Settling in...sort of [Open to all]

[imatwat]

Owen wandered aimlessly around the big house that was meant to be a temporary home for those without lodgings and then finally sat down on a random sofa in the living room. He idly wondered if someone should start a fire since it was getting a touch chilly, but didn't bother to get up again. Instead he just sat there staring at the grate, lost in

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[his_sarah_jane]

It was a rare day indeed when Sarah Jane decided to walk into the house. She had never been fond of it, ever since she wound up in the future before parts of the universe ended. Too much confusion, what with future and alternate selves. And too much of a reminder of the life she had left behind.

But she needed clothing and there was only so much on the Doctor's TARDIS. In the end, she decided it would be cheaper to raid the house that had belonged to her future self.

She hadn't expected to run into anyone else though. It was to be a quick trip before she returned to the TARDIS to see if the Doctor needed any help.

Curiosity got the better of Sarah, though. Usually did. "New?"

[imatwat]

"If new means not knowing what the bloody hell is going on while everyone else is acting like it's just summer camp. Then yeah, I'm new." Owen answered tetchily. Then deciding that he couldn't afford to completely alienate everyone, he softened his tone a bit. "I take it this isn't new to you though. Don't suppose you could fill me in on what's what? No-one's been particularly forthcoming. It's a bit surreal, actually. One minute I'm on Argolis and then the next I'm back on earth, I'm officially dead, months have gone by and the universe is collapsing. It hasn't exactly been my day."

[his_sarah_jane]

Her mouth opened to retort immediately. Even if he was new, there was absolutely no reason for him to snap at her like that. Even when his tone softened, Sarah Jane still watched him warily.

"I have some idea," she answered honestly as she leaned against an armchair. "And no matter how surreal it is, it's very real. Haven't you talked to anyone? You found this place, didn't you?"

[imatwat]

"Let's see. Got stranded in some middle eastern arabic country. Talked to some people on the communicator device I found in my pocket. Very informative. Got picked up by someone called Manisha and dropped off here with a good luck, be seeing you. Registered my name and serial number with the notebook keepers. I've exchanged words with a few people, but I can't say I've actually talked to them." He might as well have been reciting a shopping list with the matter of fact tone he used. Except for the comment at the end which was somewhat of an admission of his general wanker-ish attitude.

Since the woman appeared to be willing to listen to him, Owen let himself continue, giving voice to some of his earlier misgivings. "Apparently I'm one of the chosen ones to help right the universe. That I was called here for a reason, whatever that means. I'm much more comfortable with saving lives on a smaller scale, personally. And I don't believe in destiny."

[his_sarah_jane]

Chosen ones are they? Sarah frowns at that term. Fat lot of good they did first time around. A flicker of guilt and self-loathing crosses he face for the briefest of seconds.

The rest of his information gets filed away. It sounds basic enough and makes her entirely happy that, in either case, she's encountered a Doctor that's recognised her. In some ways, that's made a lot of this much easier to comprehend.

"Does that mean you've seen the night sky yet? It's gone," she says, voice softening. "Most of it is gone. Because we, those of us who were here before, failed to properly stop the end of the universe. I suppose that's why you're here. Fresh blood to make a difference?"

[imatwat]

Owen eyed the woman speculatively. There was a lot more going on here than at first glance, and the woman wasn't as self-assured as she outwardly appeared.

"It's gone?" He couldn't quite believe it, but he had no reason to think she'd lie about something as easily verifiable as that. An earth sky without stars overhead sounded pretty fucked up to him. "No, I haven't."

Then he processed what else she was saying and it was his turn to frown. "You mean all this has happened before? You screwed up and now you're trying to fix it again? I don't see how I'd make a difference. I'm just a doctor. A bloody medical doctor."

[his_sarah_jane]

"And I'm just a bloody journalist who got way too in over her head when she snuck in to a UNIT base chasing after a story," Sarah answers sharply.

Maybe more sharply than intended.

"At least you know how to save lives."

[imatwat]

Owen blinked at her, taken aback by her snappish tone. He was the one who was meant to be ranting on about his unsuitability for the task ahead.

But then he grinned. "You actually managed to sneak onto a UNIT base? I'm impressed. Do they still wear those annoying red berets and military uniforms?"

[his_sarah_jane]

"They are a military group, aren't they?" The 'yes' is entirely in the look. "Although in my day, I believe those berets were green. Camouflaged better than I'd imagine any red colour would."

Sarah laughs softly (if not a tad dryly) as she sits. "Oh, that sounds weird to say. One of the many reasons I despise coming in to this house, you see. It belongs to a future me, one from this time who wasn't yanked out of the late seventies."

[imatwat]

Owen found himself chuckling as well. "Well, yeah, but it makes them look like they have poles stuck up their arses even more than they already do. And I agree, a bright red beret is just asking for someone to aim directly at your sodding head."

He leaned back against the sofa, relaxing a bit for the first time. "So, you were ripped out of your time. I have a bit of experience with that. Always ends in tears."

[his_sarah_jane]

"It's not over yet, I suppose."

He's right about the tears though. Losing her Doctor hadn't been easy. None of this has been. Sarah takes a breath, hoping that her sadness doesn't show. She's trying to be strong.

And, perhaps, the best way to do so would be to change the topic right about now. She shakes her head and forces a smile on her face.

"Oh, where are my manners. I'm Sarah Jane."

[imatwat]

There was a moment's pause, as if Owen was perfectly aware that they'd both been about to step into dangerous territory that neither really wanted to delve into.

"Owen Harper. Formerly of Torchwood Cardiff." Since Sarah Jane seemed familiar with UNIT there didn't seem much harm in telling her that. "And I don't have any manners whatsoever, so it would take a lot more to offend my sensibilities." His reflexive flirting was kicking in. Terrible habit.

[his_sarah_jane]

She laughs happily. Most certainly a change of topic that she can live with. There's been far too much gloom and doom about. Living with this new Doctor has been lovely, but still. It hasn't been the same. Broken hearts aren't easily healed.

Light hearted flirting could make for a nice change.

Sarah leans forward, grin widening. "Torchwood. Well, that certainly explains why you were so good at covering up that lack of manners when we first met."

[imatwat]

"Touche." Owen murmured, smirking cheekily at her. "Hey, at least we get to make better fashion statements. Leather, sunnies, denim, that sort of thing. And we're supposed to be the ones working beyond the police and the government, so that requires some improvising, some bending of the rules occasionally." He sighed, sobering a little. "In the end though, it's always just a bunch of us running around poking our fingers into the dam cracks, isn't it?"

[his_sarah_jane]

"Rules are meant to be bent," Sarah points out with a slight grin.

She doesn't want the conversation to turn serious again. Not yet at any rate. The words still slip from her mouth.

"I do know what you mean, though. I felt that way so many times while travelling with the Doctor. I'd never let it show but... I suppose, in the end, we do what we can and what we think is right and hope it all works out for the best."

[imatwat]

"Sometimes they're even meant to be broken." Owen added, deliberately lightening his tone again.

"Entropy. It gets us all in the end. Every single thing dies eventually. Just...stops. But that doesn't mean we should just give up and let it happen. It ain't over until the massively obese lady sings." He hadn't intended to give a rallying speech, but it had just come out that way. Far less cynical than he'd planned.