ɪ ᴡᴀs ᴘʀᴏᴍɪsᴇᴅ ᴛᴇᴀ!

    The rest of that night, after leaving John’s place, passed by in a bit of a blur.     She remembered going home, and meeting her friends not long after — a few     of which were actually waiting in her condo by the time Irene returned — to     head out && play a couple rounds of pool at their favourite pub just down town.     She remembered having a drink, and then a few more, then a couple more…     But not much after that. Damn, and she had class the next day too, didn’t she?     Lecture. At least the blonde could sleep through that. ❝John!❞ Irene called out,     waving the other to the very back of the lecture hall once she spotted him enter     inside. ❝Was havin’ a wild night, last night, I guess. Ain’t rememberin’ much,     but it’s got to have been,❞ she began, her way of explaining why she was     wearing dark sunglasses inside. ❝Be tryin’ my hardest to stay up, but if I’m     fallin’ asleep, do me a favour? Don’t be wakin’ me up, yeah? — What were     you doin’ last night, fella? Anythin’ fun at all? Workin’ on your car?❞

    Much to her surprise, the brunette flapper dreamt vividly that night — But not of a     war, and the many loud parties she’d attended to keep her mind off the war, and the     many more ( much, much more ) she’d attended to keep her mind off of her brother’s     death. This time, Irene dreamt of worlds ; Worlds where creatures with three heads     and two noses lived. Or worlds where the water was tinged purple. Silly dreams, but     then again up until a little while ago she’d thought the possibility of travelling the stars     was silly. And now? Now, she was about to go see them! Purple water didn’t seem     quite so far fetched now, did it? The dreams left her in a good mood, and the very     next morning, she found herself calling out for The Doctor, shuffling her way towards     ( and nearly getting lost, until the box — the TARDIS, rather — began to act as though     she were leading Irene towards where the other was. )  ❝Morn’, Doc’,❞ she mumbled,     cringing at how chipper The Doctor seemed, so early in the day. ❝That for me?❞ When     he nodded, the flapper quickly reached for a scone, happily devouring it && lifting a     cup of hot liquid to her lips… Before nearly spitting it out in shock. Tea? Who had tea     in the morning? ❝I’m hatin’ to be a bother, Doc’ — An’ especially ‘cause the breakfast     is just swell as can be, but… Got any coffee, fella?❞

    Waving a dismissive hand at his question about Nyx, — in part because she didn’t     much care for the other goddess’ biting words ( that Dionysus was unsteady &&     riddled with gross commitment issues ), and in part because she didn’t remember     what else the other had said — the blonde answered simply ; ❝Walked off before     she could be finished speakin’, didn’t I?❞ Rolling about on the bed, so that she was     facing the messenger god, Dionysus let out a sharp laugh as the other spoke,     smiling brightly ( well, not too brightly… the lights were already bright enough, she     reckoned ) and shrugging pale shoulders. ❝Ain’t got a clue what you’re talkin’ ‘bout,     Hermes!❞ she exclaimed, reaching out for another sip of the tea he’d brought for her.     ❝Ain’t like I entered my own personal wine into the competition, and it ain’t like I’m     only bringin’ two bottles down with me, so that the humans can bicker over it all. —     Oh but I ain’t wantin’ to go now… Still soberin’ up, you know. You got any funny     stories to tell me ‘bout your deliveries this time, Hermes?❞

He should have let her sleep.  Not only had one Irene Pearce consumed more than an entire bottle of wine ( in secret, of course, because The Doctor would’ve had her head for drinking in his ship ) to herself that night, — or was it day time, by now, and the brunette simply hadn’t noticed? — but she’d been having a posilutely wonderful dream. ; Her brother, Eric, was alive and well, and she was in the process of taking him to get his first drink at a pub. The Doctor was there too ( a somewhat less exciting development, because… ), he was nagging Irene as usual. ‘Be careful how much your pour down his throat!’ to which she’d responded a quick ‘I am careful!’ though Irene was smiling. Would have liked The Doctor, Eric. But now she was being roused from sleep by an incessant calling of her name, and Irene was raising herself from her bed and shouting ; ❝I’m comin’, I’m comin’!❞

Come and meet… Who? Was this another one of his friends coming to visit? The remnants of the wine still clouding her judgement, Irene could have sworn she’d heard a ‘J’ in there. Jack? Was it the handsome lollygagger she’d met once or twice before? — No. A rather angry looking ginger girl.

