Masks - Chapter Four
Author: Milady Dragon
10 September 5192 (Earth Standard Date)
Gliese 581g
Hubworld
Daisy didn't know how long she stood outside Coulson's room, but she was enjoying herself.
Sure, Coulson couldn't tell her everything, and he certainly hadn't mentioned the names of his mate and his family – three kids and one on the way! And she didn't want to get into male pregnancy in the future! – but she still loved hearing everything that Coulson had to say. She could also tell that he was equally happy sharing with her what he could, as they waited to see if the scientists could work with the information she'd stolen from the very man she was keeping company.
Daisy wondered if the reason Coulson was alone now was because his family needed to stay away while she was there. It made her feel guilty about it, honestly, and a part of her thought she should probably locate the Doctor and ask for her trip now.
But she couldn't.
For one thing, she had no idea where he was. He could be anywhere in the building, and Daisy didn't have clearance to go anywhere else but where she was. She could go asking, but what if she stumbled into something she shouldn't? Not that Torchwood would kill her or anything, but Daisy knew for a fact that, back in her time, they'd had that fancy amnesia drug, and the one thing she wanted more than anything was to remember this trip. It didn't matter that she'd have to keep all this secret; she worked for SHIELD, after all, and was completely fine with hiding stuff others didn't need to know, although lying to her team rankled more than a little. The last thing she wanted to do was to forget, and sticking her nose in where it didn't belong was the fast way of losing everything she'd seen so far.
And another thing, she needed to see this through. She was there because she wanted to help, but the only thing she'd been able to do so far was a bit of breaking and entering. If she could be there for him, she would, remembering the times he'd been there for her.
It might have been a little selfish of her, but Daisy couldn't help it.
It didn't hurt that Coulson seemed to really want her there. He was genuinely glad of her presence. And, for that, she was incredibly grateful. It didn't matter that he'd had other reasons not to have the Doctor approach anyone else; Coulson had suggested her for the Doctor to come to, and that meant a lot to her.
Coulson was telling her a story about a mission he'd overseen when there was a polite throat clearing from behind Daisy. She turned, and took a step back in shock as she found a Kree standing there, wearing tactical gear with the Torchwood logo on it.
He was tall, blue, built like a brick shit-house, and highly intimidating, and it was all Daisy could do to rein in her power.
The last time she'd seen a Kree was when Vin-Tak, the Kree warrior, had come to Earth to investigate the activation of one of the Diviners. The Kree had thought the Inhumans a failed experiment, and it had taken her team and Lady Sif of Asgard to stop him from destroying her.
To say she didn't care at all for the Kree was an understatement.
Still, she managed not to create an earthquake, which she was very proud of.
"Director Coulson," the Kree said. He voice was deep and sonorous, and very respectful. "I am sorry to interrupt…"
"Yes, Commander Mar-Von?" Then Coulson started. "Oh, let me introduce you to a dear friend from the past, Daisy Johnson. Daisy, this is Commander Mar-Von; he's with security for Torchwood Tower."
The commander inclined his head in Daisy's direction. "Welcome to Torchwood, Ms Johnson."
For being so freaked out at seeing a Kree, Daisy was actually just a bit charmed by the large soldier. "Thanks, Commander Mar-Von."
"Director," the Kree turned back to Coulson, and it was odd to know that, while the title had remained the same, it was for a completely different organisation, "I wished to see how you were faring."
Coulson smiled slightly. "As well as I can be, Commander. They're working on a solution now, so hopefully I'll back on duty soon."
Dark eyes darted in Daisy's direction, then went back to Coulson. "I am aware. The…scientists requested a blood sample from me, for testing."
At that, Coulson flinched. It was a small movement, and Daisy might not have seen it at all if it hadn't registered with her power. The thing about being able to control all sorts of vibrations was that she could feel them when they happened around her.
"They explained to me why they needed the sample," Mar-Von continued. He sounded almost… disappointed, and Daisy felt her stomach lurch.
"I…would have told you," Coulson admitted, "but your government specifically said that such knowledge couldn't get out. It would possibly damage the treaty we were working on."
Daisy wanted to ask what this treaty was. Apparently, the Kree and humans were friends now, which was a good thing, but what the SSR, and then SHIELD, had done to that Kree body hadn't been good. She could certainly understand why that sort of thing wasn't anything anybody wanted to have shared.
Slowly, and hopefully unobtrusively, Daisy edged herself between Coulson and Mar-Von. Yes, she knew Coulson wasn't defenceless, but that didn't matter. She cared about him, and would always try to do her best to protect him, even this far into the future when he really didn't need her any longer.
Now, that thought hurt, and for the first time since setting foot onto Hubworld it really hit home to her that she was dead, and had been for thousands of years. A small shiver went up her spine at that thought, but she did her best to ignore it.
Mar-Von noticed, however, and he gave her a knowing look. "I have no intention of doing anything, Ms Johnson. In point of fact, I merely wished to apologise to the Director for my peoples' part in what occurred on his homeworld."
Okay, that was completely unexpected.
"I know the history of things, now," Mar-Von went on. "I know that my people…meddled, with Earth. If they had not taken it upon themselves to do what they had, then there would not have been one of my race left behind. And, even though this…experimentation…was done, it was not done with Director Coulson's permission. Am I correct in that?"
