Fic: Hiding in Plain Sight - Part Seven

[nikki4noo]

“So, gonna tell me what is going on?” Jim finally asked once they had been on the road for a little while.

“Are we being tailed?” Bones responded instead with a question.

“What? No,” Jim said.

“You sure?” Bones pushed.

Jim flicked an annoyed look his way. “Yes, I’m sure.”

“Then find a quiet street and pull over,” Bones told him as he stared ahead.

“Why?” Jim asked.

“For Christ’s sake, you have to question everything dontcha?” Bones complained. He continued before Jim could respond. “I need you to make a call and don’t want you driving while doing so. Prefer you having both hands on the wheel.”

“I dunno, Bones, I reckon there might just be a situation where you don’t mind my hands elsewhere,” Jim said as he moved one hand off the wheel and over toward Bones’ thigh.

“Ow!” he cried as Bones slapped at his hand before it could reach its intended destination.

“Enough of that!” Bones snapped at him.

Jim resisted the temptation to poke his tongue out as he attempted to turn off Lincoln Way into a smaller street. The after school traffic was a little nuts, but he managed it, finally finding a place to pull over to the side.

He got his phone out and showed it to Bones.

“So, who am I calling?” he asked.

“Pike,” Bones said, his jaw set.

Jim pulled up the contact and glanced over at Bones, who had the knuckle of one hand in his mouth and was gently worrying at it with his teeth.

“What am I gonna talk to him about?” Jim asked.

“Nero,” Bones said.

“What?” Jim replied, twisting slightly in his seat all the better to look at Bones who was still refusing to look at him.

“I’ve seen Nero, well, pretty damn sure it was him, “ Bones said as he turned serious eyes onto Jim.

“Bullshit!” Jim said.

“No bullshit, now call Pike, ‘cause I bet they are gonna be on the move soon. They are holed up in a little warehouse down at Hunters Point.”

“Fuck,” Jim breathed out as he dialed up Pike’s number.

There was that little click that told him Pike wasn’t in his office and his call was being re-routed back to Reception. Sure enough, Janice answered.

“Janice, Kirk here,” Jim interrupted her. “Can you put me through to Sulu?”

“Certainly. Transferring,” Janice said and then there was the god-awful muzak of the hold system coming tinnily through his phone.

“Jim, where are you?” Sulu said as his voice cut in mercifully over the abomination happening to his ear drums.

“Um, oh yeah, just past the entrance to Golden Gate park,” Jim told him.

“Where the fuck have you been? Pike was asking earlier and I told him you had to go see McCoy about some information. You better have something to tell him,” Sulu said.

“Where’s Pike?” Jim asked. “And Bones is here with me.”

“Got called out for something urgent with Archer. Don’t know when he will be back,” Sulu told him.

“Pike’s not there,” Jim told Bones before continuing to talk to Sulu. “What about Komack, although I know he hates my guts.”

“They all got called out,” Sulu replied. “What’s going on Jim?”

“Bones has seen Nero, but we’ve got to move fast to get our hands on him,” Jim said.

“Holy cow! Spock can’t help as Interpol only ‘assists’ investigations. No real power. But he is in here illegally, we can get him that way,” Sulu said.

“Sulu, you are brilliant, how could I forget that?” Jim cried.

“Probably because your eyes have been focused elsewhere?” Sulu muttered.

Jim glared at his phone in response. “Look, can you brief Spock about the Nero sighting and we’re gonna need that anticipatory warrant that Pike arranged when this whole thing started,” Jim looked toward Bones. “This is gonna blow your cover,” he told Bones.

“Was always gonna happen once we found him,” Bones replied.

“Right, let Spock know about Bones and get the team together. We’ve got to get in there now and get these guys before they disappear again and start blowing shit up in this country,” Jim told Sulu.

“Done. Get in here fast, man,” Sulu told him.

Jim hung up the phone and put it back in his pocket, “Hey, Bones,” he said as he grinned toward him.

“What?” Bones warily replied.

“Buckle up!” Jim said as he waggled his eyebrows and started the car up again.

He pulled out and quickly turned the car back onto the main road to head toward the FBI Offices, at a considerably faster speed than before.

***

“Remind me to never to let you drive again,” Bones grumbled as they walked down the corridor to the meeting room that Janice had directed them to.

Jim opened the door and the pair of them entered. Inside was the team that Sulu had assembled. There were the regulars that Jim expected and a few others that he didn’t.

Spock walked away from where he had been in discussion with Uhura, Pavel, and Scotty. He held his hand out toward Bones.

“Special Agent Dr. McCoy, I am Agent Spock from Interpol,” Spock introduced himself.

Bones shook his hand. “Captain Pike let me know you guys were interested in Nero.”

“I can understand the captain’s reticence at not informing the team of your position within the Novikov Organization, and I appreciate your coming down to assist us,” Spock continued in his normal formal nature.

“Just doing my job,” Bones replied. “Time is of the essence though and we need to get there as soon as possible before they get moved.”

“Most logical,” Spock agreed. “Agent Kirk, I believe the team is yours.”

Jim could feel Bones’ look of shock toward him.

“What?” Bones exclaimed.

“Pike made him second in command for the task force,” Sulu said.

“You’re kidding me!” Bones continued in his same disbelieving tone.

“Thanks for the support, Bones,” Jim replied as he slapped him on the shoulder and walked toward the head of the table. “Please join me, Spock,” Jim said as he saw him about to sit down at the table.