❝I was sleepin’, Doc’,❞ the flapper snapped, thankful she hadn’t changed out of her clothes from earlier before deciding to take a nap. Still, it wasn’t like him to bring in friends without some sort of warning, was it? With Jack Harkness, The Doctor had given his companion a near half hour speech on the dangers of falling for the other’s ; “Hello. I’m Captain Jack Harkness. And who are you?” But this time? Nothing. And that was surprising enough for Irene to take notice.

What else seemed interesting… Was how closed off the ginger girl seemed. How she seemed to not want to give up any part of herself — Even though The Doctor must’ve known her name. Reminded the flapper of someone, didn’t it? Someone besides herself, that she couldn’t place a finger on.

❝Swell to meet you, doll,❞ Irene finally spoke, smiling and stretching out a hand for the newcomer to shake it, hoping she didn’t belong to some alien race that took offence to that… ( Seemed human, so that was comforting, to say the least. ) ❝Ain’t manage to be catchin’ your name though. What are you callin’ yourself again? Irene Peace, it’s just Jake to be meetin’ you.❞ She turned to The Doctor now, frowning and reaching out to fix a stray strand of hair on the top of his head, before placing both hands on her hips and staring, rather expectantly, at the Time Lord. ❝Mind tellin’ me what’s goin’ on?❞

She was angry, but not angry enough to see how Wary the Doctor was about her stepping into her ship. What did he think she was going to do, reveal her master plan to kill him and whatever companion he had? That would be foolish, Jenny thought running a hand across the console. Especially because in here, she was essentially trapped unless both he and his TARDIS agreed to let her go. She felt a wave of nausea at his words, and, had she been alone she would have doubled over, as if all the breathe had been knocked from her lungs. Since she wasn’t,  she just shook her head slowly, a cruel yet sad smile coming to her face. ❝ A monster yeah, I know what I am, no need to sugar coat it. ❞ Breathe, breathe. She told herself that ever day but somehow, it hurt even more coming from this man, although he didn’t even say the full word. She could guess though, as her brows knitted to look up at the other Time Lord. ❝ You’re an idiot, y’know?” 

And that was all she said, instead turning to look at the brunette, her seemingly permanent frown still on her face. She didn’t make another move for a minute, staying silent before a slender hand reach out and shake the others, looking uncomfortable with the whole ordeal. But it was polite to shake hands when meeting someone new, wasn’t it? and while she might not be polite to the Doctor, she wouldn’t be rude to someone who had yet to do anything to sway her opinion of them one way or another. ❝ Jenny, just.. just Jenny. ❞ She turned towards her dad, raising an eyebrow at him. ❝ Haven’t told her about me? Makes sense I suppose, no one likes having a monster for a daughter. I can go wait outside while you talk about me, make things a lot less awkward. ❞ She doesn’t think it’ll work, but hey, if she gets outside she’ll be gone before he can even turn his back. Yeah he might be her dad, but well, she’s angry enough to want to stab the asshole that did this to her. Too angry. Because if she goes she’ll rush off and get herself killed, this time for good. If she stays well, she plans to ask the Doctor if they can see her, see Donna. As long as she remembers her that is, because she knows she might not. She had only known Donna for a few hours ( ?? ) maybe longer. ❝ What’s her name? ❞ Jenny asked suddenly, looking up from where she had been staring at the console. ❝ She has to have a name right? ❞ She felt just the slightest bit uncomfortable calling such a beautiful piece of technology, one which she always believed to be alive, just the TARDIS, or she. It felt like insulting her somehow.

