Aug 21 - Fishing Expedition
Title: Fishing Expedition
Author: acswatwst (acs)
Rating: FR-13
Word Count: 1,328
Crossover: BtVS / Dr Who / Stargate: SG-1
Disclaimer: This is a derivative work. All BtVS characters and concepts belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Fox Television, and others. The BBC owns all things Dr Who (K-9, Romana, etc.). SG-1/Stargate belongs to someone else.
Author's Note: This did not turn out how I'd planned. But I really can't see Romana just 'spilling the beans' to Jack just because he wanted to know. That being said, this is really just a short segment of what should be something longer.
Summary: Fishing? And explanations.
"We'll need to have this discussion elsewhere," Sam said, answering the door the next morning. "Some place we can't be overheard. I sweep my house for NID bugs on a regular basis but there's always the chance one has slipped through."
"We can take the TARDIS somewhere," Joyce said. "Right?"
"We'll have to pick up Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c on the way," Sam said.
"Let them know we're coming," Romana said.
"Be right back," Sam said, nodding, leaving them standing on the porch.
"Where should we go?" Joyce said. "Or we could stay in the TARDIS for this discussion?"
"A quick trip somewhere," Romana said. "Staying in the TARDIS would be distracting, and then there's Missy."
"She'll probably stay in her lab," Joyce said. "Now that she has those two control crystals. Somewhere with coffee? And donuts."
"We'll stop and get coffee and pastries, and then find some out of the way corner to talk with Sam's men," Romana said.
"Okay," Joyce said.
"All set," Sam said, rejoining them. "They'll all be at Jackson's apartment in thirty minutes."
"So, coffee, donuts, and then there?" Joyce said. The three women slipped around the house and into the TARDIS.
"Do you have a preference?" Romana said to Joyce, as Sam looked on in amusement.
"Starbuck in Cleveland?" Joyce said, hopefully.
"We need coffee for five adults, and you," Sam said. "Can they do it fast enough?"
"Time machine," Romana reminded her. "We can go to Joyce's favorite Starbucks yesterday, order what we need and pick it up this morning."
"Cleveland, across from the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame," Joyce said. "Though, we haven't actually been there."
"I'm sure it will still be there when you grow up," Sam said.
"You'll have to take me," Joyce said. "A birthday surprise or something. I'm sure old me will appreciate it."
-- -- --
"Did you warn them that we needed space for the TARDIS?," Joyce said, after they'd returned from Starbucks with several carafes, pastries, and her own double grande espresso.
"It won't be a problem," Romana said. "Idris won't land on anyone."
"I told Daniel to keep a spot large enough for your TARDIS clear," Sam said. "Idris shouldn't have any problem with it."
"Good. Shall we?" Romana said. She flipped a switch on the console.
"I should go first," Sam said, stepping in front of Joyce who'd automatically headed towards the TARDIS does when they'd come to a stop.
Pushing open the door, she cautiously stuck her head out. Jack, Jackson, and Teal'c were watching her emerge.
"Interesting looking transport," Jack said. "Had to make a call?"
"No, sir," Sam said. "Come on." Sam stepped out of the TARDIS and waved them in. She followed Teal'c and closed the door behind them.
"It's bigger on the inside," Jack said.
"Indeed," Teal'c said standing next to Jack in the console room, his presence among the smaller women making the room feel cramped to Joyce.
"How is it possible?" Jackson said.
"Alien science, obviously," Jack said sarcastically. "But I'd like to know a bit more about our hosts."
"That's the current plan," Sam said. "But a more comfortable place for this discussion would probably be best."
"Where to," Romana said.
"These coordinates," Sam said, handing Romana a slip of paper. "No time change. Just location."
"No time traveling?" Jack said.
"Best not sir," Sam said. "At least not this trip."
"Where are we going?" Joyce said, moving over to sit next to K-9.
"Minnesota," Sam said.
"What's in Minnesota?" Joyce asked.
"Fishing," Jack said. There was a brief sound. A log cabin appeared in the console room view screen. "Excellent fishing."