There was a slight twitch of an eyebrow, but that was the only expression that he showed.

Jim waited for everyone to be seated. Noting the little looks that the others were throwing Bones’ way, especially Pavel and Scotty.

“Can I ask why Miss Uhura has been invited?” Jim asked Spock quietly.

“She has unparalleled linguistic abilities in association with the Romanian dialect. I discussed the matter briefly with Special Agent Sulu and he agreed that her knowledge of what the Romanians may say to each other would be invaluable. Mr Scott has prepared some listening devices to be worn by relevant Agents and Miss Uhura will be able to relay information back to both of us during the course of this mission through ear pieces. Also of importance will be any recordings that can be made. Miss Uhura does have previous inclusion in Interpol investigations and her work with the United Nations is exemplary.”

Jim considered the matter and nodded. He then turned to address the team.

“Okay, first off I would like to introduce you all to Special Agent Dr. Leonard McCoy,” Jim said as he pointed toward Bones. “He has been working undercover for us within the Novikov Organization as their doctor. Agent Sulu and I were advised of his status not long ago by Captain Pike. Now, down to business. The main reason we have been watching the Novikov Organization is to do with the information we received that they had links to the man we only know as Nero, who is also sometimes referred to as ‘the miner’. Nero has a Red Notice from Interpol against his name and is suspected for war crimes in the Balkans as well as bombings in Tunisia and Turkey. He and his followers have very unique tattoo markings. Dr. McCoy has identified these markings on a group currently situated in a warehouse down at Hunters Point.”

The team was still listening intently, even though most of this was information that they knew, so Jim got down to the vital points.

“Agent Spock has wisely chosen to arrange for some listening devices to be used. Sulu and Burly, you will both be wired up. As far as we are currently aware, there are only two entrances into the warehouse, so we will use the standard procedures. Hannity, you and Burly will take the front entrance and Sulu and myself the back,” Jim ordered.

“Jim,” Bones said. “You do realize I am the only one who has been in that warehouse. There is a very sick man as part of that group that needs medical attention.”

“Fine, when we get there we can do a quick reconnoiter and go through the plan again and make any adjustments as needed,” Jim replied, but he wasn’t happy about the idea of Bones going into the warehouse with them. “The group consists of Nero, his second in command, Ayel, and five other unidentified men.”

“That is seven men,” Spock pointed out.

“One of them is of no use to them,” Bones pointed out. “He’s right though, Jim. I didn’t see any weapons, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have any.”

“Spock, looks like you’re gonna get the opportunity to help us out,” Jim said.

“Interpol’s role is to observe and assist,” Spock calmly said.

“You can observe and assist from up real close,” Jim offered as he slapped Spock on the shoulder.

“Scotty, Pavel, you two will assist Miss Uhura in the translation as and when required, which will then be relayed back to Spock and myself. Everyone clear?” Jim asked.

There were nods from around the table.

“Good, Hannity you’re in charge of the weapons. Scotty and Pavel, can you two mic up Sulu and Burly?”

“Done,” Scotty agreed as he stood up. “If you gentlemen would like to come with me, we’ll get you all fixed up in a trice.”

Scotty left the room, followed by the other men. Hannity was close on their heels, but turned in the opposite direction once she reached the door. She was obviously heading for the weapons and equipment cache.

“I shall just leave you gentlemen to your final planning,” Uhura said as she too stood and left the room.

Jim walked back over toward where Bones was still sitting in his chair, although he had pushed it away from the table a bit.

“Bones, where’s your ID?” he asked.

“Shit,” Bones said. “Pike’s office. In his safe. Couldn’t keep it on me in case they found it.”

“Damn. You need your ID on you. You do know how to fire a gun, right?”

Bones gave him one of his best pissy looks. “No, Jim. I went to the Academy to sit on my ass the whole time. Idiot. Of course I know.”

“Agent Kirk, what is the meaning of this ‘Bones’ that you speak of? Special Agent Dr. McCoy I am not sure that insulting your team leader is appropriate,” Spock said.

“Don’t mind us, Agent Spock. Bones is the nickname I call Dr. McCoy, we are-” Jim paused as he searched for the right term to use. “Friends. I call him that name; he insults me. Special Agent Dr. McCoy is just really long to say. Much easier to call him Bones,” he said.

“I trust that you do not expect me to use that name?” Spock asked.

“I don’t like it when Jim does, but I ain’t one to stop him,” Bones said. “McCoy suits me just fine.”

Before Spock or Jim could reply, there was a knock on the open door. They all turned to see who it was and discovered Janice Rand standing there, looking as perfectly turned out as always. Jim realized that if anyone knew who could open Pike’s safe it would be her.

“Janice,” he grinned. “Looking lovely as always.”

“Dr. McCoy, I do believe you will be needing this,” she held out her hand and within it was a FBI badge.

Bones got out of the chair and walked over toward her. He took the badge and flipped open the cover to reveal the identification inside. His reaction was enough to tell Jim that the badge was his.

“Thank you, Miss Rand,” Bones said.

“I thought you said it was in Pike’s safe?” Jim asked.

“Last I saw of it, that’s where it was,” Bones replied.

Jim turned curious eyes on Janice, who just smiled at him in return.

“Did you break into Captain Pike’s safe, Janice?” Jim asked.