The strong smell of alcohol filled his nostrils ( keener than those of humans ) and the Doctor knew right away why Irene had taken so long to come and meet them. He frowned, but he didn’t say anything as she shook Jenny’s hand, and soon enough he had a new reason to frown.  ❝Jenny, please,❞ he said in a soft voice, as though he believed it would keep Irene -- who was only two feet away from him at that very moment -- from hearing what he said, which of course it did not, the Doctor stopping his daughter just before she left the room. ❝What I said -- what I almost said -- it was wrong. You -- Jenny, you are not a monster, and I am not ashamed of you. I’m sad for you. Because I know, I know, how it feels to carry the weight of somebody else’s death on your shoulders, how all those lives you take follow you around, day and night.❞ He glanced over at Irene. This was a subject he didn’t usually care to talk about in front of his companion, but he didn’t think he had a choice, today. ❝I’ve done things, Jenny. I’ve had to make terrible choices, choices I’m not proud of, and I see the faces. Every day, I see the faces of the ones I’ve lost. If one of us is a monster, Jenny ... it’s me. What was done to you, it was monstrous. Of course it was. But you -- you are not what was done to you. You’ve got choices now, too, Jenny. You can choose to stay angry -- at me, at the Master -- and spend your whole life consumed by your pain and your hatred. You can choose to keep being what the Master made you, to allow who you were to define who you become. Or,❞ he sighed and took her hands in his, doing his very best to be reassuring. ❝Or, you can make a fresh start, find your own place in the universe, and become the person you want to be. I can help you with that, Jenny, if you’ll let me.❞

    ❝Happy for me?❞ Dionysus repeated, wrinkling her nose at the messenger god,     all the while raising the cup of tea to her lips and taking a slow sip. The tea was     warm, and soothing, and… Had he sweetened it with honey, just as the goddess     of wine enjoyed? ❝Why would you be bein’ happy for me?❞ Blue eyes peered     cautiously out from underneath her hair, a single brow raising in curiosity… Before     Dionysus fell back down onto her bed, laughing loudly all the while. ❝You’re bein’     happy for me — That I sent her away ?! I told her I ain’t want nothin’ to do with     someone who’s actin’ so fickle!❞ It was true ; While the blonde goddess jumped     from one tryst to another, she was entirely faithful while in a… Relationship, if that     was what they could indeed be called. ❝This tea’s just swell, Hermes! I’ll be sure     to be requestin’ it more often from you!❞ she exclaimed, stretching out on the bed     and holding out her cup for the other to take it, lest she spill all over herself. ❝So     I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout goin’ down to the surface today… There’s a wine festival     that I’ve just been dyin’ to see! Can you believe the humans are sayin’ that theirs     is the best in the world?! — Do you feel like comin’ down with me, today? I know     you usually got lots of work to be doin’… But everyone’s restin’ today, ain’t they?❞

    Had half a mind to just give him the parts he needed, didn’t she, so excited     to see the car when fully restored was Irene. But still, she reckoned ( just     as much as the blonde’s BMW was to her ), the Impala was a point of pride     to the other, and he wanted to be the one to come up with the money. ❝Well     I’ll be just dyin’ to see how she looks when you’re done! Oh but I should be     gettin’ home now. Got a couple o’ friends comin’ to see me.❞ Giving John     a quick wave, Irene turned to walk back towards her car, only managing to     take a few steps before suddenly whipping around. ❝Oh! I was goin’ to tell     you, I’m havin’ a little party at my place this Saturday. If you’re wantin’ to     come, it’d be swell to see you there. All I’m askin’ is just don’t go blowin’     up my kitchen or somethin’. Top floor, 2900 Holly Ave. See you there?❞

