Part 03 - Chapter 06 - The Unexpected
I left Rose sleeping hours ago and had puttered around in the control room working on my perpetual list of maintenance and repairs. I can't help feeling warmth in my hearts as I think about Rose curled up sleeping and that thought makes me think of our new resident. I figure him for a coffee person as his accent screams American. It will be morning soon and I learned quite awhile back that Rose is not really with it till she has her tea, so I head into the kitchen to start breakfast. After last night I know she will be hungry and as I don't have any idea when Jack last ate I figure it will be three for the meal.
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Jack looks around wondering, how did I get here? I look around and see my mates from school and one by one I watch in horror as they dissolve into animated corpses each meeting their doom in gruesome manners. Their hands reaching out to claim me as their own, “Mummy, mummy are you my mummy?” they chant and I run from them till there is no longer breath within me.
I hide in the shelter of a cliff, hide from the marching horrors that can’t find me, and so wander aimlessly looking for me. As I feel the bony prod of a spectral finger I can’t help but jump. I twist away from its presence as I see its flesh stripped hand reach for me. It is James, the cheerful sprite with whom I caroused as a boy, his hollowed out orbs seem to focus on upon me accusingly. “Why did you kill me? I trusted you! You were my best friend yet you killed me.”
I stumble backward, dodging away from his reaching hands, “No, I… I didn’t… James please believe me, I would never have harmed you!”
“Liar! You seduced me, convinced me to follow you, and join up with the agency. Do you remember how I died?”
Visions of James screaming as the savage natives of a small planet in the middle of nowhere drag him to a post in the center of their village assault me. I watch again as they slowly peel skin from his body in thin strips for the ‘crime’ of stepping on their holy burial grounds. His piteous screams echoing off the nearby cliffs until finally unconsciousness claims him, only for me to see them cauterize his flayed flesh to ensure that he doesn’t die before proper atonement has been made to their gods. I watch in terror as they revive him time and again till his heart fails him, knowing all the while I am to be next. “No!!” I scream over and over trying to stop them but still they continue. “Please stop, please…we didn’t mean to please… We didn’t know. No…” I scream till I no longer have voice but still they continue.
Bright so bright! I shield my eyes as a golden cloud obscures the nightmarish visions of my friend’s death. The cloud drifts toward me and I sigh as feel its warm comfort wrap around me. Peace seeps in every place it touches me and my pounding heart slows. I stare in wonder as the cloud coalesces into the form of a beautiful woman. Long brown hair flows about her shoulders, a pretty yellow sundress and bare feet making her seem very young. But one look into her eyes tells a far different story; they speak of great age and at the same time of timelessness.
"Who are you?" I ask in amazement. I know this isn't someone I have met before. I would surely remember someone this lovely, yet at the same time she seems very familiar.
Her response is a smile and in beautiful voice like that of an angel she replies, "A friend, now rest, Jack, sleep."
"I..." Even as I begin to speak the golden girl begins to return to a gaseous state and I can no longer keep my dream eyes open.
I awake to an odd humming sound and I try to place where I am, when I am.
In the air is the smell of spice and honey and suddenly my mouth is watering as the events of yesterday begin to intrude on my waking mind. Visions of a very, very sexy yet in some ways an equally scary man in leather and his luscious companion float in my mind’s eye. What in the world have I gotten myself into? I open my eyes to find myself in the luxurious room I was allotted the night before and I can’t help but smile.
The remainder of an odd dream lingers and I wonder at the welcome new ending to an old nightmare. Whoever she is, she is welcome to join my dreams anytime, particularly if she has that kind of effect on my all too frequent nightmares. Before I can contemplate it further I hear a sharp knock at the door and the one word invitation, "Food."
I find some clothes and quickly dress. I’m not sure what the routine is around here and my stomach is already growling its displeasure at the missed meal of the night before.
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Theta is in a good mood this morning, not exactly a surprise there. So far he has always been happier when he and Rose spend special time together and again I am happy that she is willing to give him something I cannot. As his thoughts turn to breakfast I begin preparing. This morning I think some bangers, bacon, beans, fried bread and fried eggs, with a side of fruit and juice. Theta joins me, taking up the task of making coffee and tea; early on he was always complaining about how I never could get it right and finally he gave up having me do it completely. I know it’s really more that he just enjoys the exercise of making the beverages rather than my lack of skill, as, when he is in a hurry or just not in the mood, he will drink what I make without complaint.
