar fights that had always been his favourite form of stress release but the private tutoring won him a teaching position in Advanced Hand-to-Hand in his final year which more than made up for it. Besides, Jim was hardly going to complain about increasing his chances of surviving active duty out in Starfleet. Propaganda aside, everyone knew it was a rough universe out there.

It didn\u2019t hurt that for all of George Kirk\u2019s achievements, he\u2019d never made a name for himself as one of the best fighters in the Academy.

It was by far the best birthday present that Jim had ever received.

<\/center>

The rest of their final year rushed past in a blur of classwork and testing, the eyes of the Academy administration heavy on the graduating class. Even Bones, with his diminished need for sleep, was starting to look ragged in the last few months of classes. Then came the clusterfuck of the Kobayashi Maru. Then<\/i> came the distress call from Vulcan and the mass slaughter that followed. By the time it was over, the Federation had been rocked to its foundations and there were far greater concerns than whether or not Cadet Kirk had cheated on his impossible test.

Instead of graduation ceremonies, the Academy was arranging mass funeral services and Command was scrambling to reassign personnel to cover the gaping holes that Nero\u2019s mania had punched in the service fleet. Regardless of the trouble he\u2019d brought on himself with the Kobayashi Maru test, there was no question now of tossing Jim out of the Academy, not after his part in saving the Earth. Not only was his three-year graduation approved, he walked out of his final briefing with the Admiralty wearing a captain\u2019s stripes and carrying orders to take command of the Enterprise<\/i>. It wasn\u2019t how he\u2019d have chosen to do it but he\u2019d take the win. For the cocky asshole everyone had dismissed three years ago, for everyone that hadn\u2019t made it home after Nero, he\u2019d sit in that chair and show the whole damn Federation that he\u2019d earned it.

Bones was waiting for him when he finally made it back to their room. (Still their<\/i> room because who\u2019d had time for minor administrative tasks like cadet room assignments?) Jim didn\u2019t have to say a word; Bones\u2019 eyes took in the gold of his uniform and dropped immediately to the stripes on his sleeve.

\u201cCongratulations, you unbelievably lucky bastard,\u201d Bones said but for all the dryness of his tone, his smile was pleased. There was no relief to be seen in his expression, but then Bones had been certain of the outcome even when Jim had privately worried.

\u201cCouldn\u2019t have done it without you,\u201d Jim told him, dropping to a seat on the mattress beside Bones. That wasn\u2019t anything less than absolute truth, for all that Bones grimaced and brushed it off. Bones had refused to leave him behind when regulations and common sense ordered otherwise and Jim would never, ever forget that.

Jim sighed tiredly and leaned heavily into Bones\u2019 side, appreciating the solid comfort of the arm that wrapped itself around his shoulders. \u201cThey\u2019re giving me the Enterprise<\/i>,\u201d he muttered into Bones\u2019 chest.

He could feel Bones nod. \u201cFigured they would. Any other word on who else will be crewing her?\u201d

Jim snorted. \u201cIn theory, I\u2019ve got my pick. But really, there\u2019s some pretty cutthroat competition to nab people from the surviving class. They\u2019re shuffling crew assignments and it\u2019s getting kind of crazy. I put in commendations for everyone and a request to keep whoever wanted to stay on board.\u201d He shrugged without lifting his head. \u201cIt\u2019ll be up to them if they want to stick around.\u201d

Bones shook him lightly. \u201cYou\u2019ll need to fill some positions before we go out again but I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll lose many. Enterprise<\/i> is the flagship. She\u2019s meant to carry the best and brightest and there\u2019s not many of them that\u2019ll settle for a lesser ship.\u201d

The assessment confirmed Jim\u2019s own take on his crew-in-the-making but he ignored that for the moment, latching on to one particular word. \u201cWe?\u201d he checked. \u201cYou planning on coming out there with me, old man?\u201d

Jim had exercised some of his new rank to check on his people (they were still his<\/i>, damn it, right up until the transfer orders crossed his brand new desk) and had taken particular interest in a few key personnel. Unsurprisingly, there were opportunities pouring in for officers like Chekov, Sulu and Uhura. Even with that minor mutiny issue, there had been so many attempts to poach Spock that his Vulcan composure would have cracked again. And people were lining up to get a piece of the only man Jim wanted for his CMO. There was no reason that Bones had to stay with the Enterprise<\/i>, not when he could write his own ticket to nearly anywhere in Starfleet.

Bones snorted. \u201cWhere else would I go? Someone\u2019s<\/i> got to stick around and keep an eye on you.\u201d

\u201cGood,\u201d Jim told him fiercely, possessive relief blooming warm in his chest. He wanted to keep all of his crew but he\u2019d fight<\/i> to keep Bones.

