Chapter 4: Jessica Robinson.
She walked out of the kitchen, making her way to the front door of the flat. She caught sight of herself in the mirror, she smiled. Her hair was soft, straight and brown. And although it wasn't properly styled, it fell around her face in an elegantly tousled fashion, resting just below her shoulders. Her rich chocolate coloured eyes twinkled in the lampshade light. And her face, although still pale, glowed, a tinge of pink spread across her cheeks as it started to dawn on her; she was finally home. She twirled round in her new outfit; mid blue skinny jeans, some brand new deep red converse, and a pale gray vest top. She didn't need a cardigan; it was too warm for that, even though it wasn't sunny. She sighed and proceeded to the front door.
She walked over the road, back to the 'Welcome to Wales, the heart of Torchwood.' sign to meet the doctor, who was waiting impatiently, tapping his shoes on the floor, looking round for any sign of her. She laughed silently, could that man not keep still for 10 minutes? Glancing up he spotted Abbie, his eyes lit up and he ran over to her, eager to get moving.
'Now... about that food' she grinned, turning and pointing to the nearest cafe, 'let's go!' The Doctor beamed at her, and they walked over to BBQD and stepped inside. The cafes interior was not dissimilar to the interior of the flats, and shops. The walls were painted with a white-ish colour, and the table counter, chairs and floor were all made of similar metals. It was impeccably clean, and incredibly busy. The Doctor and Abbie had arrived with a group of teenagers, and a young man and his colleague. Nobody would notice them entering. They sat down on the nearest table, by a window overlooking the streets, opposite the flat where Abbie had got changed. Abbie looked through the menu, deciding what she wanted, looking up, she realised the doctor wasn't looking at a menu.
'Aren't you going to eat?' she asked, putting the menu down.
'Nope.' He looked at her, gesturing for her to continue looking at the menu.
'Don't you eat?' she laughed, 'I can't possibly eat food you're buying me if you don't have anything!'
He looked at her again, this time more intently. He was obviously not listening to their conversation. He blinked suddenly shaking his head. 'What did you say? I started to think. There's something not right about...' he stared at her; his eyes looked as if they could barely see her, like she wasn't even there. He frowned slightly before continuing, 'this place.'
She laughed oblivious to his intent stares, 'You're mad! Now what are you having? You have to go up to the counter to order, this isn't the 23rd century you know!'
'Chips, I'll have chips. Chips are cool. Had a friend once, she loved chips.' He looked sad for a moment, then his face snapped into a grin.
'ok' she smiled, 'chips it is.' She took his credit card and he watched her walk over to the counter. Something was wrong. It was only an hour ago that he had met such a dishevelled, afraid girl, all alone below the clouds, and now she was so happy, easing back into her life. He frowned in thought. It was too quick. The way she was acting was like she had never had to spend 8 years on her own down there. The way she had taken 10 minutes to shower, dry, and change. Too quick. He bounced up out of his seat and jogged over to her, where she was standing in the Que.
'Abbie, who are you? Where did you come from?'
'Doctor!' she frowned, 'You can't just leave our table, now we won't have anywhere to sit', and she lifted her head up in frustration. She groaned, 'Great. Looks like we're having taken out now.'
He closed his eyes, and hit his forehead. 'No. No. No. No! This isn't right, none of it is! Who are you?'
She looked at him, concerned for a moment. 'Abbie, well, my full name is Abigail Marshall, I spent my childhood in-' she cut off, her face a picture of shock and wonder. She was staring just over The Doctors shoulder. Before he had chance to turn round she brushed past him.
'Jessica! Is that you?' she exclaimed.
'Jessica?' he heard voices mumble in questioning.
'Erm, sorry, love, I think you've got the wrong person' he heard a young, female, familiar voice answer.
'No! It's definitely you! Jessica Robinson! We knew each other as children, back in the-' Abbie was cut short by the second voice.
'Abigail! Abigail Marshall!' The female voice exclaimed. The Doctor span round, walking over to the table where Abbie stood. He stopped suddenly, staring at the young woman sat between two men, the woman Abbie knew. He couldn't believe it; he would recognise those blonde curls anywhere, even if they were a little lighter than normal. He, however, could only just recognise the young, beautiful face talking to Abbie. He stared in wonder at the woman she had just called Jessica Robinson. She wasn't Jessica Robinson; her name was Melody Pond.