Just because he’s not particularly domestic doesn’t mean he doesn’t enjoy good food and I try to ensure that there is a wide variety of things that might be of interest, including his favorite fruit, bananas. I found out a long time ago that he doesn’t always eat what he should unless coaxed a bit and he is even worse in that department in this incarnation. It is rare for he and Rose to sit down to a proper meal but this morning I agree with him. It will be a better welcome to our new companion to have breakfast. It will help to put Jack a bit more at ease with the way things run around here.
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I finish getting the coffee brewing and figure it’s time to let the others know foods on its way. First I go to wake Rose, I know it will take her a bit longer to get moving. Then I head past Jack’s door and with a quick rap on the door let him know food’s available. As I expected, Jack is first into the kitchen, still putting the finishing touches on his attire, sleek black pants and a white tee shirt. I can’t help making the amused comment to Verity, ‘I see you showed Jack where to find some additional clothes. Was that before or after you went strolling in his dreams?’ I can tell she is pointedly ignoring me. Sometimes I think she enjoys stocking the wardrobes as much as some of our other companions have enjoyed shopping. Looking Jack over I can’t deny the man is attractive. I just hope that his libido doesn’t make me regret inviting him to stay, but I trust Verity with my life and I can count the companions we have traveled with on one hand to whom she was willing to show her mentally projected humanoid form. She didn’t tell him her name, but the fact that she would appear to him at all tells me there is something very special about ‘Captain’ Jack Harkness.
‘You wouldn’t care to explain what it is that makes Harkness so special would you?’ Her projected feeling of amusement tells me there will be no explanations forthcoming. Much as I wonder what has her so interested in the man I know it is a useless effort to try to get her to tell me something when she is unwilling to do so. I am sure eventually it will be crystal clear what makes him unique enough for her to give him such special treatment.
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I should have known he would notice. Very little escapes my Theta. The thing is I can’t say for certain why I chose to interfere in Jack’s dream; it just seemed to be the right thing to do. Theta is right though in that there is definitely more than meets the eye with Jack. I don’t make a habit of wandering around companions’ minds but there is something about Jack I do trust, yet something that I can’t quite figure out… It is like a thought just out of reach and I have a feeling it is something very important.
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After the Doctor’s brusque knock I follow my nose to the kitchen and find far more food than I expected for just three people and a whole lot better than military rations. Oh fresh fruit, haven’t seen that since I arrived in London, well other than that banana the Doctor swapped for my blaster. The Doctor is leaning causally next to the counter, legs crossed at the ankles and a cup of what smells like Earl Gray tea in his hand. At first glance it looks like he is wearing the exact same thing as he was yesterday. Then I notice that the jumper is now beautiful navy that brings out the blue in his eyes. He definitely is looking almost as delicious as the food. The smell of fresh coffee is enticing and so I head for that first. “Morning, Doctor!”
“Captain,” he replies and nods over toward the food. “Dig in, plates above, utensils below, cups above the pots and milk and cream in the fridge,” he rattles off concisely. As I collect my utensils and food I check out the room. It is not overly large, and directly opposite the doorway is the counter where the food is currently laid out, to the left end of the counter is a fridge and on the right end is what looks like a microwave and a toaster. The coffee and teapots are next to the fridge and on the right wall near the door is a compact sink. To left of the entrance is a functional round wooden table that will comfortably fit four, over all, a nice well-lit space. I also notice as I go to sit at the table that on the wall with the door is a painting much like the one in my room and I wonder if it too converts to a monitor when needed. As I move to the table I can feel the Doctor watching me and I wonder what thoughts are running though his mind. I notice also that the chairs are positioned so that everyone at the table would be able to see both the painting that I suspect is a monitor, and anyone coming in the doorway. I know instinctively that that isn’t an accident any more than that there is enough room for everyone to be able to both sit and exit from the table without disturbing anyone else or that the sink is so near the door. The room was definitely designed by someone that was security conscious and someone who knew the value of being able to exit and enter a room with the minimum of fuss. Whoever the Doctor is he’s definitely had some kind of military experience. Even as I take all this in I know that what chair I take will be noted by my host. With that in mind I take the chair that I figured would be to the right of the one most likely to be taken by the Doctor. As I sit down I noticed him nod ever so slightly and know that I have chosen the one he expected.
No sooner do I sit down then in comes Rose and the Doctor who had been quietly assessing my actions vanishes to be replaced by a man obviously in love. The smile he beams at Rose is one of happy indulgence and his attention is now entirely centered on her. Can’t say I blame him, Rose sleep tussled and half awake is even more beautiful than the self-assured young woman I met the previous day. I can’t but wonder whose bed she slept in last night and regret it wasn’t mine.
