[016]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is back to his usual self! one would hardly know he's just spent almost two weeks as a woman since now he is not only male again but looking much more like he did before the accident that caused his amnesia. he's even wearing his own 27th century clothing--he's made a stop back on Gondovan and found the personal belongings in his hospital

Comments

[oliverplus]

Sorta. Did I tell you the Doctor I 've got a merger now?

[oliverplus]

[shakes his head] It's all right. I had it coming. [takes another drink. clearly this conversation requires it] I mean...I was spending all my time on the Plane, you know? She'd say something about "yesterday," and I wouldn't remember because it was weeks ago. She put up with way too much. Especially since I never really... [hesitates. glances at Jamie. then stalls by picking up the bottle and refilling his glass with the same purplish mixture]

Chloe is...she's why it wasn't gonna work with Anna. Chloe's the most amazing girl on Earth, Jamie. [his gaze grows a little distant, his expression slipping into a wistful smile as he talks] She's kind and caring and smart and pretty and has great taste in music, too! And...she's just fantastic. Amazing! And she was my girlfriend--before I left with the Doctor. [his expression darkens a little, growing more wistful than fond] She stuck with me, too, when I got back the first time. I... [hesitates, looking away] I miss her more than anything.

[takes a long drink from his

[bonnypiperlad]

[Jamie reacts to it by placing his hand on Oliver's shoulder in sympathy, both for his breakup with Anna and his indecision about Chloe - but his reply is based entirely on the latter.] And ye miss her.

Look, why not go back then? If she stood by ye the first time, maybe she'd be willing to do so again. Or at least maybe she'd be willing to talk to ye about it.

[oliverplus]

[turns to Jamie, grateful for that] Oh, she would do! I know she would. Especially if the Doctor actually got the TARDIS to cooperate enough to get me back around the right time. [smiles wryly]

The reason I'm not sure...well, it's complicated, Jamie. [shakes his head, reluctant to have this conversation, but he really could do with a friend to talk this out with right now, and he knows it] It's...it's everything that's happened. I'm not the same anymore. There's the Puppeteer, and...and the Plane. If I go back to Earth...how could I go back to that life? And...what would I be bringing with me?

[bonnypiperlad]

[Jamie pours out a bit more of the very fizzy alcohol for himself, considering this.] You're worried that the same thing would happen to ye with Chloe. Something would happen on the Plane and you'd forget things like ye did with Anna.

Or...is it that ye think you'd hurt her?

[oliverplus]

[frowns] Not...exactly like that. I think it'd be easier with Chloe.

But...yeah. [sighs, taking another drink. he isn't sure if Jamie meant he'd hurt her emotionally or physically, but both worries are true. the Plane and the Puppeteer still hang in his thoughts any time he considers going home]

[bonnypiperlad]

[He had meant both, actually, but he thinks Oliver gets that well enough. He's quiet for a moment while he takes a drink as well, thinking. Finally he sets the glass down, and looks over at his friend.]

When Victoria left, I'd not wanted her to go, but the Doctor said it was her choice to do so. Should it not be Chloe's choice, too?

[oliverplus]

[turns to Jamie in surprise at that question. he'd never thought about it like that, and you just said the magic word, Jamie. if there's one thing the Doctor drilled into him over their time together, it's how there's always a choice]

You mean...go talk to her? See what she thinks? [he looks slightly terrified at the idea]

[bonnypiperlad]

[Jamie just gives him a look.] Did I not just say as much?

[Not exactly, but that was the implication.] Look, Oliver, if she's as wonderful as ye say she is, she at least deserves to know what happened to ye. And then she can make up her own mind what she wants to do from there.

[oliverplus]

[immediately] She is! [because nobody doubts how amazing Chloe is. not ever]

But... [pauses, telling himself he's thinking about it. really, he's looking for an excuse because the thought scares him so much] Jamie, how could she even believe me? If I just showed up spouting off about the Doctor and travelling and--this place! She'd think I'd gone mental!

[bonnypiperlad]

She might, at that. But at least she'd know ye were alive.

[oliverplus]

[now that he can't argue with. he's quiet for a long moment. then he sighs]

You're right. But...I know she'd tell me to stay.

[bonnypiperlad]

[He's a little confused by the statement, being under the impression that Oliver wants that as well - at least, at some point when he's done traveling with the Doctor.]

Is that such a bad thing, Oliver?

[oliverplus]

I... [Jamie's right--it's what he wants more than anything. but it's also something he's terrified of. he looks down, ashamed of being so afraid] It's not bad for me. But if I hurt her... [shakes his head]

[bonnypiperlad]

You'd not be able to forgive yourself. [Jamie knows a bit how that feels, and he gives Oliver a sympathetic look.]

Look, I'll not say I know a lot about this sort of thing, but it seems to me that ye already regret leaving her in the first place. If ye have a chance to make things right, ye should at least think about going.

[oliverplus]

[gives Jamie a grateful look for understanding. he nods at that last statement, though he still looks just as worried] Yeah...I know. I will do! [trying to sound optimistic] And it's not like I have to decide yet anyway, right? [smiles weakly]

Hey...thanks. [gestures at the bottle] Looks like there's a glass left in there, if you want it.