Bones chuckled and tugged Jim over backwards, knocking them both flat to the mattress. Jim grumbled for show but went willingly enough. He was tired<\/i> and he\u2019d long since stopped trying to polish himself for Bones.

\u201cNowhere else I\u2019d rather be, kid,\u201d Bones told him as they rearranged their limbs to fit on the narrow bunk. \u201cNow be a good little captain and pass out for a while, would you? Command seems to be labouring under the delusion that none of us need sleep.\u201d

It wasn\u2019t until much later that a fond whisper roused Jim from a comfortable doze.

\u201cBeen a long time since I\u2019ve had someone worth following, Jim. I\u2019m not in any hurry to walk away.\u201d

Jim kept his eyes closed and tucked his smile into the side of Bones\u2019 neck. The validation of Bones\u2019 approval followed him into sleep.


On to Part 2<\/a>

Back to the Masterpost <\/a><\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:18767","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/18767.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=18767"}}],"title":"[ST XI] FIC: In Three Words (Masterpost)","published":"2012-11-12T17:19:19Z","updated":"2012-11-12T17:34:26Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"masterpost"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"star trek xi"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> In Three Words
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Betas:<\/b> <\/a>seryan<\/b><\/a><\/span> and <\/a>omphaloskepsist<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Artists:<\/b> <\/a>unseensorrows<\/b><\/a><\/span> and <\/a>birddi<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Fanmixers:<\/b> <\/a>masterpenguin82<\/b><\/a><\/span> and <\/a>birddi<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Series:<\/b> Star Trek XI and Doom
Pairing:<\/b> Jim Kirk\/John Grimm
Rating:<\/b> R
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 27,000
Warnings:<\/b> Reaper doesn\u2019t have a pretty backstory. And serving on Starfleet\u2019s flagship means that they get into some nasty messes. And did I mention Reaper\u2019s backstory? (Blood & violence ahoy!)

Summary:<\/b> Pike used George Kirk\u2019s legacy to dare his son into Starfleet. It was John Grimm who taught Jim about living outside of his father\u2019s shadow.

Notes:<\/b><\/center>

Written for the 2012 <\/a>startrekbigbang<\/b><\/a><\/span> challenge. Loosely inspired by this prompt<\/a> on the <\/a>buckleup_meme<\/b><\/a><\/span>, asking for Reaper living out in the open after First Contact. I doubt this is what the prompter had in mind but the bunny grew teeth when I poked at it once too many times.

A few important details... This is a double AU and I've had to fudge things to fuse the canons together. Therefore, the events of the Doom movie\/game happen about 45 years earlier than stated and the Eugenics Wars happen about 10 years later than in Trek, both taking place in the early 2000s. This story begins in 2255, as per the movie timeline.

Infinite thanks go out to <\/a>seryan<\/b><\/a><\/span> and <\/a>omphaloskepsist<\/b><\/a><\/span> for the beta work and the encouragement to keep writing. This story would never have been finished without their efforts and would certainly be poorer without their input.

Art & Fanmixes<\/b><\/center>

Cover art and Part 3 graphic were provided by <\/a>unseensorrows<\/b><\/a><\/span> and you can check out her masterpost here<\/a>. <\/a>birddi<\/b><\/a><\/span> created the images in Part 1 and Part 4.

You can download <\/a>masterpenguin82<\/b><\/a><\/span>\u2019s awesome fanmix right here<\/a>.

<\/a>birddi<\/b><\/a><\/span> created another great fanmix, which can be downloaded from here<\/a>.

It was a privilege to work with these amazing collaborators! Their art and musical contributions are fantastic and you should absolutely tell them so.

<\/center>

Story Links<\/b>

\"In three words I can sum up everything I\u2019ve learned about life: it goes on.\" ~ Robert Frost

Part 1<\/a>
Part 2<\/a>
Part 3<\/a>
Part 4<\/a><\/center>

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoy the ride!"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:18652","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/18652.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=18652"}}],"title":"[Chuck] FIC: Impossible To Ignore","published":"2012-10-15T21:01:16Z","updated":"2012-10-15T21:42:03Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"chuck"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"fanfic"}}],"content":"Title:<\/b> Impossible To Ignore
Author:<\/b> <\/a>evening_bat<\/b><\/a><\/span>
Pairing:<\/b> Chuck\/Bryce
Rating:<\/b> PG
Word Count:<\/b> ~ 1200
Warnings:<\/b> Drunken shenanigans?
Summary:<\/b> It wasn\u2019t that Chuck couldn\u2019t hold his alcohol. It was that it led to him taking hold of other things.
Notes:<\/b> So <\/a>nevcolleil<\/b><\/a><\/span> wrote ...are made of these<\/a> in response to a prompt over on <\/a>comment_fic<\/b><\/a><\/span>. I couldn\u2019t resist replying with my own take on the prompt. :D Title from The Cranberries, to continue with the dream theme.