“Of course not. I had the combination,” Janice told them before turning and walking out of the room.

Bones laughed as he looked at Jim.

“Let’s go get kitted up,” Jim said as he walked toward the door and resisted the temptation to pout in Bones’ direction.

***

Jim pulled the car over as they entered the Hunters Point area down by the docks. He could see the others pulling up behind him.

He got out, grabbing the street directory. He walked around to the back of the car and opened up the directory to scan it until he found the right entry he was after. Bones had joined him from the other side of the car.

“Which street was it on?” Jim asked him while he waited for the others to join them. “We’re here,” he pointed out as Bones frowned down at the map.

“There,” Bones said as he pointed at a spot, H street.

Jim noted the streets around and started to formulate the plan. The others had joined them, Uhura hanging back a little, Jim noted, with Spock talking quietly to her.

“Scotty, how far away can you safely set the van to receive and transmit information from here?” Jim asked.

Scotty shouldered between Burly and Hannity to get a look at the street directory.

“I would guess here,” Scotty said as he pointed at a street one block away. “But this is an industrial area and it also depends on other factors around, like what are in nearby warehouses. If we could do a drive past I can do a little test to be sure?” he seemed to be asking permission.

“Pavel, reckon you can drive us past there and not make it look suspicious?” Jim asked.

“I can do that!” Pavel agreed with a large smile on his face.

“Wait a minute, Jim. How old are you, kid?” Bones asked.

“Seventeen!” Pavel answered proudly.

“Oh great, he’s seventeen,” Bones complained. “What the hell is a seventeen year old doing on a raid?”

“He works for us, Bones. Plus if there are any of the Novikov crew hanging around, they definitely know you, me, Sulu, Hannity and Burly. Spock could be spotted by the Romanians. Scotty is needed in the back of the van to run the test I presume?” Jim looked toward Scotty who nodded. “Miss Uhura is a civilian and I would like to keep her as safely away as possible. So that leaves Pavel as the best option and no one is gonna be suspicious of him. I mean look at him!” Jim pointed at Pavel who was not helping matters by beaming happily at Bones.

Jim figured that part of Bones’ disgruntled nature at the situation was to do with nerves and not being in control. The man definitely liked to be in charge and know what was going on. It had made their recent bouts of sex very interesting. Jim hoped that he would get a chance soon to have a go at some turnabout on the man. First though, they had a raid to get through.

“Bones?” Hannity asked.

“You really don’t want to know,” Sulu replied.

“I don’t feel so special any more,” Burly said sardonically toward Jim.

Jim just grinned at him and patted him on the cheek. “I still love ya, Cupcake.”

Burly snorted.

“Fine, but why are we still all standing around?” Bones interjected.

“Sulu? Hannity?” Jim asked, sure that they both knew exactly what he expected of them.

“We’ll get everything ready,” Hannity agreed.

“Miss Uhura, it might be best if you waited in the car. Keep an eye on her, Burly, we don’t want the UN getting annoyed at us,” Jim told him.

“That would be nothing new to you,” Bones muttered as he started to walk toward the van.

Sulu laughed at hearing Bones’ griping. Spock had paused to reassure Uhura of something. Jim noted that Spock’s hand was close to hers and then he reached forward to gently rub his fingers over hers in a gesture that spoke of a lengthy understanding between the two of them. It explained a lot.

Jim picked up the street directory and tossed it toward Pavel. “Can you follow those directions, Pavel?”

“Of course, sir. I have them already memorized and do not need the directory,” Pavel said as he caught the dog-eared directory.

“Well, take it just in case anyway,” Jim told him as he walked past to try and catch up to Scotty and Bones.

As he walked past Spock and Uhura, he heard Spock say, “Take care, Nyota.” The Ny of her name was elongated by Spock, making it sound very exotic and harking back to her African heritage. There was loving cadence to the way he said it. Jim watched with interest as Spock turned away from her to join him. Ahead of them Scotty and Bones had stopped to wait, while Pavel was getting into the driver’s seat of the van, oblivious to what had just been revealed. Scotty looked shocked, while Bones had that considering look on his face, the one that Jim knew meant he was filing information away to be used later.

“So her name is Nyota?” Jim asked as Spock joined him.

“I have no comment on the matter,” Spock replied with his normal stoic demeanor. Jim laughed at the stick-up-the-ass attitude. Spock couldn’t fool him now, he was getting to know the man.

“Let’s get in and get this show on the road,” Jim said as he pulled open the back door to the van, revealing the high tech kit on the inside that was hidden behind a rusty looking exterior and some blacked out back windows.

Scotty got in and immediately started playing with his equipment. Spock joined him at the console and they began quietly talking to each other as various lights and indicators flashed at them under Scotty’s quick and nimble fingers. Bones joined Jim by the back doors as Jim pulled them shut and called out to Pavel that they were all in and ready to go.

As the van pulled away from the curb, he asked Bones quietly if he was okay.

When he didn’t get an immediate response, Jim glanced back to see that Spock and Scotty were focused on the equipment, before he quickly reached and squeezed Bones gently on the arm.

“It’ll be fine,” Jim quietly assured him.

Bones turned that hazel gaze onto him. “Sure,” he said, but his gaze was telling Jim otherwise.

Jim flashed him a small smile and Bones turned to stare out the back windows. Jim let his hand drop away and they traveled quickly the rest of the way toward the warehouse in silence, apart from whatever Scotty was doing.

