John "Reaper" Grimm

“What do you mean, what am I doing?  I’m trying to keep you from getting your ass killed, what else would I be doing?”  John glared at her as he took a quick look around the corner to see if anyone, or anything, was coming at them.

For a moment, she thought she saw surprise in John’s face. Perhaps he hasn’t expected her to actually punch the guard, honestly, neither had Sam, it had just happened. 

She rolled her eyes at John’s comment. “Sure you’re not just getting weak?” she teased back while he was securing the guard. “I agree, and I have everything I need here.” Sam patted her right front pocket with her left hand, containing the memory card with all the information they needed. Sam nodded and followed her brother. While he still had his back towards her, she looked down on her hand. It looked a bit swollen, but she could wriggle her fingers, thankfully, nothing seemed to be broken. Some ice and she’d be fine. Silently, she promised herself to work a bit on her punches. @thegrimmdrmccoy

“Don’t push it, Sam.” He playfully growled as they moved down the hallway.  The building seemed quiet and if they were lucky, they’d get out of here without running into anyone else.  At least she’d downloaded all the information and it would give them what they needed.  Damn UAC and their tactics.  If they had been starting up experiments, using the Olduvai data, then things were worse than they thought.

They made it to the stairs and he carefully opened the door and looked down.  It looked clear and he gestured towards her as he carefully went down, glancing down and then up above them again and again to make sure it was clear.  Once they got to the bottom, he let out a breath.  “Ok, last bit.  If they haven’t sounded the alarms by now, they don’t know we’re here.  We should be able to go down through the parking garage and then get out of here.”  The lobby was clear and he moved towards the parking garage door.

As soon as he started to open the door, bullets ricocheted off the door, grazing by his cheek.  “Shit!” He slammed the door shut, moving her back away from it.  At least the wall was concrete, harder for the bullets to go through.  “I think they know we’re here.” He told her grimly.  If he could get a good look at where they were, he could take them out but it was going to be tricky to do.

Sam managed to look a little guilty for having lied to her brother. She might be able to hide her pain from many, but not from him. John knew her and physical pain too well for that. Instead of discussing it further, she let it be.

She wasn’t sure what to reply. She could always play along, pretending that UAC was the main problem and that she’d come back to John after she had got some time to think. Though, that would be a lie and she was known for her honesty, which was the reason she hadn’t been the most popular person in school as a kid.

Sam made two cups of coffee in silence, both cups were in suspicious conditions, and handed one of them to her brother. With the hot cup in both her hands, she sank back down on the bed. As she stared down into the dark brew, she suddenly looked drained and vulnerable, the bad lightning of the room only helping to accentuate the paleness of her skin and dark shadows under her eyes. Together with the slumping posture she almost looked… frail. It only lasted for a short moment. Sam straightened up and when she looked back at John, her gaze had something guarded in them, like she had just realized a part of her she didn’t want to be seen had been glimpsed.

“You mean in the same way I’ve been able to rely on you the last ten years, John.” It wasn’t a question and she said it in a try to hurt him, to make him leave. How could she ever let him rely on her again? What if something worse than this happened next time? Not that she could think of anything worse than what had happened on Olduvai at the moment.

@thegrimmdrmccoy

That cut to the bone and he winced, looking away for a moment before turning back to her.  “I know I wasn’t around but...you didn’t need me that much then and...after mom and dad....” he huffed.  “I needed to get away, I needed...to do something else and yeah, it was shitty of me to leave you alone but we both know that I wasn’t in a good place to be around you.”

He hated to admit it and she was the only one he’d ever tell.  She’d understand, even if she didn’t like it.  “If you don’t want me around, fine but all I’m asking is that you don’t shut me out.  I’m here now, I’m not going to leave you alone to deal with this.”  Plus, he needed her to help him figure out what exactly he was now and what he was going to do.  Living a normal life hadn’t ever been for him, neither of them wanted that, but he couldn’t go back to his life and unfortunately neither could she.

“I told UAC that you were going up north to recoup in the family cabin and that if they wanted to talk to you, they could wait until you were up for it.”  There was no family cabin anywhere and it’d keep UAC off their asses for awhile.  “If you really want to disappear, I know some people and I can give you their numbers.”

“What do you mean, what am I doing?  I’m trying to keep you from getting your ass killed, what else would I be doing?”  John glared at her as he took a quick look around the corner to see if anyone, or anything, was coming at them.

