Sunday Morning

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

She is nothing if not a creature of habit. Sunday morning, despite the late night talking to Shane, she rises and gets ready for Mass. After the cancellation last week, she is unconcerned if it happens today or not. Mr. Phale had reassured her enough.

She makes her way to the church through the cold, crisp morning. The restaurants seem busy with the breakfast crowd.

Mass is, as always, an experience.

Afterwards, on her return, her thoughts turn to last night. The Doctor...Nine, had been talking to Shane. She hadn't interrupted because she knew Shane could handle herself.

Returning home, she looked at the sign she had taped to Nine's TARDIS. She looked at her own. And then she walked to his door...and knocked.


((for nine_and_ears))

Comments

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

*opens the door, and pokes his head out*

Oh, hello! Top of the morning to you, and all that. Would you like to come in?

*he steps out of the doorframe and motions for CJ to enter*

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She smiles softly and her voice is quiet] Good morning, Doctor.

[She steps in, almost timidly]

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

*shoves his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket, and smiles*

May I ask why I have the pleasure of your visit?

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I really don't know. I talked to a friend last night and I just really felt like I should see you. I need to understand...huh.

[her brow furrows and she bites her lip as she stares at him]

I'm having a little trouble with the reality of you, I guess. Generally people who die stay dead. They don't move in next door. I've tried so hard to understand what Ten tells me, but this was just weird times twelve.

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

The reality of me?

I can see you're still confused as to how I can be him, when he's me after certain events that have yet to happen, for me at least.

*shakes his head and laughs*

Pronouns always becoming confusing here. Basically, I'm not dead, and since the old girl here can travel through time, it's possible to show up where I already am... or will be. I'm not sure if that answers your question, but I hope it makes a little sense.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She stares at him and blinks as he speaks, then smiles and laughs] You're making it worse...just shut up.

[She moves into the TARDIS, comfortable with the space]

I'm a fairly smart lady, Doctor. I'll figure it out eventually.

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you will. But I don't want you goin' round thinking I'm some sort of shambling corpse or shadow of the fellow you know. Fully real and alive, me. From the tips of my ears down to my wriggling little toes.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I understand that Doctor. I know you're real, you're him...I see many of the same qualities in both of you. But I love him, and you're a stranger. I mean...what do you think about knowing that you will fall in love with me? That I'll move in with you? Doesn't that boggle you at all? Or do you just take everything time-realted in stride?

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

I take a lot of things in stride. I've seen my future faces more than once, you know. Knowing that he... I've found someone to share my time with, that's just an extra happy bonus, isn't it? Better than learning you're sad and alone, or wearing the tackiest sweater vest that ever was knitted. It's all relative, every little bit.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She smiles and laughs lightly] You wore sweater vests?

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

Believe me, it took nine hundred years for my sense of dress to settle down to something reasonable. Though I apparently lose my taste in shoes, eventually.

*laugh*

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Yeah...I know. What's with those shoes? I have an abnormal appreciation for shoes, I know...but...do you have those now? Because it'd be a real favor to me if you'd lose them. [is joking, and at ease]

Hey, can we go sit down?

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

Here, follow me. *begins leading the way to a small sitting room, not far from the console room*

The shoes aren't that bad of a development, really. At least he's not taken up wearing vegetables as a lapel accessory. But if I ever spot those shoes in the wardrobe, I'll chuck them out into the vortex, just for you. *smile*

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[Smiles and follows him, watching how he moves...his body language strangely familiar]

I'd really appreciate that. You have no idea.

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

*They arrive at the room, and he gestures to two chairs near each other, and sits in one himself*

So, Miss Cregg, what can I do for you? I could make some tea, if you like...

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Tea would be lovely. Civilised, like we're friends. [She sits]

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

I'll just go put the kettle on. *nips out, and returns after a few moments*

Civilized is good. And tea is an excellent tool of civilization. Empires were built on it, after all. *sits down*

So... civilized it is. *smile*

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Civilised. Can we have another word now? [She represses a smile]

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

How about "Fantastic"? Fantastic if a good word too. *he chuckles a little*

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

You like "brilliant'...or you will. [Smiles broadly]

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

*smiles, and leans back in his chair*

I don't turn out half bad, do I? Sure, he seems a little cheeky, but it's much more of the same, really.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Not too bad at all. Ten's a wonderful man. He has a lot of friends here. And me. Lucky boy...wow, that sounds vain, I'm sorry.