Pavel slowed the van as they reached H Street. Bones was now peering intently out the back of the van, toward the left side as Pavel continued driving at a steady pace.

“Coming up,” Bones said as they passed a sign that proclaimed, ‘F. Call Shipping’.

“Slow it a bit, Pavel,” Jim ordered.

Pavel did as ordered and Jim glanced forward to see the outline of him, though the partition that protected other people from seeing into the back of the van, leaning in the opposite direction from where they were all looking. The kid had great instincts.

Jim quickly turned back as Bones said, “There!” Spock immediately joined them and the three looked intently at the warehouse as Pavel continued slowly, pretending to look for something on the other side of the road.

Jim looked around and tried to envisage all the possible entrances and exits that could be created. Thankfully there appeared to be only the front door and the back one off to the far side that Bones had talked about. The windows were placed too high for anyone to crawl out of. It was small and quite derelict looking. Dark on the inside, no lights visible. The warehouses on either side had very high protective fences and it appeared to be the same at the back. It was almost a dead end.

“Got a lock, Scotty?” Jim asked.

“Aye,” Scotty said. “Laddie, turn left and then back onto the back street.”

“Yes, Mr. Scott, very good idea,” Pavel agreed.

Scotty turned back to his equipment and moved his headset back onto his ears.

Pavel didn’t speed off, he just kept slowly driving and pretending to look for a bit to allay suspicions of anyone watching the van. As he approached the cross roads, turned left and continued at a decent pace along the route that Scotty had suggested.

“Not too bad, seems we might be able to keep everything contained,” Jim told Spock and Bones.

“It might behoove you to consider alternatives in case of unknown scenarios,” Spock pointed out.

“Already done,” Jim assured him. “But it’ll work Spock, it’ll work. You’ll get your man.”

The rest of the drive back was spent in silence, Jim and Bones keeping guard by the back doors while Spock retreated to observe Scotty.

Pavel pulled the van to a stop on the other side of the road. Jim opened the back door and exited, heading over to Hannity’s car where Sulu and she were standing. Burly was by the other car, standing at its side while he talked to Uhura, who was seated in the back seat.

When Jim joined the other two, Burly left his position to head over as well.

Jim waited for Spock, Bones and Burly to join before he started telling the team the plan of attack. They drew a rough plan of the warehouse in the dirt by the side of the road. Scotty had joined them by this stage. Jim outlined that he and Sulu would enter from the door near the back, while Burly and Hannity would cover the front. Bones would enter after the initial arrests were made and see to the sick man. Spock would stand by the other door. He would provide a block but his status meant he couldn’t actually do anything. He declined the loan of a gun in order to make sure that the arrest couldn’t be tainted in any way.

Once Jim was sure that everyone was clear on their role, he sent them all off to get kitted up. He and Spock to be fitted with the IFB’s and receivers first, while Hannity handed out the weapons. Jim watched to see what Bones’ reaction was. While he was undercover, he didn’t have the weapon in his possession that was a normal part of an agent’s uniform. He also couldn’t undertake the mandatory training that happened regularly. Jim wanted to make sure that Bones would be able to take part in this raid. Bones’ long fingers slowly gripped the grip, testing the weight of the Glock in his hand. Then his movements became swift and sure as he checked the magazine, proving that he knew exactly what he was doing.

Spock apparently had to call Jim’s name more than once before getting his attention away from Bones and his hands. Jim snapped himself back to the task. He stepped up to the trunk and pulled out his flak jacket to put on, the others already had theirs. Dark blue with large yellow letters on the back. FBI. There would be no mistaking who they were.

Scotty had left to escort Miss Uhura to the van and the pair of them, with Pavel, set off to their hiding point so they could monitor and record the raid.

Jim checked to make sure everyone, apart from Spock, was armed and had their ID badges on display. With a nod, they all headed toward the cars, got in the right one for their ‘grouping’ and the drivers, in this case Hannity and Jim, started the cars and took off. Jim drove a slightly more circuitous route so that he and Hannity brought the cars toward the warehouse from opposite directions.

When Jim pulled into the street, he noticed that Hannity had beaten him there, as expected, but had pulled the car over to the side of the road. When she spotted his car, she pulled out and headed toward the warehouse. Jim sped up and arrived shortly after her. In near silence they all exited the cars and rushed to take up their positions. Jim knew that he and Sulu had to be loud as they entered in order to give the signal for the other two. He turned to check that Sulu and Bones were ready. They nodded at him, guns drawn and held securely downwards, just waiting for the right moment. Jim took a deep breath, steeled himself, turned the handle on the door and pushed it open.

“FBI! Hands in the air,” he cried as he entered the darkened space. He heard Sulu barking the same instructions. There was a flash of movement toward the front door and then a halt when Hannity and Burly burst in, guns drawn and silhouetted against the sunlight streaming in. Those that had been rushing forward stopped abruptly and raised their hands in the air.

Instructions were then barked for them to lie on the ground, hands on their heads. Jim hung back to observe the room better. Spock had entered to stand in the doorway and provide a block should anyone attempt to make a run for that door, while Jim was minding the side one. Bones entered and rushed past Jim toward the one person who hadn’t moved. Obviously the man he had seen to earlier in the day. Bones checked him over but kept his weapon in one hand just in case the man or others were going to cause further trouble.