Sam could feel her pulse quickening when the guard entered, but just as she heard him take a step backwards, he stopped. Damn! Something must have caught his attention, but she didn’t know what. Without hesitation, despite the rush of fear she was feeling, she did as promised and popped up from behind the desk. “Oh look how late it is!” she said in a stupid try to keep his attention fully on her. However, he seemed to have quicker reflexes than she or John had anticipated and the blow from her brother that should have knocked the guard out, barely touched him.

When John ordered her to knock him out, she reacted with instinct. Instead of grabbing something with a bit of weight to it, she used her fist. With all the strength she could muster up, which was incredibly much for her slender physic, Sam punched the guard in the face. She did hit the guard, but it wasn’t hard enough to knock him out, thankfully it was enough to make him dizzy, or at least he looked a bit dazed.

Sam’s gaze went over to her brother, being a bit worried about his wellbeing, despite the fact that he was now superhuman, but also because she hoped he’d step in and give the guard the blow needed to truly knock him out.

@thegrimmdrmccoy

The last thing he’d expected was for her to punch the guard but it worked.  The man was dazed enough that John sent a few punches to his jaw to put him down for good.  But it didn’t work.  Was this guy’s head made of concrete or something?  Damn it!  Glancing at Sam, he shrugged and used the butt of his gun this time.  Finally the guard went down with a grunt and John toed him over on to his back.

“You sure they weren’t doing experiments on their guards?  Making them into super security guards?”  Flashing her a grin, he bent down and used the handcuffs hanging from the man’s belt to secure him to the leg of the desk.  “That’ll slow him down for a bit but we should get the hell out of here before someone comes looking for him.”  He doubted anyone would but better safe than sorry.  “You got everything, right?  Because now would be the time to finish if you need to.”

The hallway was clear and he wanted to get out of there but he had to make sure they had everything because they weren’t going to get a second chance.  “Lets go then, if you’re done.”  Looking one last time, he lead the way down the hallway, keeping a sharp ear out for anyone coming their way.

“Sounds good. It would also explain why we have different accents. Good work on the accent, John.” Sam had never thought she’d hear him sound like a Southerner. It was mild, but it was there. She had actually never changed her, not on purpose anyway.

“If you do, I’ll punch you.” And that was not an empty threat. She didn’t like violence, but she wouldn’t hesitate to hit her brother if he made any kind of favoritism. “When you have a couple of hundred years, you do tend to get good at what you do.” Sam smiled and downed half of her coffee, now when it was in a more sensible temperature. “It’s not like I’ve had much else to do than study and explore.” Except for that one time… that turned into eight years, but she didn’t  want to talk about that. Preferably, she’d never talk about that with John.

“I doubt I even can work too hard and if I remember right, you’re good at that too.” It was a Grimm family trait, working until you had reach your limit and then a little bit further. “I hope you remember that and don’t give me normal human rules and skip following them yourself. I will watch you. I have to take care of my baby brother.” Sam had always liked pulling that card, that she was oldest, partly because it tended to annoy John. Or at least it had annoyed him when they were kids.

@thegrimmdrmccoy

John couldn’t help the snort about his accent.  He hadn’t really meant to pick it up but he had spent a long time in the south and apparently he had picked up something of a light one.  At least he had an excuse for it.  “I’m sure you will, honestly, I’d be surprised if you don’t.”  She always did try to keep him under control, not that it ever worked.  He finished his coffee, setting the cup aside.  He tried to give her an innocent look but there was no way he was going to fool her.  He did overwork himself, better him than someone that couldn’t handle it as well.

“You’re not allowed to pull the big sister card here,” he grinned.  “Or I can have you sent to the brig for insubordination.”  That would go over as well as a lead balloon.  “I promise to try and limit my interference as long as you promise not to give me a reason to have to step in.  It’s bad enough my people worry about me working all the time, I don’t need someone noticing you doing the same thing and getting a bee in their bonnet.”  Okay, he was going to have some fun with the southern sayings, teasing her with them like he did Jim.  

“In all honesty, it’s good to see you Sam.”  Granted he was getting serious but he really had missed her and had wondered what she was up to.  The only reason he hadn’t gone looking for her was because he didn’t want to draw attention to her and...he figured she needed space.  They could handle being around each other for awhile but something always made them get on each other’s nerves to the point they had to get away.  Maybe it was being around them for decades at a time that did it, people weren’t supposed to be like that.  Or maybe it was just them that couldn’t handle it.  “You’re looking better than the last time I saw you and I hope you stick around for awhile.”

“I’m fine, John. As you see, I’m doing perfectly fine on my feet.” Not the first lie today, probably not the last either. Not that it was uncommon for her, or her brother, to lie about their own state of health.

