2 Torchwood and 2 Doctor Who drabbles: Fire Quartet
Author: rustydog
Rating: PG
Description: Four drabbles on the theme of "fire." Written for and previously posted on writercon100 and tw100, but I always intended for them to come together in this collection.
(Previously: Wind Quartet and Earth Quartet)
Fire Quartet
1.
Title: Electric
Fandom: Torchwood (2x12)
Characters: Alice, Emily, Jack
Summary: Alice Guppy loved electricity almost as much as she loved killing aliens.
Alice Guppy's file noted, “No formal education” but “innate ability with machinery, electric devices particularly.” Alice's love of electricity rivaled her love of killing aliens. But during her quest to make a gun that fired lightning bolts, Emily and Jack found her crumpled, singed, no heartbeat.
Later, Emily insisted Jack share his revival technique; Alice insisted Emily practice on her.
“Swear you'll avoid electricity. Two weeks,” Emily bargained.
“Now how can I do that,” purred Alice, “when we're all made of electricity?” She ran her finger lightly across Emily's wrist. Jack could almost feel the spark from across the room.
2.
Title: Dragon Vine
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Owen, Jack
Summary: Jack confirms two things Owen already knows about the botany lab.
The Hub smelt faintly of grilled meat, and Jack, looking distinctly uncomfortable inside his shirt, pulled Owen aside.
"Ah, there's a problem with one of the plants-"
"The dragon vine?"
"You know it's firebreathing?"
"Only around organisms with abnormally high body temperatures. And clothing usually masks the difference," Owen challenged.
"Owen-"
"Fine, I'll post a warning. Now let me see your burn, I doubt Ianto dressed it properly."
Jack sighed and began unbuttoning his shirt.
Owen took pity. "I can appreciate the pleasures of a romp in the greenery, you know. Just take care if there's a badger den nearby…”
3.
Title: Where There's Smoke
Fandom: Doctor Who (4x02)
Characters: Donna
Summary: It's not really the laundry that's the problem.
The purple gown is pretty, and it makes Donna feel pretty. She would have thought that with all this spaceman equipment aboard the TARDIS, she'd be able to clean a simple dress-but try as she might, Donna cannot wash out the smell of smoke and sulfur.
She holds the bodice to her face, inhales, and she's back in the city, running through the flood of anguished cries, the fog of ash, the rain of fire. Try as she might, she cannot scrub the dead from her mind.
Is this what it's always like in the Doctor's head?
4.
Title: Forbidden
Fandom: Doctor Who
Characters: Rose, Nine
Summary: Could this actually kill her?
So this is what it's like. Rose thinks her head may explode; she can feel the progress of the blood through her veins like molten metal. All she can see is flashes of light. Will this actually kill her? Maybe humans weren't meant to-
Suddenly it's over, and the relief is so sweet, she begins to laugh and can't stop. She notices the Doctor's arm supporting her as if she might fall. A glance, and he's grinning from ear to generous ear.
"Told you it was good!" he crows, picking up a bumpy golden fruit and offering it. "Want another?"
Rating: PG
Description: Four drabbles on the theme of "fire." Written for and previously posted on writercon100 and tw100, but I always intended for them to come together in this collection.
(Previously: Wind Quartet and Earth Quartet)
Fire Quartet
1.
Title: Electric
Fandom: Torchwood (2x12)
Characters: Alice, Emily, Jack
Summary: Alice Guppy loved electricity almost as much as she loved killing aliens.
Alice Guppy's file noted, “No formal education” but “innate ability with machinery, electric devices particularly.” Alice's love of electricity rivaled her love of killing aliens. But during her quest to make a gun that fired lightning bolts, Emily and Jack found her crumpled, singed, no heartbeat.
Later, Emily insisted Jack share his revival technique; Alice insisted Emily practice on her.
“Swear you'll avoid electricity. Two weeks,” Emily bargained.
“Now how can I do that,” purred Alice, “when we're all made of electricity?” She ran her finger lightly across Emily's wrist. Jack could almost feel the spark from across the room.
2.
Title: Dragon Vine
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Owen, Jack
Summary: Jack confirms two things Owen already knows about the botany lab.
The Hub smelt faintly of grilled meat, and Jack, looking distinctly uncomfortable inside his shirt, pulled Owen aside.
"Ah, there's a problem with one of the plants-"
"The dragon vine?"
"You know it's firebreathing?"
"Only around organisms with abnormally high body temperatures. And clothing usually masks the difference," Owen challenged.
"Owen-"
"Fine, I'll post a warning. Now let me see your burn, I doubt Ianto dressed it properly."
Jack sighed and began unbuttoning his shirt.
Owen took pity. "I can appreciate the pleasures of a romp in the greenery, you know. Just take care if there's a badger den nearby…”
3.
Title: Where There's Smoke
Fandom: Doctor Who (4x02)
Characters: Donna
Summary: It's not really the laundry that's the problem.
The purple gown is pretty, and it makes Donna feel pretty. She would have thought that with all this spaceman equipment aboard the TARDIS, she'd be able to clean a simple dress-but try as she might, Donna cannot wash out the smell of smoke and sulfur.
She holds the bodice to her face, inhales, and she's back in the city, running through the flood of anguished cries, the fog of ash, the rain of fire. Try as she might, she cannot scrub the dead from her mind.
Is this what it's always like in the Doctor's head?
4.
Title: Forbidden
Fandom: Doctor Who
Characters: Rose, Nine
Summary: Could this actually kill her?
So this is what it's like. Rose thinks her head may explode; she can feel the progress of the blood through her veins like molten metal. All she can see is flashes of light. Will this actually kill her? Maybe humans weren't meant to-
Suddenly it's over, and the relief is so sweet, she begins to laugh and can't stop. She notices the Doctor's arm supporting her as if she might fall. A glance, and he's grinning from ear to generous ear.
"Told you it was good!" he crows, picking up a bumpy golden fruit and offering it. "Want another?"