Jim could count that, including the sick man, there were only five individuals present. That meant there were two missing, or still hiding somewhere in the warehouse. It was particularly devoid of clutter or even boxes, apart from some stacked up against the front wall that Jim would get the others to...

“Jim!” he heard Bones cry. He turned as he felt a rush of air moving toward him. A man was coming at him out of the shadows. He didn’t have time to raise his weapon before he felt a sharp pain at the base of his skull and then down his arm.

He felt himself loosing grip on his gun that then went skittering across the floor. He shook his head quickly and blinked to allow light back into his vision. Once he could clearly see again, he noticed the man now rushing toward some step railings, up to a walkway high up at skylight level. There was no way he was going to let the perp get out that way.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sulu moving toward him.

“I got this,” Jim cried as he rushed forward to try and reach the man. He could hear a cacophony of noise as the detainees started yelling out in what he could only presume was Romanian. There were more barked instructions from his team and he could see Bones moving to help Sulu, who was covering two of them. He ignored the fact he had lost his gun. It was too far away to retrieve and hand to hand would just have to do. If the guy had any weapons, he would have used them at the first rush toward him.

The man was climbing swiftly up the ladder. Jim got the impression that he was half monkey with how quickly he was going. Jim grabbed onto the ladder and started climbing himself. The metal was cool to the touch under his hands and had that rough texture that only came with years of rust and dirt. Jim pulled himself up the rungs as quickly as he could, trying to get to the man before he could take off along the walkway and disappear out onto the roof. There was a boot just ahead of him and Jim reached out to grab hold of it. He got a grip but then it was like trying to hold onto a bag full of squirming kittens. The man hit the walkway hard, the rattle of the metal loud, even over the yelling happening below. He started to lash out with his foot, trying to dislodge Jim’s grip. Jim had to stop his own climb in order to hold on, his shoes slipping a bit on the surface of the rung after a particularly vicious kick, back and down toward his head. He hung on for dear life with his other hand.

“FBI. Give it up, man,” Jim ordered.

He could hear the faint voices of Uhura and Pavel as they tried to translate what was being said. The sound was crackling and a little distracting but Jim tried to concentrate on the man above him, still squirming and kicking out. He got lucky with one swift kick right toward Jim’s head. In order to not fall off the ladder, Jim had to let go of the foot and duck out of the way. As soon as he let go, the man was scrambling to stand up, so Jim re-grasped the ladder and pulled himself up the final rungs. He had limited warning before a boot landed on his hand that had reached the top of the walkway.

“Argh,” he cried as he felt every indentation in the sole of the boot as it connected with the bones in his hand. The next move would be another stomp on his hand, but Jim refused to let go or move it. He knew he had one chance to climb up and would have to risk further injury while he was in this vulnerable position. He gripped harder as he saw the boot rise again. Suddenly he saw something that made him reconsider the man he was fighting with.

The faint light coming through the dirt encrusted windows was enough to illuminate with a flash, the metal tucked into the man’s waistband. Something that looked remarkably like a gun. Jim was utterly confused as to why the guy hadn’t used it on him earlier when he had the drop. Jim only had seconds to process this shocking new development before the boot connected with his hand again. He steeled himself, bunched his muscles and just as it was about to land again, he surged upwards, using his now free hand to grab the foot and jerk it high.

The surprise was on Jim’s side this time, the movement of his leg caused the other man to tip backwards and fall with a thud onto the walkway. Jim scrambled up to pull himself onto the same level and then crawled after the man, who was now trying to turn over himself so he could rise. Jim made a grab for his legs.

The walkway swayed slightly as the pair of them grappled. The man kicking out and twisting his body as he attempted to get free. Jim crawled forward, ruining his suit pants, slipping as he held onto the man’s legs for dear life. He used his leverage on the man’s legs to help pull himself up further, to where he could attempt to overpower the man before he remembered he had a gun.

The higher Jim got, the more he had to duck blows from fists and knees. Some connected and some missed, a particularly good one got him right on the cheekbone and he felt more than heard a possible crack followed by a swift pain. That was enough of a hit to allow the man to struggle upwards and aim a kick toward Jim’s head, another glancing blow as he twisted away to avoid it, not fully succeeding. A flash of light in the darkness being most unwelcome, another injury to add to his list.

The man turned to run again and Jim spotted what he was aiming for. A partially open window, large enough to crawl through. Jim rose and sprinted after him. He grabbed the man around the waist and tried to twist them both to land back down on the walkway. The impact of his shoulder on the man had him expelling an “oof” of breath. Another sore spot he would have to deal with tomorrow. The fight then started in earnest.

Fists, clawing hands and all within the confined space of the walkway, the railings keeping them both from tentatively tumbling over and onto the hard concrete floor below. If it wasn’t a fist getting him, then it was the metal of those railings connecting with his body and leaving bruises that were sure to be impressive later. They both managed to stagger upwards between blows, neither gaining any real ascendancy.

Jim got in some good punches himself, including a particularly satisfying one that had his knuckles cracking, the skin splitting and the sound of bones connecting solidly with bone. The man’s head snapped back and he staggered slightly. His coat billowed out and Jim’s eyes were drawn down to his waist. His fears were confirmed when he clearly saw a gun. Jim moved smartly toward him but the man recovered even quicker than expected and Jim found his air cut off. He hadn’t even seen the hands coming until it was too late.