Sam looked at him for a moment, trying to figure out exactly what to say, but this was an emotional issue. Anything related to emotions that wasn’t sarcasm or sass didn’t come natural for her. She couldn’t just tell him the real reason. It would just end in him trying to convince her it wasn’t so and there was nothing he could do to change her mind.

She dropped her gaze to the floor, not being able to look at John any further, especially not those intense eyes. “I… I needed some time alone. It’s not because of you, but I needed to get away and I didn’t want you to know… or follow me…” It was close enough to the truth.

Sam had planned to stay here for a couple of days, then get to another small town and stay there for a few more days. When healed enough, she’d somehow find a way to repent, though she doubted she’d ever be able to do that. So far, complete isolation without anything scientific close by or other humans to hurt had been the only option she could think about. Living by herself completely. Sam didn’t believe in God, so she didn’t need it’s forgiveness.

She glanced up at John again, but her mind immediately reminded her of what she’d done. He’s lost everything because of you. His life, his work, his friends, even become another subspecies and will forever need to run from UAC and it’s all your fault. You should have know what was going on.

Samantha swallowed and stood up again, trying to ignore the stabbing pain, and walked over to the.. well she supposed it was some kind of kitchenette. “Coffee?” she asked, her back towards John as she turned on the electric kettle, which already contained water. A part of her mind wondered how long the water had actually been in there.

@thegrimmdrmccoy

“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Sam.  I’ve had too many days of pain, I know what that looks like.  I saw what Sarge did to you, I know how badly you’re hurt.”  She wouldn’t listen to him though, she was always too stubborn for her own good.  He could understood why she didn’t want to stay in the hospital, he never did either but there was more to it than that.  UAC had a big part in it but he was sure there was something else too.

“Fine, you wanted to get your head on straight, I can respect that but damn it, Sam!  Don’t run off when you’re hurt.  I know you think you can handle it but things happen.  I would’ve kept the UAC off your ass until you were better, then you could’ve taken off.”  He ran his fingers through his hair.  “You want to avoid me, I get it but you can’t ignore what happened.”  Not just to her but everything that happened on Olduvai.  He’d tried that, it never worked.

“Yeah, coffee would be great.”  The coffee pot looked sketchy but he’d had worse.  If it was hot and caffeinated, he could deal.  “If you want a few days, a few weeks, to deal with what happened I can be okay with that.  All I’m asking is that you don’t shut me out or disappear on me.”  He sighed softly, glancing down at his hands.  “We need to be able to rely on each other, Sam.”  He opened his mouth, then snapped it shut.  He had no idea what to expect and he needed his sister to help him figure it out but he knew asking her wouldn’t work.  She felt guilty, he knew she did, even if it was the best thing she could’ve done.  It’s what saved them both and the rest of the world.

“What do you mean, what am I doing?  I’m trying to keep you from getting your ass killed, what else would I be doing?”  John glared at her as he took a quick look around the corner to see if anyone, or anything, was coming at them.

Sam could feel her heart beat rapidly against her rib cage. No matter what she said, situations like this scared her and her outward calm was usually misgiving. Though, she had gotten better at not freaking out internally since they started with their… missions.

She nodded, certain that John would notice that even if his eyes were not on her. Since she couldn’t see out in the corridor, she listened and hear how the opening and closing of doors came closer and closer. When the guard  seemed to be way too close, she ducked down behind the desk, making sure not a single part of her were visible.

When the door opened, she held her breath, hoping that the guard would just quickly look inside as he seemed to have done with the other rooms.

@thegrimmdrmccoy

John pressed himself against the wall, keeping his breathing slow and steady as he listened to the footsteps get closer.  The guard didn’t seem rushed, he acted like this was just a normal search.  If it was then they might luck out and he’d look and leave.  The doorknob turned and John tightened his grip on his gun as a head poked through the doorway.  The guard turned back and forth, searching for anything.  Just when John was certain he was going to leave, something must’ve caught his attention and he came inside, pulling out his taser.

A taser was a good sign, it meant that there was a better chance of them getting out of here without a gun battle.  Watching the guard move into the room, he didn’t take his eyes off the guard as Sam did her part.  Moving around the door, he raised the butt of his gun to clock the guard on the back of the head but the man was quicker than John expected and he managed to duck, only getting a glancing blow to the side of the head.

“Shit!”  John moved to get out of the way of the taser fire.  “Sam, knock him out!” he grabbed the wire leads of the taser and yanked hard, getting the gun out of the man’s hand.

“I wouldn’t mind spending a few lifetimes out here. Not only is it fascinating and filled with knowledge, it’s incredibly beautiful as well.” Sam had always loved space. Loved the stars. Though, it hadn’t been until she joined Starfleet that she had really been able to see it. When she had worked for UAC, they had always used the Ark. And on Olduvai, well, it wasn’t like she had been able to go for a stroll on the planet.