    ❝As he should!❞ Persephone giggled, practically skipping over     to hand the messenger god a cup of tea, and inviting him to sit     down at the table with her. ❝Do you think me so dreadfully silly     that I don’t terribly know my own husband, Hermes? I know he     keeps you there for horrid hours on end asking about me!❞ &&     there’s a pause, the ginger wrinkling her nose before continuing     on ; ❝I would awfully love it if you could tell my dear, in addition     to delivering him my letter, that I would adore to see him at     Dionysus’ party! — Will you be attending, this time?❞

    For a moment there — and perhaps only a single moment — Irene allowed her     self to be impressed by The Doctor. ( Though she’d never say it out loud, the     flapper. Hadn’t been travelling with him long… Only met him a month or so ago,     in fact, but already the flapper could tell ; The Time Lord’s ego wasn’t in need of     much inflating. ) But all that disappeared when he was forced to admit that it wasn’t     him who’d designed her bedroom, but the TARDIS. ❝Well you do have swell taste     then,❞ she began, a smirk tugging on the edges of painted lips. ❝In ships. I could’a     used the help decoratin’ my place when I first got it.❞ A pause, before she added ;     ❝Well I’ll be thankin’ you for the good thoughts, then. Say, you ain’t mindin’ if I’m     gettin’ some sleep, are you, fella? Ain’t too sure if you — what was that word you     were usin’? — aliens, sleep. But I’d best be gettin’ some. Good night, Doc’.❞ &&     without even waiting for an answer, Irene was closing the door to her room.

    Irene did have to laugh at the way John seemed so offended by what his     classmates had been saying, shaking her head and reaching out to pat him     comfortingly on the shoulder — all the while honking her horn at some “idiot”     ( a word the blonde wasn’t afraid to scream out the window ) who’d nearly     cut her off on the road. ❝Name’s Harry Saxon. Black hair, likes comics? I’m     sure he’s just jokin’ ‘round,❞ she assured him, turning onto John’s street.     ❝We’ve been friends since primary, and — Oh wow, look at her!❞ Irene     exclaimed, slowing her own car down to a stop in front of a light blue 1957     Impala, blue eyes gleaming at the sight ; Beat up, and in desperate need     of help, but it would be stunning when fixed up. ❝Coat of paint and she’d     be sparklin’ somethin’ wonderful! You know whose car that is?❞

    As out of her mind ( read ; hungover — because she’d infused a generous helping of     ambrosia into all the wine for the party last night ) as Dionysus was, the blonde goddess     still knew the very moment Hermes stepped foot into her villa. Always came, didn’t     he? There’s a soft groan when the other knocked on her door, perhaps not pronounced     enough for him to hear, now that she thought about it, and a much louder one when he     stepped into her room and began singing for her to wake. ❝Mm.. They can be findin’     inspiration by themselves for a bit!❞ she shot back, pulling the covers over her head     to block out any light. But soon enough ; ❝What kind of tea are you bringin’ me this     time…?❞ Dionysus mumbled, rolling herself up into a sitting position and holding     both pale arms out towards Hermes. ❝Pass it here? Come an’ sit. Ugh.,. My head’s     hurtin’ somethin’ awful… What is it you were doin’ last night, Hermes..? I tell you Nyx     was attendin’, last night? Tryin’ to make amends, && sayin’ she was missin’ me.❞

    Had to resist the urge — and it was such a great urge, wasn’t it? — to tease The     Doctor about his rather poor excuse for a music room. For a moment, he’d spoken     the words, and she’d grown rather excited! A music room? It must have meant     pianos, and saxophones, and clarinets! … But no. A single triangle, and Irene’s     nose wrinkled in amusement. At the mention of the Time Lord’s second library     though, the brunette did speak ; ❝Only books with the word orange in the name?     What are you tryin’ to do, Doc’? Find a word that rhymes? ‘Cause you ain’t goin’     to!❞ She did have to smile at the sight of her room ; Decorated perfectly in style,     with a stunning divan and everything! ❝Oh it’s just the bee’s knees, Doc’! Were     you the one decoratin’ this?❞ It was so lovely, she’d even chosen to forget his     slip up. ❝If you were, I’ll have to be givin’ your tastes more credit than I thought!❞