The man pushed him back toward the railing. Jim could faintly hear his name being called from below, but that was muffled in comparison to the rushing of blood through his ears as the man squeezed harder and bent him backwards over the railing. Jim’s hands scrambled ineffectively as he tried to get the man to release his grip.

“Nero, call him off or I shoot,” he heard Bones yell.

“What?” the man asked as a wary look came over his eyes, replacing the intent one that had been there so recently.

Jim took his chance with the distraction from below. His hands moved down where he had last seen the gun.

“I mean it, Nero! Call off Ayel or I will shoot you,” Bones repeated loud and clear, silencing everyone in the room.

“Ngghn,” Jim tried to speak, but it was difficult with your airway being squeezed while bent backwards over a railing in a position most gymnasts would be impressed with.

He got Ayel’s attention back on him. “What?” he asked again.

“Ngghn,” Jim tried to speak again. Ayel mercifully relaxed his grip just enough that Jim was able to rasp out his next words.

“I got your gun,” Jim said as he pulled the hammer back on the old style revolver. The sound was unmistakable and clearly echoed around the warehouse.

Ayel had a choice to make. Be shot or live.

Jim watched as conflicting thoughts fought for dominance in his head, his face expressing his confusion.

“Ayel,” Bones yelled. “Back off or I will shoot ‘your Lord’!”

“Who is to say you really have My Lord in your sight? You know I can’t see below and he may not even be there. You could be pretending like you were earlier this day. Pretending to care for Sirol,” Ayel yelled back.

Jim pressed the gun further into Ayel’s gut.

“He wasn’t pretending, and you can bet as sure as shit he isn’t now,” Jim growled. “Don’t give me an excuse to pull this trigger.”

Spock then called out something in a language that Jim was unfamiliar with but it seemed that Ayel was well aware of what it meant. The look in his eyes turned to fear and he let go of Jim’s neck, stepped back and away from him.

There was noise from below and Jim heard Sulu barking instructions for Hannity to cover the detainees while Burly was to cover Bones and arrest Nero. The man, the shadow that so many international agencies had been chasing, was finally coming out into the light. Jim wasn’t going to see it happen. He had a Romanian that he needed to get back down the ladder, somehow.

“Move,” he ordered as he gestured with the gun toward the ladder.

Ayel watched him warily before turning and trudging back the way they had come. They moved considerably quicker now they were walking on their feet instead of crawling and kicking at each other. Jim tried not to cough to help his throat recover. He didn’t want Ayel to suspect any weak spots. Instead, he kept swallowing, as it seemed to make him feel a little bit better. Ayel paused at the ladder and Jim considered how on earth he was going to cover the man and then get down himself.

“Come on down, Ayel,” Sulu said.

Jim glanced down and there was Sulu, gun trained on Ayel. Jim turned back to their captive and motioned with the revolver for him to head down the ladder.

He climbed down considerably slower than how he had come up. Jim took the opportunity to check out what was going on in the rest of the warehouse. Hannity was being her efficient self and had herded the other members all together and was reading them their Miranda rights. Burly was putting handcuffs on a bald-headed man with a series of very impressive tattoos upon whatever skin he had exposed. Bones was watching the man intently, gun extended as he covered Cupcake. Spock was still in the agreed upon spot by the door. Jim had no idea what he had said but he was exceedingly grateful. He hadn’t wanted to shoot an unarmed man but Ayel had some insane strength in his hands and Jim was going to have an impressive set of bruises to show off.

“Turn around, hands up,” Sulu ordered when Ayel reached the floor of the warehouse. Sulu then searched him for weapons. When he found nothing, he ordered Ayel to place his hands down on his back, pulled out his handcuffs and cuffed him. Once he was satisfied, he pulled Ayel none too gently away from the ladder and Jim, uncocking the revolver, slipped it into his waist band and started to climb down himself. He was starting to feel all the aches and pains from his little fracas with Ayel. There was blood seeping out slowly of the grazes on his knuckles, there were surely other bloody reminders of the fight on the rest of his body. To hide the severity of his injuries, he did a little jump down a couple of rungs from the bottom, steeling himself not to wince as he landed.

Burly was moving Nero toward the group with Hannity. Jim could see there was some frantic discussion going on in undertones amongst the group but at the sight of Nero being walked toward them, they shut up.

“Burly,” Jim called.

Burly turned toward him and Jim just shook his head slightly. “Keep him away from them,” he mouthed.

Burly pulled Nero away and closer to Spock, who Jim could see was tensing slightly as the men approached.

“You might want to get your gun,” Sulu pointed out.

Jim looked and saw where it had skittered across the floor and into the kitchen area. He walked over to collect it, noting that Bones had gone back to the sick man and was checking on him again.

“Have they all had their Mirandas?” Jim asked as he put his gun back in it’s holster.

Hannity nodded at him and Sulu did the same.

“I read them for Nero,” Bones said without looking up.

“And him?” Jim asked, meaning the sick man.

“He got ‘em but I don’t know if he understands,” Bones replied.

Jim’s phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and saw Pike’s number on the screen. This was going to be fun.

“Kirk,” he answered.

“Do you want to explain to me exactly what is going on?” Pike asked, his tone letting Jim know that he wasn’t best pleased.

Jim looked around the warehouse before answering.

“We’ve got Nero and his crew,” Jim said, deciding to be blunt.

Pike sighed into the phone. “Where are you?”

“At the warehouse down at Hunter’s Point. I gave the details to Janice, she passed them on to you, right?”