She drank some more of her coffee, smiling a little at John’s reason for being out here. It was typically him. “You’ve always been loyal.” Maybe even too loyal, and despite his hard and grumpy attitude, she knew how soft he was on the inside. Few people were as caring as John. Sometimes she thought that was a bad thing, the world might need more people like him.

“I’m looking forward to meeting them both.” Both the Captain and the First Officer seemed to be interesting people, albeit in different ways. She had a feeling she might like them both. Spock for his logic and scientific knowledge, and Jim for his boldness and out-of-the-box thinking. “You’ve always been good at driving people mad when you’ve wanted to, John.” They had a tendency to tease each other and when they were teens, it hadn’t been completely unusual to take it a little bit too far. Though, they would never deliberately hurt each other and the poor bastard who would ever try to do the same towards any of them. Sam wouldn’t care about rank or size if someone ever decided to do something to her twin brother, even though she knew John were fully capable to take care of himself.

Yes, she had a feeling she’d enjoy the labs more too, but since her specialty was genetics, she needed to spend some time here too. “Don’t give me favors because I’m your twin though. I don’t want that and if you need my expertise, don’t hesitate.” But it could be a bit… suffocating for them both if they were to work to closely with each other.

“Speaking of that. What should we do? I mean, we can’t exactly tell the truth, but I’m not sure I can pretend to never having met you before either. Should we pretend to be cousins or something?” That was distant enough to not be impossible that they didn’t know where the other worked or how they looked now, but still close enough to having been able to grow up together.

He couldn’t help snorting.  They’d driven each other crazy as kids and he’d pushed her buttons more than she’d pushed his, though it was close.  More than once their parents had to separate them because of their bickering.  But they’d also die for each other and he found that he’d missed that.  Jim and Spock would die for him but it wasn’t the same.  Sam was family, his twin.  Her question caught him slightly off guard and he had to think about it for a bit.  There was no way they couldn’t pretend not to know each other, it just wasn’t going to work.

“I think we’ll have to.  They all know I’m an only kid, so you can’t be my sister but I think cousins a little removed would work.  Third cousins and we haven’t seen each other since we were kids?  That would explain things if someone hears us catching up and if we’re our usual selves with each other.”  He was bound to tease her from time to time, he wouldn’t be able to help it.  “And don’t worry, I’m not going to favor you.”  Well, he might a little but not that much.  “You’re here because you’re good, you’ve always been good, and I don’t want to deprive the rest of the crew of what you can offer just because I don’t want you getting hurt or I think you’re working too hard.”  

Though he was the CMO and if he had to use that against her, he would.  He knew how she was, how she’d work herself to death if she was caught up in some research.  It was his job to make sure she didn’t do that, not just as her brother but as her boss.

“What do you mean, what am I doing?  I’m trying to keep you from getting your ass killed, what else would I be doing?”  John glared at her as he took a quick look around the corner to see if anyone, or anything, was coming at them.

Leaving the door open a crack, he kept an eye out for anyone coming towards them.  So far so good but it wouldn’t last.  Risking a glance over at her, he frowned slightly.  “Just try to make it fast, I don’t want to be trapped in here with no way out.”  If they did have to shoot their way out, it’d leave a bigger mess than either they or UAC wanted.  He could hear the clicking of the keys as she typed commands.

Turning back towards the hallway, he noticed movement down the hall.  “Company coming, Samantha, type faster.”  He quietly moved the safety off but kept his finger away from the trigger.  They might not know where they were yet, though they had to have an idea of what they were after, but it wouldn’t take long.  “We’re going to have a firefight soon, unless you can get that done in the next thirty seconds.”  He hissed, watching the shadow slowly move down the hallway towards them.  It was testing each door, so they didn’t know which room they were in, so there was a chance.  Slim but a chance.

“You’re not helping, John,” she hissed as she tried to type as fast as she could, her hands practically flew over the keys. Just like John, she didn’t want this to turn into a firefight and she could feel her forehead getting damp from sweat. Her brother might be used to this kind of mission, but no matter what she said to him, Sam still got a bit nervous from breaking and entering to steal valuable data.

“We’re going to have to try and surprise him.” he whispered.  “We can hide and see if he comes in the room and if he does, we take him out and if he just looks in, then we can get out once he’s left the floor.”  It wasn’t ideal but it was the best idea he had.  Turning, he scanned the room quickly.  There really wasn’t anywhere to hide but they’d have to make due.  “Hide behind the desk, I’ll hide behind the door.  If he comes in, pop up and surprise him, I’ll hit him from behind.  If we’re lucky, he won’t get a chance to call for help and we can get out of here.”

