(Untitled)

[timeagent_john]

He can feel it, just under his skin. It doesn't hurt, but it's warm... buzzing. He doesn't like to think about what it might be capable of, all it's different tin features. John scratches at the skin that covers it, the skin going red beneath his fingernails. There's a moment where he wonders if he can't dig it out, slice it out... But no, it's too

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[more_flexible]

The heavy rhythm of his boots on the pavement went past the alleys, past the bars, past thewhores and homeless. He was on his way back to the Rose, a slip of paper and stack of credits held within his pocket. Jack's coat billowed behind him as he swaggered along the walk, the crowd parting for him like he was an oncoming cruiser. He owned the air around him, and yet was remarkably anonymous when he chose to be. Once he'd passed, all there was left was the sound of his boots and the memory of long, dark coat tails.

[timeagent_john]

There was still a path cleared as John stepped out of the ally. A strange unnatural space between the small crowd of people. One glance to the left, and he just caught sight of the other man's coat as he turned the corner.

He shoved a few people out of the way as he picked up the pace, moving swiftly after the other man and struggling to think fast on his feet. The moment Jack was within reach, John grabbed the other man by the collar, shoving him off the street and into the dark of one of Siam's many alleyways.

He pushed the other man roughly up against the wall, one hand moving to his neck to hold him in place.

His hand went for his gun first, but there was a moment of hesitation before he grabbed something else instead. A small vicious looking device that he pressed against the other man's ribs.

"We need to leave," he said simply.

[more_flexible]

Jack caught his breath, his eyes going wide. No one caught him off guard, so when it happened it was a genuine shock...until he recognized the face.

"Wha-" he started, eyes darting down, then back up. "Sweetheart, I didn't get you anything," he said smoothly.

[timeagent_john]

"I'm not joking," John said again, pressing the device firmer against Jack's side. "We have to leave. So either you come with me, or I take you with me," he said, not offering explanation as to why they had to go, or where.

"It's for your own good. I'm only doing this because I love you."

[more_flexible]

He tensed and tried to pull back, to get away. Chains and lashings were one thing, but that was no toy John held and Jack had no interest in that sort of pain. Love didn't even begin to factor into t.

"My own good. You've got a hell of a way of convincing me."

[timeagent_john]

"Because talking to you is like talking to a brick wall," John hissed. "You always did need that extra push before you'd pay attention."

Without warning he clicked the device on, keeping it on it's lowest setting. Just enough to hurt, but not so much that Jack wouldn't be able to listen. "Either you agree to come with me, or we find out just how high I have to set this thing before it kills you. You're not too heavy to carry, Jack. Not even when you're dead weight."

[more_flexible]

As soon as he felt it, Jack tensed more, gritted his teeth, and bit back a groan. It wasn't bad, considering some of the shit he'd gone through, but it wasn't anything he wanted to savor, either.

"Where," he said softly, not trusting his voice much.

[timeagent_john]

"I don't know," John said honestly. "We take your ship though," he decided, flicking the device off as he collected himself again.

He was calm in an instant, smooth even as he took a small step back, giving Jack a little space. "We're not safe on mine. Besides, yours is prettier, I've seen her. Lots of shiny buttons to press."

[more_flexible]

He straighened his coat, stood up straighter, and leveled an icy gaze at John. "You don't get to touch her shiny buttons," he said steadily, then nodded at the sidewalk. "And keep that fucking thing in your pocket."

That was it, then he was off, walking at the same pace as if nothing at all had happened. John inside Rose...this was going to be all sorts of fun.

[timeagent_john]

John followed close behind, nearly treading on Jack's heels as he tucked the device away. "You never were good at sharing your toys," he said, speaking as if he hadn't just threatened to kill the other man.

[more_flexible]

"Yeah, yeah," he said dismissively, waving his free hand. The other held tight to the slip of paper and creds in his pocket. Another block and he turned into a lot and headed for a black rig. It was beat to shit and the glass was cracked, but no one fucked with it in Siam.

"Get in," he ordered. If John was willing to kill him to get him to listen, he could spare a little time.

[timeagent_john]

"Have you forgotten the part where I'm giving the orders?" John asked, sounding annoyed. He followed though, he always did in the end when Jack took the lead.

He eyed the rig, looking it over before rolling his eyes and climbing in.

[more_flexible]

"Give all the orders you want," he said, grinning a little as he slammed the door behind him and turned the engine over. Once John was seated, he looked over. "But I'm driving. So, you going to tell me what's going on, or is this some stupid game?"

[timeagent_john]

"It's not a game," John said calmly, watching Jack drive. "And even if I did tell you what was going on, it's not like you'd believe me," he said, laughing bitterly.

[more_flexible]

"That might be the only thing to come out of your mouth that I would believe," he replied, then gunned it and peeled out into traffic, heading for te spaceport.

[timeagent_john]

"You must believe something I've said," John replied, holding on as Jack accelerated. "You're being cooperative. Almost too cooperative."