Ficathon: Cuckoo in the Nest (Gen)

[wild_force71]

This is a ficathon response to the prompt "30. A situation based on some plot element from series 5." Spoilers for Sky.

Summary: Luke finds out about his mother's latest adventure. Unfortunately, he finds out in the worst way possible.

Gen.

Thanks katie_9918 for the beta!

Comments

[tamlover]

Lovely fic. I felt so sorry for poor Luke. Don't really think Sanjay knows about K9, I admit. But then, maybe he just thinks K9 is from New Jersey. :)

I love the bit about it taking Luke time to remember to breathe. Really drives home what this did to him. I really like that he ran to Clyde's too. Firstly for their friendship and secondly because where else is he going to go?

The descriptions of Luke and his behavior are great. I can really visualize them. I especially like the bit about Luke throwing himself off the couch. And Clyde asking him to slow down that way - the dialog is very Clyde.

I liked Carla's presence. She's concerned. Worried. Hesitant to let the kids handle this, though of course she ultimately does. She asks questions. Clyde handles that well. I still wonder if she won't be checking in with Sarah Jane after this is over - it's worrisome and it affected her kid, too.

The description of Luke having a nightmare is nice, too.

Not sure if I really buy Clyde being willing to cut Sarah Jane out of his life. She's a very dear friend and knowing her (and the others, of course) has made a profound difference in his life. But I can buy him saying it to evoke a reaction.

"There's room for everyone," she agreed. "Luke, you come first. You know that. You're more important to me than anyone, Clyde and Rani and Maria, the Doctor, Sky."
...
"You're my kid," Sarah Jane said fiercely. "You're first, you're always first."

I do buy that. Which is a problem in it's own right. I hate the idea of Luke being diminished as the most important thing in SJ's life. But Sky getting the short end of the stick isn't good, either.

[wild_force71]

Well, Luke is a genius, right? Maybe Sanjay thinks he built K9. :D

I'm glad you liked the descriptions - I worked hard on getting them right. I like Clyde a lot - Luke is my favourite, but Clyde is starting to edge him out. He just cares so much about everyone. You're right he probably couldn't give up Sarah Jane, but I think he made the offer in good faith - Luke needed really badly to know that someone was there for him. Clyde knew Luke would never hold him to it, but the offer itself was made in good faith.

I liked Carla. She seemed a bit like Alan Jackson, willing to trust her child to make the right decisions and come for help if they can't handle it. I'm fairly sure afterwards Clyde gave her an edited version of events. It can't be that uncommon for adopted kids to worry about being replaced or supplanted, right?

Sky getting the short end of the stick isn't good, either.
That's partly why I made sure Luke understood that none of this was Sky's fault, and he genuinely didn't blame her for anything. I really don't think Luke-on-the-show will be angry at Sky, if this issue is even brought up.

Thanks for the lovely long comment! I love this kind of comment, it shows that people are really reading and thinking about what I wrote.

[tamlover]

I liked Carla. She seemed a bit like Alan Jackson, willing to trust her child to make the right decisions and come for help if they can't handle it. I'm fairly sure afterwards Clyde gave her an edited version of events. It can't be that uncommon for adopted kids to worry about being replaced or supplanted, right?
They are similar, but not quite the same, to me. Carla said she couldn't take what Clyde did. To me, she almost asked to forget (and I note that she did not ask Clyde to stop - IIRC). Alan's first instinct was to get his daughter to safety. But then, he supported her. After being part of an adventure he understood more, I think. As a consequence of living so near, Alan and Gita and Haresh seem to me to have a better idea of what's going on. To me, Carla really does seem to be in the dark. Gita knows there are secrets. Haresh and Alan - they know their child is friends with Sarah, not just with Luke, and both have acknowledged that they don't really know what goes on over there (they just foolishly think it's all okay). I'm not sure Carla does. But that's just my perception.

Anyway, Carla doesn't even know Luke is adopted. She can be told, of course. Luke's reaction is way out of proportion, but I expect she's accept it. Still, are they going to tell her this was sort of sprung on Luke? She might think a little less of Sarah Jane for that, if she's not aware Sarah didn't really have a choice.

Side note: do Haresh and Gita know Luke is adopted? It's not that it's important, I'm just not sure.

That's partly why I made sure Luke understood that none of this was Sky's fault, and he genuinely didn't blame her for anything. I really don't think Luke-on-the-show will be angry at Sky, if this issue is even brought up.
I'm not sure Luke will have much of a reaction on the show at all, which is unfortunate. However, I'd never see Luke as angry at Sky, anyway. Scared and abandoned, but I'm not sure about angry. I think any anger would probably be focused on Sarah Jane, and maybe even Clyde and Rani (less so with them, realistically, given Sky's age, the relationship, etc.). Be angry at the people that replaced him.