Leaving him to close the door, she began the hike back to the bed. It was only a few feet, but it felt considerably longer. Trying not to show the pain she were in, she sat down stiffly on the edge of the bed and met his gaze. “What do you want John? If it’s your card, I was going to mail it to you.” Sam knew very well it wasn’t the card he had come for.

He watched her walk over to the bed and he couldn’t help the sympathetic wince.  He knew that pain, when you could barely move and she should’ve stayed in the hospital at least a day or two more until the doctors could make sure she hadn’t been permanently hurt.  Damn stubborn...  “If you wanted to get away from me, fine, but don’t make yourself suffer more than you need to.”  He ran his hand down his face, scrubbing it.  “If you wanted to get away, wanted to hide out, I would’ve helped you.”

Samantha wasn’t an overly emotional person. Her choices were generally based on fact and logic, not her feelings. Though, she didn’t lack morale or care about others. Unlike some of her colleagues, she didn’t do her work in search for money or power. It had always been about knowledge. Knowledge that could be used for the good of mankind.

After what happened on Olduvai, she did react emotionally. The guilt was suffocating her. Guilt over not having noticed that Dr Carmack was doing human experiment on C24, over all the people who had died due to that and what she had done to her own brother. Yes, he hadn’t turned into a monster, but she had still injected him with an experimental gene therapy.

Last time the twins had gone through a trauma together, John had been the one to eventually flee. This time, it was Sam who fled. She left the hospital while her brother were gone and before being officially released. Though she had no idea where to go. She had no home or friends on Earth and John were her only family. Her entire life had been on Olduvai and it was all gone now. Without money, she wouldn’t get far, but the only legal way for her to get money would be to contact UAC and she didn’t want anything further to do with them. Which was why she ended up stealing her brother’s card. She only used it once, to get cash, knowing she’d be easy to track otherwise.

After having traveled with different modes of transportation and to different locations for four days and she still hadn’t seen the slightest sign of John, she decided to stay in the town she had arrived to. She didn’t have much choice either, she was still injured and traveling pretty much non-stop for four days with very little sleep had not done her any favours. At the moment, Sam wanted some pain killers and sleep, she should probably eat too, but her appetite had been gone since they came back to Earth. Once she found a shabby, but cheap, motel, she payed for a room and went straight to the bed. Hopefully, she’d get some sleep and hopefully it would be peaceful.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have that luck this time either. Sam did sleep for a couple of hours, but woke up shaking and sweating, having had yet another nightmare. Her heart were racing and her entire body were in so much pain that she couldn’t help to whimper. Once she had calmed down, she remained in the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Why had she survived? What gave her the right to be the one getting out alive and unchanged from Olduvai? It had been better if someone else had survived. But it had been her and John had sacrificed too much for her to take the easy way out, even if she might want to. At the moment she wasn’t sure what she wanted other than sleep. Peaceful sleep. And staying away from her brother. If she remained with him, she would just hurt him even more. She didn’t know how, but she knew she would. She had to be a jinx of some kind.

Sam was deep in thoughts when she heard a thump on her door. It was of that kind that she wasn’t sure if it was a knock or someone just happen to bang something against the door. With some difficulties, and a grimace of pain, Sam got up from the bed and unlocked the door, opening it slightly to see if there was anyone outside it.

She’d left.  He had gone to shower and change clothes, he didn’t want to explain why he was covered in blood but didn’t have a scratch on him.  He was still trying to deal with what she’d done to him, injecting him with C24, but he could understand it.  It had saved his life, saved hers and stopped Sarge from getting through and doing god knew what to Earth.  At least he would never have to go through the arc again, he’d never have to go to Olduvai again.  Putting on a set of scrubs, he went back to her room and went in.

It was empty.

He cursed under his breath, looking around and asking one of the nurses if she’d been taken for tests or anything.  The nurse told him no and John thanked him before heading out to the main lobby.  No sign of her.  A thought hit him and he checked his pockets, finding his card gone.  Son of a bitch, she’d taken his card.  Maybe he could find her that way.  Heading for a phone, he called the card company and they told him where it’d been used last but it didn’t do any good.  She could’ve gone anywhere, there were buses and trains and taxis.  How the hell was he going to find her.

Getting some real clothes, he couldn’t go back for his things because UAC would nab him and he’d never get away if they found out the truth about him, he started tracking her down.  She was good, she’d learned not just from him but from their parents and the scientists and everyone she’d worked with.  But while she was good, he was better.  He did this for a living, he’d find her.

