The Perk: Tuesday afternoon

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

It was freezing today, so when Jack returned Rose's call, he told her if she wanted him, she could find him at The Perk.

He snagged a booth by the window in which to drink coffee and munch on a muffin while he flicked through the homework for Spytech tomorrow. (Yeah, he was doing homework, but shhhh, don't tell anyone.)

A ray of sunshine snuck past the clouds and through the window, bathing the booth in warmth, and Jack relaxed, feeling extremely mellow.

[ooc: Jack's here for a couple of people specifically, but open of course.]

Comments

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River had taken a walk into town in the afternoon, which was a little early for her meeting with Kaylee, but gave her plenty of time to wander around. The wandering might be aimless, but her thoughts were not. She had found a clue to her nightmares, and kept going over it again and again, wondering what to expect to find.

Walking past the Perk she noticed Jack, which was a perfect coincidence. Quickly sneaking inside, she took the seat opposite him. "Got my message?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack smiled at her as she sat down. "River, hi," he said quietly. "Yes." He studied her, wondering if she was all right. "Miranda?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She nodded. "That's the place. The blue hedgehogs told me." She reached out and nicked a bit of his Muffin.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"The blue hedgehogs?" he asked, pushing the plate towards her. Anyone else, he'd be looking at them strangely, but this was River. He expected her to be different. "Did they tell you where it was?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Not specifically, but it should be in my universe," she said, picking up another piece of the muffin and putting it in her mouth. "I'm going there to find out. Need people to go with me though."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack's thoughts went very still and he flattened his hands on the table, head bowed.

"Want me?" he finally asked, tilting his head to look at her.

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

Rose entered the Perk and the moment she spotted Jack, the tension she didn't know she'd been feeling eased. She approached him, "Hey, stranger."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack looked up from his homework and smiled, showing no sign of the mild suspicion he'd been feeling since Friday. Or his intention to figure out why she'd reacted so strongly. "Hey, Rose. Grab a seat and a coffee, and I'll demonstrate my solidity for you."

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

She did so without second's prompting, but ordering tea instead of coffee. Better relaxed than tense.

"Please, do demonstrate this solidity, I think a lot of people besides me like you solid anyway. Could keep an eye on you better."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack leaned across the table and took her hand between both of his. "See? Solid." He grinned. "And weren't you worried that I wasn't going to come back," he said lightly, but his eyes were sharp. "It was very sweet."

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

Ah. She knew she'd pay for the way she'd reacted to Jack's condition. But she hadn't spent all the time with the Doctor and Torchwood and not learn a thing or two about dissembling.

"I could even say, endearing." She said with a smile then added, more sincerely. "Glad to have you back with us solids."

[teeth-and-curls.livejournal.com]

The Doctor peered into the Perk with a happy look on his face.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack glanced up as the door opened and grinned. "That's quite a scarf," he called out.

[teeth-and-curls.livejournal.com]

"I always believe in not doing anything in halves," the Doctor said, entering the coffee shop proper. "Don't mind me, I'm just being nosy."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Me neither. And nosy's the best way to be," Jack laughed. "Otherwise you never find out anything. I'm Jack. Jack Harkness, who's going to be nosy back at you and ask who you are."

[teeth-and-curls.livejournal.com]

The Doctor snapped his fingers. "I've seen you before," he said. "Student at the school."

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"H'lo, Doctor." Rose greeted, smiling.

[teeth-and-curls.livejournal.com]

"Hello, Rose," the Doctor said. "And how does the morning find you?"

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"It finds me very well." Rose replied, "And how does it find you? No intergalactic threats in the offing?"

[teeth-and-curls.livejournal.com]

"Not a one," the Doctor said. "At least, none that I've seen."

[mildly-super.livejournal.com]

Clark had spent the morning extracting Ernest from one of the clothes dryers. Don't ask. He was now ready for some caffinated hot chocolate.

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

Rose blinked. Blimey. Jack, the Doctor and now Clark.

"Clark, fancy meeting you here." She said, grinning.

[mildly-super.livejournal.com]

"Rose," he smiled. "It's a pleasant bonus."

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"Very pleasant!" She said then tiptoed to kiss him briefly on the lips.

[mildly-super.livejournal.com]

Clark kissed her back. "So, how is the visit from the School board going so far?"