“She did. She left a message with Archer’s secretary to call her as soon as I got out of the meeting,” Pike explained.

“I like Janice,” Jim said.

“I’m sure she lives for your approval,” Pike sardonically replied.

“Are you on your way here?” Jim asked, ignoring that comment from Pike.

“I am. What do you need, Kirk?” Pike asked. Jim could hear the sounds of traffic in the distant background.

“We’ve only got two cars here, and the van, but we can’t use that. Oh and Olsen’s gonna be pissed. Scotty did some ‘things’ to it,” Jim explained.

“I think he will be more pissed that you took it without him being around,” Pike responded. “I can handle Olsen, how many cars do you need?”

Jim did a quick calculation in his head. “With yours brings it to three, so we need another four, no three and an ambulance.”

“Who did you shoot?” Pike asked.

Jim turned around and away from the others as he answered Pike in a hissed tone. “I didn’t shoot anyone! There was a sick member of Nero’s crew, that’s how Bones found out about it. The guy really isn’t well and I think Bones would be happy if he was in a hospital.”

“McCoy’s there?” Pike asked.

“Yeah, he led us here and wanted to check on the sick guy. He was the one to collar Nero,” Jim said quietly as he looked over his shoulder and back at Bones.

“His cover’s fully blown now,” Jim continued.

“We’ll deal with it back in the office. I’ll be there shortly and arrange for the extra cars to get there.”

“Thank you, sir,” Jim said. “Kinda surprised you haven’t yelled at me yet, though.”

“Kirk, that will come later,” Pike said just before hanging up.

“Oh goodie,” Jim sighed as he looked down at his phone.

“Pike?” Sulu asked as Jim slipped the phone back in his pocket.

“Yeah, bringing some extra cars. Got to keep this lot separate,” Jim said.

Sulu was guarding Ayel, standing between him and the open door that was letting in a small amount of light. It wasn’t enough to illuminate the space though, there were still darkened nooks and crannies that they hadn’t checked.

“Keep an eye on them, I’m just gonna check these areas,” Jim said as he nodded toward where Nero had been hiding.

“Here,” Sulu said as he tossed him a small pen light he had pulled out of his pocket.

“Thanks,” Jim replied as he caught it. He pulled out his gun and, positioning the light alongside it, proceeded toward the dark areas.

Jim carefully searched each section, but didn’t find anything of interest apart from items that proved that the warehouse had been out of use for a while and it’s only inhabitants, until recently, were rats. It was clear that the group had only been in residence a day or two at the most. Novikov’s little game on Sunday now made complete sense. While the major law agencies in the city were occupied with a huge drug and gun smuggling bust, the Romanians were brought in. Right under their noses.

“You clever asshole,” Jim said quietly as he realized all the strings that Novikov had been pulling, including within his own organization. Jim looked toward Bones, who was still kneeling on the floor by his patient. “Maybe not that clever, though.”

“Do you always talk to yourself, Kirk?” Pike asked him.

Jim jumped slightly and turned toward the voice. Sure enough, there was his boss, who had managed to sneak up on him.

“If it gets me intelligent conversation, then sure,” Jim replied.

Pike tilted his head and gave him his best, ‘cut the crap and brief me, now, agent,’ look.

Jim took the hint and started updating Pike on all that had happened and the decisions that Jim had made in his absence. Partway through the explanation, the ambulance turned up. Bones looked up in surprise and noticed Pike for the first time. Jim filed away the knowledge that once Bones got in doctor mode, he became oblivious to all other things happening around him.

“Thank you, sir,” Bones said to Pike as the paramedics started to ready the gurney to transfer the man away.

“Don’t thank me,” Pike said as he strode over to Bones. ”Jim was the one who told me to call one.”

Bones looked at him quickly and Jim saw the narrowing of his eyes as he took in the scrapes that were now starting to sting on his face.

The small warehouse began to feel smaller as more people entered through the single front door.

“Good, Immigration are here. They have all been read their Mirandas?” Pike asked.

Jim nodded, “even the sick one, although Bones wasn’t sure if he really understood. They have all been told they are being detained under suspicion of being illegal aliens.”

“Good. You stay here,” Pike ordered Bones as he made a move to follow the paramedics.

Bones opened his mouth to speak, but Pike held up one hand and Bones shut his mouth. Jim noted the pissed off look on Bones’ face, but marveled that Pike had the power to shut him up.

“Stay. We will be handing them over to Immigration. You can follow later but for now you will stay here,” Pike ordered before heading over to speak to the Immigration agents who were conversing with Hannity.

Bones stepped closer to Jim. “You need to get looked at, kid,” he said quietly.

“They’re just scrapes,” Jim tried to brush him off.

“These aren’t scrapes,” Bones said as he raised his hand up to touch Jim’s neck.

Jim flinched away. “I told you, I don’t do well with doctors.”

“If I have to tie you down, I will look at these,” Bones promised.

Jim waggled his eyebrows before leaning forward to speak quietly. “You can tie me up, if I get to handcuff you again.”

“Jim,” Bones hissed warningly. “I’ll damn well gag you instead!”

“Promises,” Jim whispered into Bones’ ear.

“Kirk! McCoy!” Pike yelled. Jim looked up to see him stalking over toward where Burly had Nero.

“C’mon,” Jim said as he motioned for Bones to join him in heading over to join Pike.