It took him days and he wasn’t sure he was ever going to find her but he did finally track her down to the small town she was holed up at.  The hotel manager wasn’t going to tell him anything until he slid a few bills across the counter to him. Now he was standing outside her door and knocking.  At first there wasn’t any sound and he wondered if she’d already bolted but then there was shuffling and the sound of the chain being slide across and the bolt turning.

“Sam, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”  He was angry, angry that she’d run, angry that she’d left him behind even if he could understand it.  

Sam took the cup and sat down on the other side of the desk, on a chair she guessed were for patients or other visitors. Judging by John’s words, it was the reason to something else, not why he became a doctor, but for now she let it slide. If she began to dig into his past, he’d do the same and she wasn’t ready for that.

“Yes, I’ve noticed that too.” Sometimes, they really were twins, Sam too had drenched her problems in alcohol, not that her brother knew about that, just like she had no clue about what he’d been up too these last fifty years. If they both remained on the ship long enough, she might actually find out. A part of her wanted to know everything he had done since they last met, just like that part also wanted to tell him everything that had happened to her. The good and the bad, but the larger part of her didn’t want him to know. Not now and definitely not yet. Despite that John were her twin, she had always felt this stubborn feeling that she had to be strong and capable in front of him. That she, for some reason, had to protect him and therefore couldn’t show any sign of weakness. Sam knew it was ridiculous, but it seemed to be very little she could do about it.

She took a sip of coffee and then smiled. “No, you shouldn’t. How can I resist exploring space. Do you have any idea how many scientific discoveries there could be out there? I could never just let that go.” Her eyes glimmered in excitement. Just like their parents, she had never been able to resist the exploration and problem-solving of science. “I never expected to see you out here, though. I didn’t think you’d leave Earth.” But here he was, in space as a medical doctor.

“The vulcan? I’ve read a couple of his publications. Seems like a great scientist.” Sam had met one vulcan once and judging by what she knew about the species, she could understand why they’d go on her brother’s nerves. “He’s not easy to work with?” She was going to try and get all information she could get from John, since Spock were one of the others she’d have to work with. Being the connection with the ‘pure’ science division and medical, she’d have to work with both the vulcan and McCoy. Huh, felt weird thinking of John as Leonard McCoy, he’d always be John to her.

“I have a pretty good idea, I’ve been one of those going out there and tracking that shit down.”  He chuckled softly.  “I’ve seen more than my fair share of alien worlds, alien plants...aliens.  Five years isn’t going to be enough time, I can see that already but that might be all I want.  You?  You’re going to be out there forever.”  He knew that, deep down.  No matter how many lifetimes she had, she’d be out on the edges, looking for what was new and interesting.  He’d let her, she was better suited for it than he was.  He just wanted to keep everyone safe.

“I wouldn’t have came out here but circumstances forced me to.” he gave her a wry smile.  “And then I met James Tiberius Kirk and I didn’t stand a chance.  I would’ve been happy to stay on a starbase or on some Federation base on a planet but no, he had to drag me on to this ship and I kind of stuck around.”  Mostly because he wanted to keep Jim from killing himself just by being Jim.  “As for Spock...” How did you even begin describing that Vulcan?  “You’re just going to have to make your own decisions about him.  Though, it is fun to wind him up.”  He gave her an evil, playful grin.  “Someone has to break through that wall of his and damn if it isn’t fun trying.”

But he liked and respected Spock too.  The Vulcan reminded him a lot of her, not that he’d ever admit that, and he just liked the cool logic Spock used in almost everything.  But seeing those hints of humanity meant a lot too.  It showed him that no matter how cold he might get, he was still human at the core and that he would always be John Grimm deep inside.  Good or bad.  “So now that i know who you are, I’m going to look over your schedule a little more.  I think I had you down for in here more often but I think you’ll be happier in the science division more.”  He knew she would.  “You might want a stint in botany too.  There’s some creepy plants in there.”

“What do you mean, what am I doing?  I’m trying to keep you from getting your ass killed, what else would I be doing?”  John glared at her as he took a quick look around the corner to see if anyone, or anything, was coming at them.

Sam rolled her eyes, but remained one step behind her brother all the way to the director’s office. She liked testing his limits, but he did have a point and unlike him, she was very much standard human flesh and bone. 

Once the room had been cleared, Sam went over to the computer, waking up the screen. They had been given the password, so that part was easy, but had been told that the research itself had both been secured behind ‘special security’ as well as encrypted. “Uhm.. John.. this might take a moment.” She generally had no problems with computers and she thought she’d be able to get into the research folder and download it onto the memory card they had been given. Hopefully she’d be able to get into it before someone came by and noticed them.