Chapter 07 - Shopping? Moving Forward Index 1
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Jack looks around wondering, how did I get here? I look around and see my mates from school and one by one I watch in horror as they dissolve into animated corpses each meeting their doom in gruesome manners. Their hands reaching out to claim me as their own, “Mummy, mummy are you my mummy?” they chant and I run from them till there is no longer breath within me.
I hide in the shelter of a cliff, hide from the marching horrors that can’t find me, and so wander aimlessly looking for me. As I feel the bony prod of a spectral finger I can’t help but jump. I twist away from its presence as I see its flesh stripped hand reach for me. It is James, the cheerful sprite with whom I caroused as a boy, his hollowed out orbs seem to focus on upon me accusingly. “Why did you kill me? I trusted you! You were my best friend yet you killed me.”
I stumble backward, dodging away from his reaching hands, “No, I… I didn’t… James please believe me, I would never have harmed you!”
“Liar! You seduced me, convinced me to follow you, and join up with the agency. Do you remember how I died?”
Visions of James screaming as the savage natives of a small planet in the middle of nowhere drag him to a post in the center of their village assault me. I watch again as they slowly peel skin from his body in thin strips for the ‘crime’ of stepping on their holy burial grounds. His piteous screams echoing off the nearby cliffs until finally unconsciousness claims him, only for me to see them cauterize his flayed flesh to ensure that he doesn’t die before proper atonement has been made to their gods. I watch in terror as they revive him time and again till his heart fails him, knowing all the while I am to be next. “No!!” I scream over and over trying to stop them but still they continue. “Please stop, please…we didn’t mean to please… We didn’t know. No…” I scream till I no longer have voice but still they continue.
Bright so bright! I shield my eyes as a golden cloud obscures the nightmarish visions of my friend’s death. The cloud drifts toward me and I sigh as feel its warm comfort wrap around me. Peace seeps in every place it touches me and my pounding heart slows. I stare in wonder as the cloud coalesces into the form of a beautiful woman. Long brown hair flows about her shoulders, a pretty yellow sundress and bare feet making her seem very young. But one look into her eyes tells a far different story; they speak of great age and at the same time of timelessness.
"Who are you?" I ask in amazement. I know this isn't someone I have met before. I would surely remember someone this lovely, yet at the same time she seems very familiar.
Her response is a smile and in beautiful voice like that of an angel she replies, "A friend, now rest, Jack, sleep."
"I..." Even as I begin to speak the golden girl begins to return to a gaseous state and I can no longer keep my dream eyes open.
I awake to an odd humming sound and I try to place where I am, when I am.
In the air is the smell of spice and honey and suddenly my mouth is watering as the events of yesterday begin to intrude on my waking mind. Visions of a very, very sexy yet in some ways an equally scary man in leather and his luscious companion float in my mind’s eye. What in the world have I gotten myself into? I open my eyes to find myself in the luxurious room I was allotted the night before and I can’t help but smile.
The remainder of an odd dream lingers and I wonder at the welcome new ending to an old nightmare. Whoever she is, she is welcome to join my dreams anytime, particularly if she has that kind of effect on my all too frequent nightmares. Before I can contemplate it further I hear a sharp knock at the door and the one word invitation, "Food."
I find some clothes and quickly dress. I’m not sure what the routine is around here and my stomach is already growling its displeasure at the missed meal of the night before.
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Theta is in a good mood this morning, not exactly a surprise there. So far he has always been happier when he and Rose spend special time together and again I am happy that she is willing to give him something I cannot. As his thoughts turn to breakfast I begin preparing. This morning I think some bangers, bacon, beans, fried bread and fried eggs, with a side of fruit and juice. Theta joins me, taking up the task of making coffee and tea; early on he was always complaining about how I never could get it right and finally he gave up having me do it completely. I know it’s really more that he just enjoys the exercise of making the beverages rather than my lack of skill, as, when he is in a hurry or just not in the mood, he will drink what I make without complaint.
Just because he’s not particularly domestic doesn’t mean he doesn’t enjoy good food and I try to ensure that there is a wide variety of things that might be of interest, including his favorite fruit, bananas. I found out a long time ago that he doesn’t always eat what he should unless coaxed a bit and he is even worse in that department in this incarnation. It is rare for he and Rose to sit down to a proper meal but this morning I agree with him. It will be a better welcome to our new companion to have breakfast. It will help to put Jack a bit more at ease with the way things run around here.