    ❝Orchard Street?❞ the blonde repeated, nodding her understanding     and revving the car into action. — Not too quickly though. Darling as     her car was, it was still old. ❝Yes, that fella. We were neckin’, and     he was bein’ a little too careful, if you’re gettin’ what I’m meanin’?     Ain’t been a delicate woman for ages now… Much to my mother’s     dismay.❞ There’s a short pause, before Irene grinned, eager to find     out how she was faring in the bets some of John’s other classmates     had taken. ❝By the way… You make that Craig faint yet? I got a drink     on it, you see. Bet a friend of mine that you’d be makin’ him faint     before your first exam, and I’m really hopin’ you have.❞

    ❝Oh Hermes, welcome! Yes, I’ve a little message for     you to bring to my darling husband!❞ A bright smile     slipped across Persephone’s lips, as she hurriedly     welcomed the messenger god inside. ❝Would you so     terribly care to stay for tea first? Zeus knows my dear     husband won’t offer you any. The least I can do. I do     know how dreadfully upset he becomes at this time.❞

          ❝ I didn’t come here for anything other than bloody directions. ❞           Jenny muttered, crossing her arms over her chest, and it was the           truth. She had come to this town to look for a new home, someplace           she could curl up and stay for a decade or so. But then there it           was, and she couldn’t help but stare. She wanted to run up to it,           to run her hands along the wood, but she refrained from it, instead           placing a hand on the wooden exterior once they reached it. She           hesitated however, knowing full well that if she entered the ship,           and she was wrong, that it would be a death sentence for her.           What else did she have to lose though?           She stepped through the doorway, and every thing was different.           No bloodstains, no red interior, it was hard for her  to both look at the room they           were in, and keep an eye on the Time Lord behind her. ❝ Trust me, if I had           known you were here, I would have run as fast as I could in the other           direction. ❞ Nothing against him, well, no, it was everything           against him, but for now, she had been content with being alive.           She realized that most of the things coming out of her mouth were           hostile, but it was her defense mechanism when she was afraid. She           gave a small shrug, trying not to show how in awe of the place she was.           A frown made it’s way onto her face, and she paused for a minute, trying           to work out her thoughts. 

          ❝ What happened to her? Donna, I mean.. ❞           she asked, head turned so he couldn’t see the flurry of emotions           running across her face, but moving around the room, pretending           to take everything in so she could get almost as far away from           him as possible. Coming in here at all was a risk, she didn’t want           to add another one to the pile, but everything was so.. different,           including him, and she had millions of questions.           ❝ Who was he? The Time Lord I was with, who            was he? ❞ She needed to know, not because it would give her           closure, or anything stupid like that, but because when she left,           and she would leave, once this man realized she couldn’t be fixed,           well There had to be some way to kill a Time Lord right? she thought,           fists clenching at her side in anger at whoever he was, but just           because she had maybe accepted that her dad hadn’t been           the one to hurt her did not mean that she would trust him, not yet.

     He held his breath as Jenny approached the TARDIS, and again as she      stepped through the door and into the console room. If she did, indeed,       have some sort of nefarious purpose, if she had been sent as a spy or a      trap, this moment would be a victory for her, and she’d be sure to gloat      about how he’d lost, how his trusting nature had been his downfall once      again, just as the Master was so fond of doing. But nothing. Not a word.      Well, actually, there were lots of words -- most of them pieced together      into questions -- but none of them about the Doctor’s foolishness, or her      own plans to destroy him. He felt himself relaxing in her presence, just      slightly, as it began to appear that he might have been right about her.