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

No, no, no... not vain at all, really. I've been meaning to have another chat with myself, if that's any indication of vanity, I don't know what is. *chuckle*

You're wonderful, Miss Cregg. I'm really glad that he has someone like you around.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

You are? I am? [She looks at him confused for a moment, then smiles] Thank you.

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. *jerks his head up* Oh, there's the whistle, I'll be right back.

*stands up, and hurries out the door, returning a few minutes later with a tray with full silver tea service*

Milk? Lemon? Sugar? I don't know how you take it, so I brought it all.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Thank you, again. I'll do it. [she puts in 3 heaping spoons of sugar and enough milk to lighten it.] And you...lemon and sugar, right?

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

Two sugars, actually. Guess I have a bit more of a sweet teeth than he. *smile* I guess age makes you calm down a bit, and all that. Thank you, Miss Cregg. *nod*

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I suppose so. Ten says I use too much sugar. [She sips her tea, watching him] You can call me CJ, you know. Miss Cregg is for strangers, students, adn co-workers.

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

Good to see I'm no longer considered a stranger. *takes a sip of tea*

Ahhh, civilization. Fantastic! *he chuckles softly into his tea*

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I saw you last night being civilised with my girl. Were you nice to her?

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

Shane? I thought I was very nice to her. Maybe a bit philisophical to start out, but nothing but the utmost pleasantries. Smart girl, she is. Wonderful attitude.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

She's...brilliant. In every sense of the word. Ten and I...she's special to us. [Both her voice and expression soft, and she looks into her tea as she speaks]

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

I can see why. *very broad smile* Suddenly, I'm really glad I made this trip. Sure, a few unpleasant things cropped up, but there's so much good around here, it's amazing. Almost wish I could settle down here myself.

But I won't, for all of your sakes, if nothing else.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I don't know...if you could get along with yourself, I don't see a problem. Except I'd be walking into the wrong TARDIS all the time. [luaghs lightly]

In fact, if you two could talk it out, you both might find some peace regarding the past. I'm really no help there, I don't think.

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

You're right, you are. *stands up, and smiles*

I should be talking to him. Just to apologize, if nothing else. Now, I don't want to rush you or anything, but... I really should go find him. Can you let yourself out, or should I wait and see you out, instead? I don't want to be rude, but you're right. It's very important that we talk.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

He usually sleeps in while I go to Mass...would you like to accompany me home? If he's not there...at least I'll be out of your hair. [finishes her tea, enjoying the syrupy dregs]

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

Out of my hair? I'm sorry if that's the impression I was giving. Merely an acknowledgement that time is precious in these circumstances, and I've suddenly got lots to do.

But yes, I shall accompany you home, CJ. I'd like that very much.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I didn't mean anything by it...I just say that. I'm finding it bothers most people around here...but it's just an expression. I'm ready when you are, sir. [She stands and smiles]

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

Sooner is better than later, I feel. *gestures to the hallway*

After you, then. Ladies first, and all that. *smile*

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[Walking ahead of him, she walks to the door, steps outside, and pulls out her key to unlock the door]

Come on in...

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

*enters the other TARDIS, smiling*

Thank you, CJ. Now, if he may be sleeping, I shouldn't be the one to wake him...

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I'll be right back. [She slips off her shoes at the doorway and heads back to the bedroom. Moments later she comes back and walks into the kitchen. She comes out looking concerned]

He's not asleep and there's no note. That's not like him. I don't know where he's at.

((cuz he's at the Perk))

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

Well, I'll just have to bit of recon and find out then, won't I?

Thank you again. I'll make sure to send him back to you after we have our little chat. *opens his arms, invitingly*

I'm not sure if I'll be around much longer, so... I just wanted to say goodbye now, if that's alright.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[Stepping into his open arms, she hugs him warmly, pressing her cheek to his and kissing the air, both sides.]

I'm actually very happy to have met you, Doctor.

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

I'm very pleased to have met you too, CJ. And I look forward to our meeting in the future, whether it be with this face or another. *lets go of the hug, and steps back*

Goodbye. May your days be filled with adventure. *waves, and turns to leave*

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Goodbye, Doctor.

[She closes the door behind him, I think I could do with less adventure, thanks.]