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I finish getting the coffee brewing and figure it’s time to let the others know foods on its way. First I go to wake Rose, I know it will take her a bit longer to get moving. Then I head past Jack’s door and with a quick rap on the door let him know food’s available. As I expected, Jack is first into the kitchen, still putting the finishing touches on his attire, sleek black pants and a white tee shirt. I can’t help making the amused comment to Verity, ‘I see you showed Jack where to find some additional clothes. Was that before or after you went strolling in his dreams?’ I can tell she is pointedly ignoring me. Sometimes I think she enjoys stocking the wardrobes as much as some of our other companions have enjoyed shopping. Looking Jack over I can’t deny the man is attractive. I just hope that his libido doesn’t make me regret inviting him to stay, but I trust Verity with my life and I can count the companions we have traveled with on one hand to whom she was willing to show her mentally projected humanoid form. She didn’t tell him her name, but the fact that she would appear to him at all tells me there is something very special about ‘Captain’ Jack Harkness.
‘You wouldn’t care to explain what it is that makes Harkness so special would you?’ Her projected feeling of amusement tells me there will be no explanations forthcoming. Much as I wonder what has her so interested in the man I know it is a useless effort to try to get her to tell me something when she is unwilling to do so. I am sure eventually it will be crystal clear what makes him unique enough for her to give him such special treatment.
----------
I should have known he would notice. Very little escapes my Theta. The thing is I can’t say for certain why I chose to interfere in Jack’s dream; it just seemed to be the right thing to do. Theta is right though in that there is definitely more than meets the eye with Jack. I don’t make a habit of wandering around companions’ minds but there is something about Jack I do trust, yet something that I can’t quite figure out… It is like a thought just out of reach and I have a feeling it is something very important.
----------
After the Doctor’s brusque knock I follow my nose to the kitchen and find far more food than I expected for just three people and a whole lot better than military rations. Oh fresh fruit, haven’t seen that since I arrived in London, well other than that banana the Doctor swapped for my blaster. The Doctor is leaning causally next to the counter, legs crossed at the ankles and a cup of what smells like Earl Gray tea in his hand. At first glance it looks like he is wearing the exact same thing as he was yesterday. Then I notice that the jumper is now beautiful navy that brings out the blue in his eyes. He definitely is looking almost as delicious as the food. The smell of fresh coffee is enticing and so I head for that first. “Morning, Doctor!”
“Captain,” he replies and nods over toward the food. “Dig in, plates above, utensils below, cups above the pots and milk and cream in the fridge,” he rattles off concisely. As I collect my utensils and food I check out the room. It is not overly large, and directly opposite the doorway is the counter where the food is currently laid out, to the left end of the counter is a fridge and on the right end is what looks like a microwave and a toaster. The coffee and teapots are next to the fridge and on the right wall near the door is a compact sink. To left of the entrance is a functional round wooden table that will comfortably fit four, over all, a nice well-lit space. I also notice as I go to sit at the table that on the wall with the door is a painting much like the one in my room and I wonder if it too converts to a monitor when needed. As I move to the table I can feel the Doctor watching me and I wonder what thoughts are running though his mind. I notice also that the chairs are positioned so that everyone at the table would be able to see both the painting that I suspect is a monitor, and anyone coming in the doorway. I know instinctively that that isn’t an accident any more than that there is enough room for everyone to be able to both sit and exit from the table without disturbing anyone else or that the sink is so near the door. The room was definitely designed by someone that was security conscious and someone who knew the value of being able to exit and enter a room with the minimum of fuss. Whoever the Doctor is he’s definitely had some kind of military experience. Even as I take all this in I know that what chair I take will be noted by my host. With that in mind I take the chair that I figured would be to the right of the one most likely to be taken by the Doctor. As I sit down I noticed him nod ever so slightly and know that I have chosen the one he expected.
No sooner do I sit down then in comes Rose and the Doctor who had been quietly assessing my actions vanishes to be replaced by a man obviously in love. The smile he beams at Rose is one of happy indulgence and his attention is now entirely centered on her. Can’t say I blame him, Rose sleep tussled and half awake is even more beautiful than the self-assured young woman I met the previous day. I can’t but wonder whose bed she slept in last night and regret it wasn’t mine.
Chapter 07 - Shopping? Moving Forward Index 1