The Park: around lunchtime

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

It was cold, but Jack had bundled himself up before heading out.

After quick stops at J,GoB and The Perk, he walked over to the park, finding a comfortable - and fairly secluded - spot under a tree.

The maps Parker had dropped off that morning were spread out in front of him, and he was working on memorising the layout in between sipping coffee and munching on pastries.

[ooc: Jack's here for River (not that he knows that) but otherwise open for all your cold parky needs!]

Comments

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River had wandered in to town in very good time for the hair appoinment, hoping to get something to eat before. To be honest, right now the idea of someone doing something to her hair felt disturbing.

Noticing Jack under a tree distracted her from worrying thoughts, however, and she took a wide turn around the tree, attempting to sneak up on him.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack was completely engrossed in what he was doing, so he probably wouldn't have noticed an elephant sneaking up on him, much less River.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River kept completely quiet, then poked him on the back.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Gah!" Jack jumped and his hand shot back to grab whoever had poked him, while he flipped the maps over with his other hand.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River giggled, pulling away her hand. She had to admit that Jack had reacted faster than Simon used to.

"Hello," she said. "Want company?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"River." He shook his head and tried to scowl at her, which didn't work. "Always, if it's you. Want a pastry?" He pointed at the box.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She nodded, as she was actually quite hungry. The failed scowling amused her and she sat down next to Jack, reaching for the pastry.

"Maps?" she asked.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Maps, yes." No point in denying it. "But they're a secret. No poking around in here," he said as he tapped his temple. "To find out about them, okay?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Won't." She took a bite out of the pastry. "If they're a secret, you won't tell me anything?" She smiled sweetly. "I can tell you a secret."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I'd tell you if it was my secret, but it's not. It belongs to someone else, and I made a promise not to tell," he explained, smiling back at her. "What secret are you going to tell me?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River's smile turned into a happy grin. "The squirrels built me a spaceship."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Even inured as he was to Fandom's oddness, that took him completely by surprise and he just blinked at River, mind completely blank. "The squirrels built you a spaceship," he finally repeated. "Really?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Would I make that up?" River replied, rolling her eyes.

"Or rather, they built it for the person I was this weekend."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You?" Jack grinned. "Maybe. But I remember her. She was busy drawing. In the Park."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She frowned, trying to remember Jack. His thoughts gave him away, and her face lit up. "You were big and furry!" She exclaimed happily. "I saw you, but you disappeared."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Laughing, Jack explained, "He didn't like people very much, and he was kind of shy." The memories rolled out and he shook his head. "In addition to which he was a total sap."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River chuckled. "Sap bothers you?" She lay down on her side, resting her head in her hand. "Good to be myself again." She frowned. "I think perhaps Tess might have suffered from delusions."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"At that level, yeah. He was mooning after Samantha." Jack rolled his eyes. "And it's very good to be back to ourselves." He leaned forward and tucked a bit of River's hair behind her ear. "What sort of delusions?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Isn't she a good person to be mooning about?" River couldn't resist teasing him. "Tess thought there were doctors spying on her from submarines under the sea." She shuddered. "I don't believe there were. But otherwise she was a lot like me. Blair didn't notice much difference. He thought I'd had a nightmare."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"She took it with good grace at least," he replied, shaking his head at himself. "Why didn't Blair notice a difference?" He was having trouble with that, and he looked at her curiously. "Do you have nightmares a lot?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She shouldn't have mentioned the nightmares. They seemed to bother everyone else nearly as much as they frightened her. Still, she didn't want to lie to Jack. "Yes. Almost every night. Better when I'm staying with Blair."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Every night?" Jack stared at River, concern washing through him. "For how long?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River avoided his gaze. "Since Christmas," she mumbled. "Don't like you worrying."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"River. There's not many people I worry about, but you're one of them." Jack touched the back of her hand gently. "And if you've been having nightmares since Christmas..." His voice trailed off. "Any idea why?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

The gentle touch felt comforting and River looked up at him. "Not sure. Maybe something I should know." She frowned. "Don't think they're mine, really."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Not yours?" he asked. "You're picking them up from someone else - another student, maybe." If they could figure out who, maybe they could figure out how to stop them.

Jack didn't even notice that River's problem had gone from hers to theirs. "Anything in them that would tell you who they belong to?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She shook her head. "Everyone's... dead. And silent." The fear was clearly visible in her eyes.

Part of her wanted to just shut up and run away, making Jack's concern not noticeable to her. She didn't however.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He could see her fear, and he reacted to it on instinct, holding out his arms, trying to concentrate on warmth and comfort. "Come here."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River let him hold her, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Can't tell you more," She said quietly. "Nothing to tell." She wished there was another way, but nothing was as comforting as closeness, or as disturbing at the same time.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"It's okay, I'm not going to ask," he promised, holding her lightly. "But if you can't find Blair, you know where to find me."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Thank you."

She hadn't planned on telling him this, or even to touch this subject. "Tell me something about you now."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He smiled down at her. "My stuffed elephant is in love with," he said, laughing a little as he concentrated on the memory (http://time-agent.livejournal.com/90280.html).

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Jack's memory filled her mind and chased away the frightening images. River grinned. "Is there anyone who doesn't fall in love with you?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You're showing a distressing immunity," he teased, happy to see her smiling again.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Just pretending, to tease you. Have to tease someone when Simon isn't here." Yes, smiling felt good, and Jack was good at making her smile.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Oh, well, as long as I serve some useful purpose in your life." Jack pretended to grumble, but he was highly amused at being categorised with River's brother. "If I'm doing your brother's job, does that mean no more kissing?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"We don't do any kissing," River pointed out. "Nothing to do with Simon." She giggled. "I think you'd like Simon."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack laughed. "I'd like to meet him if I get a chance. If he's anything like you, I know I'll like him."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Not like me. But you could help me tease him, and I'd enjoy that." She was now shaking of laughter.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Can I flirt with him?" Jack asked, grinning wickedly. "Because that could be fun."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Yes. And it would be fun. He wouldn't know what to do." She stretched her legs out in front of her, leaning back, sighing happily.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Those are the best people to flirt with. They get so flustered." Jack settled his arms more comfortably around her. "Feel better?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She looked up at him again, this time serious. "Yes. Better." She gently touched his cheek with her fingertips. "You're good at that. Don't forget it."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Good." Jack ducked his head slightly. "I won't," he promised quietly. "But it only applies to certain people." It was quite clear from his thoughts that River was one of those few.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Should only apply to certain people. That's enough." She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him close. "Have to go. Hair appointment."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Okay. Have fun." He hugged her back. "But don't let them take to much off, your hair is gorgeous, and very you."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Will keep that in mind," River said, grinning. She stood up. "Oh, and I know something you don't remember," she added before turning away and leaving.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack stared at River's retreating form. "You and everyone else," he called after her, laughing slightly.