They arrived just in time to hear him introduce himself.

“I’m Special Agent in Charge, Captain Christopher Pike, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Francisco Office,” Pike said.

Nero looked up at him from where he had been sitting cross legged on the floor, his hands cuffed securely behind him. Jim got his first look up close at the man that had struck fear in the hearts of many well seasoned law enforcement officials. His dark eyes were intent on Pike. The tattoos were a very unique look and, unlike Vasily who had a veneer of attempting to fit into society, this man was destined to always stand out.

“Hello Christopher. I’m Nero,” he said in a slightly mocking tone.

“This is Agent Kerrigan from Immigration. I am passing custody of you over to him,” Pike told him.

Nero’s face was expressionless. Surrounded on all sides by government and, in the case of Spock, an international agent, he should have been scared, annoyed. Or anything really, to show that he had been caught after nearly two years evading capture as one of the most wanted war criminals and terrorists in the world. There was nothing, just a calm acceptance. Jim was sure the man had something planned and if the way all of the other agents were standing, then they were having similar thoughts.

Kerrigan reached for Nero to assist him in standing and started to walk him toward the cars waiting outside. When Nero reached Spock, he stopped.

“Say hello to your mother for me, Spock,” Nero said before Kerrigan pulled him away.

Spock’s eyes flared for a moment and there might have been a twitch on his cheek, but he just glanced down at the floor after Nero had passed.

Jim looked at Bones, who did a little shoulder shrug, appearing as mystified as Jim as to what that was all about. There was history between the two men. One Jim knew he would get the answers too sooner or later.

“Spock?” Pike asked.

“I am equable, Captain. May I suggest that we return to the office and see what information Mr. Scott and Miss Uhura were able to gleam from their recordings?”

Jim looked around to see other Immigration agents escorting out the Romanians. He hissed quietly in pain as the movement had caused a muscle to pull in a way it didn’t currently want to.

It wasn’t quietly enough.

“McCoy, look him over,” Pike ordered. “We will meet you back at the office. And don’t even start to tell me you are fine, Kirk!”

“Over here,” Bones said as he started to walk toward the kitchen area and the only working light in the whole building. “Sit.” Bones pointed at the counter.

Jim obeyed, but he wasn’t that pleased with having to be checked over.

Bones moved in closer and Jim spread his legs to allow him access. Bones was focusing on his neck. He tilted his chin up and felt Bones’ gentle fingers probing at the sore spots on his neck. Jim closed his eyes and just let Bones tend to him. He winced as Bones probed at his hand, but still kept his eyes shut, just concentrating on the feel of them. Jim finally opened his eyes as Bones pushed on his cheek.

“Ow,” Jim complained.

“Shush, you big baby,” Bones responded.

“I get the shit kicked out of me and you call me a big baby?” Jim complained.

“So you admit you did?” Bones asked. “You will go to the hospital after we get back.”

“I’m fine,” Jim said.

Bones just looked at him, making his disbelief of that statement evident. He moved his hands around to the back of Jim’s head. Jim hissed when he found a particularly sore spot.

“Fine, my ass,” Bones said.

Jim smirked as he slid his hands around Bones’ waist and squeezed his ass. “That it is.”

“Jim,” Bones said warningly as he looked around the warehouse.

“No one is here,” Jim said. “I checked.”

“Anyone can come back in at any time. Don’t make me tell Pike you were uncooperative,” Bones threatened.

Jim leaned forward to press a quick kiss to Bones’ lips.

“Jim,” Bones said against his lips as Jim kissed him again.

Jim groaned. The movement of Bones’ lips were too tempting and Jim wanted to press even harder, but he was right, now was not the time.

Jim raised his hands up and sat back up again. “I’ll be good,” he said.

“I’ll believe that when you finally do it. C’mon, you need to be seen to, but we need to finish this off first,” Bones said as he slid his hands off of Jim. There was a definite caress to his touch.

“You saved my ass,” Jim said, stopping Bones as he stepped backwards.

“Just doing my -” Bones started to say before Jim interrupted him.

“Bullshit. If it wasn’t for you I might have had to shoot him and heaven knows what Nero might have done,” Jim told him.

“I...” Bones stared at the ground. “I’m not sure I’m really cut out for this.”

Jim slid off the kitchen counter. “None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for you,” Jim said.

“Yeah, maybe,” Bones was still looking down as he turned and walked over toward the door.

Jim followed.

The fading sunshine of the late afternoon greeted them as they exited the building. Sulu was over by the car. Two cars Jim didn’t recognize were pulling out onto the road, and the ambulance was nowhere in sight. Bones and Jim headed over toward Sulu.

“Oh fuck,” Bones said.

Jim quickly glanced at Bones to see what had caused him to exclaim. Bones was looking at the road. Jim glanced back to see two cars slowly cruise past, and his hand crept back to his weapon.

“Sokolov’s,” Bones said.

“Yeah,” Jim agreed.

“All four of them. Bogdan, Leonid, Valery and Rostislav,” Bones named each of them as they passed. “Fuck,” Bones exclaimed again.

“No way can you go back to your apartment. Cover fully blown now. We’ll have to update Pike,” Jim agreed.

“Speaking of,” Sulu said. “We should get out of here. Don’t want to hang around here too much longer.”

“Deal,” Jim agreed.

They all got into the car, Sulu driving, and headed back to the office to wind up their investigation.

Part eight this way