@thegrimmdrmccoy

Leaving the door open a crack, he kept an eye out for anyone coming towards them.  So far so good but it wouldn’t last.  Risking a glance over at her, he frowned slightly.  “Just try to make it fast, I don’t want to be trapped in here with no way out.”  If they did have to shoot their way out, it’d leave a bigger mess than either they or UAC wanted.  He could hear the clicking of the keys as she typed commands.

Turning back towards the hallway, he noticed movement down the hall.  “Company coming, Samantha, type faster.”  He quietly moved the safety off but kept his finger away from the trigger.  They might not know where they were yet, though they had to have an idea of what they were after, but it wouldn’t take long.  “We’re going to have a firefight soon, unless you can get that done in the next thirty seconds.”  He hissed, watching the shadow slowly move down the hallway towards them.  It was testing each door, so they didn’t know which room they were in, so there was a chance.  Slim but a chance.

“So, you don’t mind if I talk a little, off duty, with the Captain then?” If John was anything like when they were teens, he wouldn’t be able to stand seeing anyone acting flirty with her and if Jim was like she’d heard, that was a very likely scenario. The grin she wore clearly stated what was on her mind. Sam had, of course, no real interest in the Captain, she wasn’t interested in dating or romance at all, but her brother didn’t need to fully know that.

“I promise to look after them if I’m ever on an away mission.” If something went wrong, she would somehow make sure she was the one getting injured and not anyone else. Unlike the others on board, minus the CMO, she could heal from almost any injury and if she somehow happened to die, she had lived more than necessary. Not that she was suicidal either, even if she’d had her share of… depression as well. It kind of happened when you were more or less immortal.

Samantha chuckled and nodded. “I still do. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed or maybe it’s just me, but I don’t need as much food or sleep anymore. I can actually work for days without sleep and with coffee as my only energy source.” She seemed very pleased with that, and which scientist wouldn’t. That ability gave her amazing opportunities for research. “Cream, no sugar.” Just in case he’d forgotten.

While John fixed the coffee, she eyed his office. It was quite different from any military bunker. She smiled for herself again, her brother was in space! That was something she never thought would happen.

John gave her a dirty look.  Jim would flirt with her, it was part of his nature but he also knew Jim would never cross a line if she didn’t want it. The problem was, would she want it?  And John couldn’t tell Jim that Sam, Cassandra, was his sister.  Maybe a distant cousin?  That might keep the captain at arms length.  Turning, he brought her, her coffee and sat down at his desk with his.  “I noticed, it’s part of the reason...” he shook his head. He wasn’t going to mention Jocelyn, not yet anyway.  “Part of the reason that I’m a doctor.  I could make it through med school faster.”  

Sipping at his coffee, he leaned back in his chair. “I also found out that alcohol doesn’t have much of an affect and I have to drink a lot to get drunk.”  The amounts he’d drank before getting on the Starfleet shuttle would’ve killed ten men.  “I don’t recommend it but for a drink or two it’s good.”  At least he doesn’t get a hangover any more.  “So, Starfleet and the Enterprise, huh?  I shouldn’t be surprised, you always did want to explore everything.  You’ll get to see a lot of new things on this rust bucket.”  Good thing Scotty didn’t hear him calling his ‘baby’ that.  “I can’t wait until you have to deal with Spock, that’ll be funny.  I’m not sure who’s going to get frustrated first, you or him.”  There was a good chance that Sam would butt heads with Spock every time they turned around.

“What do you mean, what am I doing?  I’m trying to keep you from getting your ass killed, what else would I be doing?”  John glared at her as he took a quick look around the corner to see if anyone, or anything, was coming at them.

“That’s not fully true. We do know what they were researching about, we just don’t know more exactly what happened and why the alarm was triggered.” At least it wasn’t genetics this time, but hormones. How bad could it be? Angry supersoldiers? Well, she had John here and she had learnt how to use a gun. No matter how much hormones or steroids someone had, a few bullets would kill the person.

It seemed like she was going to protest, but she eventually met John’s gaze and nodded. “Okay, fine. Lead the way.” She didn’t sound pleased, but she did let him protect her… for now.

“We know some but not enough to just go running into offices without checking first.”  John did wish she’d stop being a scientist sometimes and try to be a soldier but it was so ingrained in her, he truly doubted she’d ever think safety first, the research would always be more important to her.  Which is why he insisted on going with her for every mission, even if some of them seemed tame.  You never know what some asshole doctor could be doing behind closed doors.  Look at Olduvai.  