Impossible To Ignore<\/b>


Chuck never did manage to remember what had happened the night before. When he woke up, he was too preoccupied with the brain-melting headache<\/i> to think of anything more than oh my god, I\u2019m dying, I\u2019ll never drink again, I promise<\/b><\/i>. In fact, he was so worried about keeping the contents of his skull inside his head that it took him far too long to notice the warm weight blanketing him. It was only after a few minutes of muzzy appreciation that he realized his arms were wrapped around lean muscle instead of Jill\u2019s soft curves.

The sudden surge of panic galvanized Chuck\u2019s headache and drove spikes of pain through his skull, turning what was intended as a horrified apology into a gurgled protest.

\u201cHey, buddy,\u201d a familiar voice muttered sleepily into his ear. \u201cYou awake yet?\u201d

Bryce -- that\u2019s Bryce -- Oh, thank God,<\/i> Chuck managed to think through the pain in his head and the swooping of his stomach, now making its displeasure with last night\u2019s activity known. But that was Bryce\u2019s voice and whatever idiocy Chuck had got up to last night, Bryce would take care of Chuck, he always did.

Chuck turned his head blindly, burying his face against Bryce\u2019s shoulder and let out a pathetic groan.

\u201cAh. Awake and praying for death, then,\u201d Bryce answered, sounding far too amused by Chuck\u2019s suffering. \u201cThink you could get your hand out of the back of my pants now?\u201d

For a long, confused moment the words didn\u2019t make any sense. Chuck wasn\u2019t exactly firing on all cylinders at the moment.

\u201cChuck?\u201d Bryce prompted, wriggling slightly. Given that Bryce was currently draped across him, the minute shift had a much greater effect on Chuck than it should have. He reflexively tightened his grip to hold Bryce still.

...Which was about the time that he registered the smooth slide of skin under his palms. Apparently he\u2019d worked his right hand under Bryce\u2019s shirt. And the fingers of his left hand were molded snugly to the curve of Bryce\u2019s ass.

Chuck jerked his hands free of Bryce\u2019s clothes so fast he was honestly surprised that nothing tore.

\u201cOh my God,\u201d he whimpered, dragging his pillow out from under his head and pressing it over his face. \u201cOh my God<\/i>. I\u2019m sorry!\u201d

The pillow wasn\u2019t enough to muffle Bryce\u2019s laughter and Chuck bit back another groan as Bryce scrambled off of him. Thank Christ he was too hungover to actually react to the slide of Bryce\u2019s body against his. He\u2019d humiliated himself enough for one day.

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Bryce was saying. \u201cJill\u2019s out of town this weekend. I know how it goes.\u201d

Chuck ignored the light pat on his chest and concentrated on smothering himself with his pillow. It didn\u2019t work but by the time he\u2019d given up on trying and emerged from under its dubious protection, the room was empty. Bryce had vanished to who knew where but not before leaving Chuck a glass of water and a few painkillers. Bryce really was the most awesome friend ever.

And because Bryce was so awesome, last night was no big deal, Chuck reassured himself as he downed the ibuprofen. Okay, so Chuck had passed out and gotten sort of cuddly. But what was a bit of drunken snuggling between buddies?

* * *

That was it. Chuck was just going to have to swear off alcohol. Or at least give up drinking around Bryce. There was just nothing else for it. It might be kind of tough, what with being in college and being in the frat and all but it had to be done.

Chuck was running out of excuses for why drunk-him was all over<\/i> his best friend. And yeah, Chuck was pretty sure Bryce would forgive him for the sloppy kiss he\u2019d planted on him last night but Bryce\u2019s usually easy smile had been a bit tight at the edges when he\u2019d put Chuck to bed. Kissing Bryce wasn\u2019t exactly a hardship but it wasn\u2019t worth putting that<\/i> look on his face. Totally not worth it. Especially not if all Chuck retained of the experience was a few blurry smears of memory.

* * *

Chuck managed to hold surprisingly firm to his alcohol boycott over the next few weeks, thanks to a combination of midterms and a lingering tendency to turn green at the mere mention<\/i> of booze. But when Bryce walked into their room one night and found Chuck contemplating a mostly empty bottle of tequila, Chuck immediately wished he\u2019d been able to keep away from the stuff for just a few days more. The expression flickered across Bryce\u2019s face almost too quickly to see -- if Chuck hadn\u2019t looked up right as Bryce walked in, he\u2019d have missed it -- but for that split second, he looked so resigned that Chuck was ashamed.

