Sunday Afternoon

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She walked back to the TARDIS with Elizabeth after Mass. Unlocking the door, she wasn't sure what she would find inside. Would Ten be there? Shane? Both of them? Neither? She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Not seeing anyone immediately, she walked straight back to her room...and found Shane still asleep.]

Shane? Sweetie, gotta wake up...

Comments

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[Ten's busy in the kitchen, clearing up. He probably can't hear you and he's had the proximity alert turned off for CJ. To give her a bit of privacy, y'know.]

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

((Aaaand the mun needs to lie down for a bit. Will return shortly.))

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Shane awakens, albeit very, very slowly, her movements stilted and slow and rather unlike her usual fluid gracefulness. She needs coffee. Strong. And lots of it. She hadn't been drinking the night before, so there was nothing to sober her up from, and didn't have a hang-over, so there was no headache or sickness to ease. She just couldn't function without her coffee.

"Mmmph... uhhh..." She reaches up and rubs at her eyes, which are still rather stubbornly closed, as she pushes herself up on one elbow.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[Speaking quietly] There's my girl. Good afternoon sunshine.

Did you sleep ok?

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"Af..." Shane's brows wrinkle as she opens her one eye (the one she's currently not rubbing) and looks at CJ, then shifts slightly and looks at the clock. It read 12:23. Afternoon. She pushes herself up into a sitting position, still trying to get her brain to kick-start enough so that she can give CJ an answer.

Without caffeine, though, it's impossible and she knows it, so she just settles on a nod, a deeply grateful look in her eye.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Want some coffee? I'll get you a cup...bathroom's down the hall two doors. [She rubs Shane's arm and gets up to go to the kitchen]

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Watching CJ disappear to the kitchen, Shane crawls out of bed and heads into the bathroom. She looks around and is fairly sure she'll probably never get used to the idea of a ship that's kinda-but-not-exactly alive that is as big inside as it wants to be and can be anything that you could want it to be... and it has a bathroom.

Chuckling rather drowsily to herself, Shane pads into the bathroom, goes to the sink and scrubs her face. When she looks up and sees her reflection in the mirror, she's almost startled. Even though people often seem to find her attractive, she rarely looks into the mirror at all.

Wiping a few stray droplets of water from her cheek, she looks into her reflection's eyes. She thought she'd ... look different... after telling someone, after ... crying. Because she doesn't cry. Not much at all. And certainly not like the way she'd done the night before. For herself.

Shane's smile as she looks in the mirror is small, but it's genuine... fragile and wet and new.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She saunters to the kitchen to get coffee. She nearly runs into Ten. She smiles, but grabs a cup and fills it with coffee.]

Hi. Shane...um, coffee. Back in a bit.

[She hurries back to the bedroom]

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Feeling a little bit more lucid thanks to the cool water, Shane pads back out into the bedroom, scratching a hand through her hair as she goes. It's a hopelessly sleep-rumpled mess and her clothes are wrinkled from sleeping in them, but her eyes are bright and unclouded.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Here's a cup, hon. It's plain...if you want milk or sugar I can go get them.

[Gives her a half smile] So, did you sleep well?

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

At the offer of milk or sugar, Shane just shakes her head, offering CJ a sweet smile as she takes the coffee. She downs half of it in one long, bracing gulp and finally, finally, she can speak.

"Umm... uhh, yeah. Yeah, I did," she says quietly, nodding. "Thank you."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Good. I hope I...didn't crowd you. I kind of fell asleep beside you. [smiles] Laid down on top of the covers and I didn't realize how much our little tear fest had taken out of me.

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"Oh..." Shane looks over at the bed for a moment before crossing over to it and taking a seat on the edge. "No, I... no, you didn't... you didn't crowd me," she murmurs, taking another deep sip of her coffee. "I -- I wanted to ask you if you'd stay, but... I fell asleep so fast..."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[Smiles] Then it worked out for both of us. Sleep, and company. It's funny how fast you get used to sleeping next to someone. I slept alone for so many years, I never thought I'd be able to not have the whole bed. Now...[a dremay look crosses her face]...now I can't imagine being alone.

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"I know," she says softly, a sweet, besotted smile shaping her lips as she thinks about Kate. "I mean... I've just ... I've never had this before. With anyone. Not like this. You know? It's... it's so amazing."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I know...I do. And how do you feel this morning? Is it...weird? With me?

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"Oh -- no, no," Shane says immediately, shaking her head. "It's... I mean... I slept all night and I'm still... kinda tired. Sore." She rubs at her eyes. "I'm just not used to... to that..."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

It's ok. From now on it'll be easier...or, you know, it might never happen again. But I'm always here for you. [Leans forward and kisses Shane's forehead].

Hungry?

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"I'd like it to be easier," she agrees softly, nodding. "I'd like to be... better at it... y'know, than I am now. I'm trying." A small smile curls her lips as CJ kisses her forehead. "Thank you. Yeah, I'm kinda starving."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[Walking to the kitchen, CJ put her arm around Shane's shoulders.]

What do you feel like eating?

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor looks up and blinks a few times. He has been apparently immersed in a book, a second cup of tea next to him on the table.] Oh. Hello, then.

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"I don't know, umm... just... cereal or something is fine," she murmurs. "I don't want you to go to any trouble or anything."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Good morn-er-noon. [Smiles at him]

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Cereal? I think we can find something better. [Takes her arm off Shane's shoulders and starts digging around for breakfast foods]

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"But no trouble," Shane adds insistently.