"You are," Coulson admitted. "In fact, I still have nightmares about asking to die."
"Then this abomination is not of your doing." Mar-Von stood even straighter, which Daisy hadn't thought was possible. "You are my Director, and it is my honour to serve here at Torchwood. Nothing will change that. I simply wished for you to be aware of it."
Okay, maybe Daisy needed to rethink the whole "Kree are assholes" notions she'd come away with when one had tried to kill her.
Coulson relaxed minutely. "I thank you for your service, Commander Mar-Von. You are a credit to your people."
That earned Coulson an actual bow, and then Mar-Von was gone in a swirl of black battle armour. "Well," he said, once Mar-Von had vanished down the hallway, "that was certainly…enlightening."
"Was that Commander Mar-Von I just passed in the hallway?" the Doctor asked, appearing suddenly and startling Daisy.
"Don't do that!" she scolded.
The Doctor looked confused. "Don't do what?"
Daisy sighed. "Oh, never mind." She might have just met him, but she figured it wouldn't do all that good to repeat herself.
"Do they have everything they need?" Coulson asked, in a very blatant attempt at bringing the Doctor's attention to him.
Daisy wanted to know who 'they' were, but decided she wouldn't get the answers even if she did ask.
"Yes, they believe so. Which is why I'm here." He turned to Daisy. "I was thinking, while we wait, that this would be a good time to give you that trip I promised you."
Daisy was about to argue when the Doctor put a hand up to stop her.
"We'll stay in this time zone," he promised. "That way we can be contacted when the science boffins know anything."
"You should go to Euros," Coulson suggested. "It's their Festival of the Masks."
"Oh yes!" the Doctor enthused, glancing at Daisy and grinning like a madman. "It's like Earth's Mardi Gras, only planet-wide and the Eurosians invite people from all over the Twelve Galaxies."
Daisy narrowed her eyes suspiciously, as a thought came to her. "You're trying to get rid of me."
The Doctor shook his head in denial, and then the gesture changed to a nod that was so vigorous Daisy was surprised he didn't get whiplash. "There's nothing you can do, and there are things you shouldn't see. So yes, taking you to Euros is now the plan."
"Starshine is playing," Coulson added.
That had the Doctor bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Excellent! I haven't been to a concert in ages!"
"Starshine is some sort of musical group?" Daisy asked, trying very hard not to be left behind in their conversation. She was a bit irritated that they were trying to send her off when she could be keeping Coulson company, but she did understand why. And, she had wanted to have one trip as a reward for getting that information on TAHITI. Not that she wouldn't have done it anyway, but she was always willing to accept bribes or make half-assed attempts at blackmail.
"Morgan and her band," Coulson explained. "Morgan is one of Jack and Ianto's children."
So, another of these Jack and Ianto children. And she was a singer? That made sense, considering what little she knew about dragon culture and their love of music. Ianto – the younger version – had actually sung to her when she'd seen him at Ddraig Llyn, back when she'd been trying to get a handle on her powers. He'd had an amazing singing voice, so she could certainly understand that talent being passed down to one of his kids.
"Starshine is one of the top bands in the Empire," the Doctor added eagerly. "Jack and Ianto are quite proud." Then he paused. "Is Nathan still playing roadie for them?"
Coulson nodded. "He is. He wanted to come back as soon as he heard about what happened, but…my mate convinced him to stay with the tour."
Okay, it looked like Daisy wasn't going to get the name of Coulson's mate, and she had to wonder why. What was so bad about her knowing who it was? Maybe he was somehow a little bothered by having a mate when he'd been so close to Clint Barton in the past? Surely, he would've realised that Clint wouldn't have minded Coulson moving on after so long…
"Besides," Coulson went on, "you might get word faster if you can get into the group. I can let them know you're coming, and someone could meet you. The venue's near Freedom Square, in Euros' capitol city."
"Excellent!" The Doctor rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Have someone meet us at there, then. Instead of taking the TARDIS, we can use the transmat." Then he frowned. "Is Euros on the transmat network?"
"It is."
"Wait," Daisy interrupted, "what's the transmat?"
"Matter transmission," the Doctor answered brightly. "The transmat network links many of the planets in the Empire, even though the majority of people go by spaceship. Transmatting is faster, but with faster than light travel it's more enjoyable to travel the long way. Besides, travel by transmat can be somewhat jarring for a lot of people."
Daisy could understand that. She figured it was like driving to a destination instead of flying: on a spaceship, at least you could see where you're going.
"Kinda like the transporters on 'Star Trek' then?"
The Doctor made a face. It was obvious he didn't think much of the notion, and Coulson laughed at his obvious disgust.
She was really looking forward to seeing another alien world. Yes, she was still really worried about Coulson, but both he and the Doctor were right: there really wasn't anything she could do at the moment. Plus, she really did suspect that she was the reason Coulson's family weren't visiting.
So, it was for the best that she take a step back. And, if Coulson was suggesting she visit this Euros place, then it must be worth it. She trusted him, as much as he'd trusted her to commit an act of theft in order to help save his life.
"Alright," she cut in, grinning, "I guess we're going to Euros."
