Jamie and X coming to Eureka.

[smart_house]

It may be awkward for X-23 and Jamie, transitioning from Milliways to Eureka. SARAH herself does not notice much of anything when she moves back and forth, but she advised her two guests to sit down on the living room couch before they left the bar.

"Exterior sensors have resumed function," SARAH announces. "Welcome to Eureka."

Comments

[walksthebounds]

"Well, it didn't eat him," Jamie says, picking up on her lead, and points to Stark. Helpfully.

[eureka_npcs]

He notices the kids out of the corner of his eye, but he's got more important things to deal with right now.

One ring.

Two.

[walksthebounds]

"Unless," Jamie pursues - loudly - "it turned into him. Like a werewolf or something. He's even kind of furry."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Why are you so stupid!"

X starts moving toward Stark, face set in a very sulky teenager expression.

She can't do scared very well.

"He's just a guy!"

[eureka_npcs]

He lowers the phone from his ear as it starts to rings a third time and cancels the call, cutting off the breathless "Hello? Dr. Stark?" on the other end.

"If you wouldn't mind--"

Stark's tone is impatient as he turns to face the kids.

"--perhaps you could have your conversation elsewhere."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Why?"

She's still moving toward him.

"Do you think we're scared?"

[walksthebounds]

. . . they don't have to get that close.

Jamie tags after her, and hits her in the arm, lightly. "I'm not scared anyways. I'm hardly a baby, Laura. I thought it was excellent!"

[eureka_npcs]

"Laura?"

He looks back and forth between them with a slight frown.

"I don't think I know you two."

[cutting_edgex23]

"No."

She stops two or three feet away from him, green eyes level and clear.

"We are new here. Mom's thinking about relocating."

Beat.

"He called you Mr. Stark. Didn't she call you?"

[eureka_npcs]

"Dr. Stark," he corrects, studying her.

It's possible Alison could be recruiting someone without having mentioned it, but--

"And no, she didn't."

[walksthebounds]

Jamie rolls his eyes. Hard.

"Laura just wants to pick your brains about something scientific," he says, to Stark, in extremely long-suffering tones. "I swear, she's more into moving here than Mom is. Come on," he adds, to Laura, and with absolutely no more emphasis than necessary for a bored preteen. "This is getting really dull again."

[cutting_edgex23]

X shoots Jamie a Look.

Then she looks back at Stark.

"Sorry, Dr. Stark. He's kind of a brat."

Beat.

"And Mom's kind of a flake. I left her a post-it, but I guess she forgot."

Now she's just waiting for the right moment.

Posture is key.

[eureka_npcs]

"It's all right." Stark offers a professional smile, adding, "Have your mom call me tomorrow morning."

He's already spent more time than he should on this. He nods to the girl and her brother and starts to lift the phone again as he turns back toward Eureka Gardens.

[walksthebounds]

Jamie wants to leave. Now.

He grabs for X's elbow -

[cutting_edgex23]

X moves the instant Stark turns away.

It's not hard to take down a man who isn't expecting it and who isn't combat-trained.

She keeps her claws sheathed, though.

Jamie should be pleased.

[eureka_npcs]

Wh--

One second he's conscious, and the next he's not.

The phone cracks loudly against the pavement as Nathan Stark collapses.

[cutting_edgex23]

"We should hurry."

And, without hesitation, X-23 steps past the unconscious Stark, picking up speed.

[walksthebounds]

Jamie stares after her for a moment. That, he thinks, was unnecessary.

But. Well.

At least he's not dead.

And there's no point in looking a gift unconscious bigwig in the mouth, so to speak.

"Hold up a minute," he says - if he had to wait for Laura to knock Stark out, at least he's going to reap the benefits - and stoops down to snatch the phone (no point in leaving evidence) before going for Stark's pockets.

Keys. No use; Jamie doesn't know what they open. Something bulky - probably money, and that he grabs, and then saunters after X. Or at least, as close to a saunter as something more at the speed of a run can ever be.

[cutting_edgex23]

X does not wait, though her pace slows for a few moments.

She is glad Jamie does not make her wait long.

"Do not contact SARAH."

Her voice is short and sharp.

"Someone might be listening."

[walksthebounds]

"We're on our way back there anyways, aren't we?" Jamie says, amiably enough, and trots a little faster.

"So what is this thing, anyways?" he adds, holding up the phone. "Some kind of talking device?"

And can you get money for it in the open market?

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

She doesn't even have to look at it.

"There may be information on it."

Like phone numbers. And e-mail.

[walksthebounds]

Jamie raises his eyebrows.

"Do we need information?"

It's a genuine question. They're going to be out of there soon enough, aren't they?

[cutting_edgex23]

"I do not know."

X's voice is matter-of-fact.

"Maybe."

She would feel safer if they had some, too. And SARAH.

Maybe it would be useful for her.

[walksthebounds]

Jamie holds over the phone.

"Do you want it, then?"

It's not like he has any idea how to use it.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Okay."

She reaches out to take it, though she doesn't slow down at all.

Then she stows it in the pocket of her jeans.

"You can keep the money."