"You never catch any fish," Sam said.
"It's not about the actual fish, Sam," Jack said. "It's about the process, and the fresh air. And the company."
"We're here," Romana said. "Joyce? The coffee."
"Got it," Joyce said, picking up the two carafes. "If someone could get the donuts? Where are we going?"
"In the cabin?" Sam asked.
-- -- --
"So we're here," Jack said, sipping his coffee. "Explain. Time travel. Time Lords, that blue box."
"You must understand that Time Lords, which is what we call ourselves, are not native to your universe. You are very unlikely to run into any others," Romana said.
"Where are you from then?" Jackson asked. "You and Missy."
"We originated from a planet called Gallifrey," Romana said.
"What about her?" Jack said, pointing at Joyce. "She has pointed ears, you don't"
"I'm from Dayton," Joyce said. "It's in Ohio."
"Ohio, right," Jack said. "Most Mid-westerners don't have pointed ears."
"Family legacy," Joyce said.
"Missy said you were a Furling," Jackson said. "The Furling are just a rumor, a legend."
"Can't help you," Joyce said. "You probably know more about Furlings than I do."
"So, you have that fancy box, that's bigger on the inside and you travel through time?" Jack said. "Can anyone else do that?"
"TARDIS," Sam said "Time and Relative Dimensions in Space. It's pilot, Idris, is sentient."
"So, a smart time and space ship," Jack said. "Why isn't there anyone else who travels in time?"
"Your Ancients, also known as Alterans, do not approve of time travel, and discourage it. You are very unlikely to run into any other intentional time travelers in this universe," Romana said.
"Unintentional time travel is dangerous enough," Sam said, grimacing. "We don't really need more."
"Why don't the Alterans like time travel?" Jack asked.
"They were originally from our universe," Romana said. "From Gallifrey, millions of your years ago. They had philosophical differences with the Time Lords, with Rassilon, and came here."
"So, not you biggest fans," Jack said.
"There was a Gallifrey in this universe," Romana said. "When the Alterans came here they somehow caused it to fall. All that's left is a ruined planet."
"You don't want revenge for them destroying your people?" Jackson said.
"No," Romana said. "They weren't my people. My Gallifrey still exists, on the other side of the void."
"What are you doing in this universe?" Jack asked. "Why are you here?"
"Coming here was an accident of time and space," Romana said. "Now? Exploring and traveling."
"We also help people," Joyce said. "Don't forget that. Adventure and helping those who need it."
"Where does this Missy fit in?" Jack asked. "She travels with you. Is she just another Time Traveling tourist and Good Samaritan?"
"Missy?" Joyce laughed, answering before Romana could. "She does her own thing. And doesn't play well with others, unless she's in charge. Always scheming."
"What's the deal with Missy and the Goa'uld?" Jack asked. "They are not fluffy critters to play with."
"She doesn't like them," Joyce said. "They seem to offend her, because they are the wrong kind of evil. That's what she says anyway."
"The Goa'uld are the descendants of creatures called Daleks," Romana said. "There is nothing like them in all the universes. They kill without mercy. Their goal is total destruction of all life except their own. They have been fighting a war across all of time with the Time Lords in our universe."
"And do we have them here? Did they follow you?" Jack asked.
"The Goa'uld are this universe's descendants of your universe's Daleks. They evolved into the Goa'uld before they could become what they are in my universe. I wouldn't worry about them, just the Goa'uld," Romana said.
"So, just forget there are time travelers wandering around?" Jack said. "Making changes to time? With no oversight?"
"We aren't a threat to you," Romana said. "Or to your people. You'll have to trust us. Or at least trust Sam. She knows how to contact us."
"I would trust Romana and Joyce with my life, sir," Sam said.
"And Missy?" Jack asked.
"Not as far as I can throw her," Sam said.
"Good to know," Jack said, grimacing.
"She won't be sticking around this universe much longer," Romana said. "She has plans involving her oldest frenemie, which requires her presence elsewhere."