xXx
In the Course of a Moment: Moment II
xXx
There was much to be said about a moment.
So much could happen in a moment.
A life could be taken, a new one could be. A life could be ruined, or a life renewed.
There was much to be said about a moment.
So much could happen in a moment.
A whole life could change, for better or worse,
In the course of a moment.
xXx
Moment II: Torchwood
In the moment that followed the shot, Toshiko Sato realized her fate for the very first time and for the very last. Her destiny was splayed before her and she knew that no matter what she wished, so deeply and avidly, it was not with him.
She sat on the floor of the Autopsy Bay, surrounded in her own blood and the heavy scent of metal. It spoke to her of death and death alone.
His voice echoed in her ears then. Such a wonderful voice. "Tosh, come on, girl. Here we go. Right, you've done it, Tosh, you've got power! Are you okay?"
She tried not to show her pain. "Yeah, I'm fine." She reached up and pulled a tray of syringes down, her hands shaking.
"Right, what's going on there?" She could see him, in her mind. In her heart. It hurt so much.
"Just a... machine malfunction." How hard it was to lie to him. She wanted him to know that she was hurt, wanted him to care-care about her, for her.
"Are you hurt?" There was something in his voice that made her heart nearly stop.
"Who, me? No! I'm fine, it's just my arm." Just her arm. If her arm meant her heart, then it wasn't really a lie. Was it?
"Okay." His terse response seemed on edge, like he knew, somehow, that she was hurt. So badly hurt.
"I'm sorting out another painkiller," she spoke softly. Her chest burned with pain.
"Good." His response was sincere and it made her blush.
She stabbed the syringe into her with a gasp, then threw it aside, whispering okay.
"Come on, let's do this together." He was supporting her, not even knowing what she was going through. This was why she loved him.
"Right… okay…" She looked at the screen after a bleep sounded and felt her whole frame of mind sink ever farther. "Oh god. Owen..."
She knew she spoke to him more, could remember his fervent pleading of something else, something more. She felt her heart break over and over. She was facing her fate, here, bleeding to death in the place where he was most at home. And he was already dead and facing what could truly be the end of his road as well, but in a place that she felt at home.
If she had to die, here, she hoped he would never know. He deserved to think she could live on and find love.
He deserved to keep his faith in her and to let go of her. It was all she could give him, in the end.
In the course of a moment, they had found their destiny.
Separate, together, apart.
End of Moment II.
Moments III and IV will also be Torchwood and should be posted within the week. Thank you!
Beta'd by hannah-askance.