\u201cLooks like someone got the party started,\u201d Bryce commented wryly, eyeing the meager contents of the bottle. \u201cIn fact, I\u2019d say it\u2019s about time your party wrapped up.\u201d

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Chuck protested, clutching the neck of the bottle when Bryce tried to pry it out of his hand.

\u201cUh-huh,\u201d Bryce replied agreeably. \u201cSure you are. Why don\u2019t we give Jill a call? I know you said she was busy but maybe she can talk some sense into --\u201d

\u201cI don\u2019t want Jill!\u201d Chuck interrupted, grabbing Bryce\u2019s wrist and tugging hard.

Sober as Bryce was, it was surprisingly easy to pull him off his feet. Their chests bumped together as Bryce practically fell into Chuck\u2019s lap and Chuck had just enough brain power left to be grateful for the gymnast\u2019s reflexes that left Bryce straddling him. His breath caught as Bryce\u2019s weight settled across his thighs, their faces inches apart.

Bryce\u2019s eyes were wide with surprise before he blinked the vulnerability away and forced a grin. \u201cJesus, Chuck. Just how much have you had?\u201d

Chuck allowed himself the span of one deep breath to enjoy the feeling of Bryce in his lap. \u201cNone.\u201d

\u201cNone?\u201d Bryce repeated skeptically.

\u201cNone,\u201d Chuck confirmed. \u201cToby passed it off to keep Asshole Brian from finishing the whole thing. I don\u2019t need to be drunk to - to want this. You.\u201d

\u201cChuck,\u201d Bryce started.

Chuck shook his head quickly and dropped his eyes, addressing his next words to the hollow of Bryce\u2019s throat. \u201cAnd I shouldn\u2019t need to be drunk to say so.\u201d

He couldn\u2019t bring himself to look at Bryce, so very very still in the loose embrace of Chuck\u2019s arm, as the silence stretched thick and awkward between them.

\u201cHuh,\u201d Bryce finally said. \u201cDoes that mean I don\u2019t have to wait for you to be drunk to put you to bed?\u201d

When Chuck\u2019s head snapped up in surprise, Bryce was smiling like he\u2019d never seen before. Practically incandescent and utterly impossible to look away from. Chuck licked his lips, flushing when Bryce\u2019s eyes followed the motion intently.

\u201cTry it and find out,\u201d he invited.

\u201cDon\u2019t mind if I do,\u201d Bryce answered, shoving Chuck flat to the mattress and diving in to seal their lips together.

* * *

It turned out that sober snuggling was miles<\/i> better than the drunken kind. And the clear memory of that night was totally worth the next day's lingering soreness.

Fin<\/i>


End Notes:<\/b> Written on a spur of the moment today because I miss writing, damn it!<\/i> and <\/a>nevcolleil<\/b><\/a><\/span>'s post was inspiring. (And reminded me of what I thought back when I first spotted the prompt that she used for her story.) Yay, fluff!<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:evening_bat:18322","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/18322.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/evening-bat.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=18322"}}],"title":"So once upon a time I said I wouldn't do this","published":"2012-10-15T04:08:46Z","updated":"2012-10-15T11:38:45Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"teen wolf"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"ideas i probably won't write"}}],"content":"And by \"this\", I mean ramble about fannish stuff on this LJ. \"I will use it to post fic!\" I swore. And I have done.

But I am having ZERO luck at getting anything done recently and I feel like babbling about fic ideas I probably won't get around to writing. So. Uh, if anyone out there is reading this, enjoy! :D

I have this crazy urge to write a Teen Wolf\/Flashpoint AU crossover. (Flashpoint is a Canadian series about an elite police tactical unit.) Where Team 1 gets called out but when they get there, they find out it's one of those weird<\/i> calls. But luckily, there's a specialist team in the city who are willing to pitch in. Cue Sam going, \"oh hey, I know those guys!\" and going over to say hi to Hale and Stilinski, \"the captain and liason of the best para team I ever worked with.\"

And at one point, Stiles asks Sam just how much he trusts his team -- by which Stiles wants to know if HE can trust Sam's team or should he worry about holding back -- because before the end of things, Team 1 figures out that Hale's group aren't just a team of werewolves, they're a pack<\/i>, with an alpha and everything. And Greg is quick to notice that the beta wolves actually obeyed the orders that Stiles gave them, which means there is NO WAY he's just their liason officer.

...It made more sense in my head? And it'll probably never see the light of day. But in some corner of the multiverse, there's a Sam Braddock who worked with a tactical unit of werewolves and who later gets to introduce them to his SRU teammates when the wolves swing through town and end up helping on a dicey call.

EDIT:<\/b> There is a bit more worldbuilding in the comments. And I may be idly making notes about further details. Because why the hell not. If I cobble together enough to share, I'll post the outline or something."}]}