Making his way quickly but quietly, he checked each intersection until they got to the director’s office.  Testing the handle, he opened it slightly and looked in before pushing the door the rest of the way open.  It was empty and he moved aside to let her in.  “Alright, get what we came for.  I’ll keep an eye on the hallways and make sure no one tries to surprise us.”  If they were lucky, this would be quick and they could get out without ever firing their guns.  Not that he was expecting to be that lucky.  He was pretty sure someone or something would be coming to stop them.

“What do you mean, what am I doing?  I’m trying to keep you from getting your ass killed, what else would I be doing?”  John glared at her as he took a quick look around the corner to see if anyone, or anything, was coming at them.

“I’m not a defenseless kid, John.” Sure, he was the Marine and she the scientist, but that didn’t mean she was unable to defend herself. Plus, she had never been much for the damsel in distress thing. 

“I don’t need a baby sitter.” And with those words she turned around the corner, head straight, not caring the slightest that this probably made John curse and spit like a cat thrown into water. Yes, he was there to be the muscles, even though he could be the brains as well, while she had done the work UAC wanted them to do.

“Dammit, Samantha!” John snapped as she went around the corner.  “I know you’re not defenseless but I’ve had more experience with this kind of shit than you.  Just once in your life will you listen to me and let me take the lead?  We have no idea what’s out there.”  He tried to grab her to pull her back but it was too late and he swore at her under his breath as he moved to stand next to her.

She was going to get them killed, or worse, if she couldn’t stop trying to prove a point with him.  He didn’t mean to be overprotective but that’s just how he was, he was always going to look out for her and keep her safe.  Even from herself.  “Look, the director’s office is just ahead.  Lets get in there, get the data and get the hell out of here, okay?  Just let me go first so I can clear the way.”

“You still make friends everywhere you go then?” She did, of course, mean the opposite. It was obvious that there was something there, something specific that had lead him to leave Earth, but she didn’t pry. Mostly because she didn’t want John to pry into her reason for joining Starfleet either. “As you said, it can be good to change things up once in awhile,” she replied with a shrug, though her reasons had been just as personal as her brother, not that she knew his reasons… yet.

Sam raised her brows, he wanted to talk to her in private. Maybe all the years, she thought it was closer to fifty now, apart had changed him a little anyway. Though, she didn’t hesitate to follow him. “Of course I do, it’s my job as your big sister.” A teasing smile crossed her lips, knowing fully well that she was only two minutes older, but she had always used that excuse when needed.

Listening to John’s fake complains, she huffed and shook her head a little. “Don’t think you can trick me, I can see and hear that you care for them both.” Samantha was glad that he had friends, she worried that his gruff outside could stop people from seeing who he really was. “And they’re not exactly unknown either, especially not Kirk.” How much of all the rumours were true though, she didn’t know.

“John…” she said after a short moment of silence, having made sure no one could hear them first. “Mum and dad would be proud of you, being a doctor and all. it suits you, much better than the Marines.” As she gave him a quick look, there was something warm and soft in her eyes, though it was soon gone, not wanting a touchy-feely moment to handle.

“Every chance I get.”  It wasn’t that he couldn’t make friends, it was just dangerous to do so.  They might start asking questions he didn’t want to answer and then he’d have to disappear and never see them again.  It was easier to keep his distance.  That’s why he’d been so surprised to find himself being friends with Jim Kirk and, even more surprisingly, Spock.  It felt like those two could be the only people other than Sam that could understand him.

Giving her a dirty look at both the teasing and catching on that he was friends with the two men, he huffed a breath at her.  “I’m betting most of the rumors you’ve heard don’t even tell half the real story.  You’ll see, when you meet them what I mean.  Just...” he shook his head.  He couldn’t tell her what to do even if he did want to tell her to be careful.  She wouldn’t listen for one and for another, she’d go out of her way to do the opposite just to piss him off.  “Just take everything you’ve heard with a grain of salt.”

He nearly stumbled, not really expecting that but he gave her a small nod.  “I’m sure they would’ve but I’m not sure it suits me.  I have to sit back and watch idiots go in and get themselves killed or hurt and there’s nothing I can do about it.”  It made him angry enough that he wished he could do something but there was no way he was going to pass this curse on to someone else.  Giving it to Sam was probably the biggest mistake he’d ever made and he regretted it, even if it meant she’d always be around.  He had family that would know who he really was.  Getting to his office, he ignored most of the medics milling around and went straight into his office, locking the door.  “Want some coffee?  I know you used to live on the stuff.”