Sorry this has taken sooooooooo very long to update.
I got absolutely stuck with this timeline, then I was completely distraction by another story I'm writing and then it was the Glee Live tour and all I have been about to think about has been Glee stories (which I've forbidden myself from starting because I currently have an even amount of completed and WIP stories and that's only changing in one way).
Chapter 7
"Call General Hammond see what he can dig up on Mrs Noble," Jack ordered Sam,
"Aren't you going to call Timmy?" Daniel asked causing Jack to shudder,
"Not if I can help it; mans a menace,"
"He wasn't that bad," Daniel defended half-heartedly.
A phone call later they had an address, directions and a promise for more information soon. After making a quick stop for food they found a bus stop. It was just past six so everyone was rushing around trying to get home. Suddenly while looking at bus routes they heard Mrs Noble screech behind them,
"I told them I did; don't know why I keep going back to that place they never get it right. I know it's convenient and cheap but I'm beginning to think it's not worth it: every time Donna sends you a funny picture I have to visit them twice. And that one with the ponytail he gives me the creeps … I know dad … just waiting for a bus. Did the garage call? If I have to spend another day on these buses! … Thank goodness. Are you going to look at your stars tonight? … Alright but take care its near-freezing already. Is Geoff home yet? … Did Donna phone? … Oh that girl honestly what is she thinking she needs to think about settling down … I know dad… alright then … bye," throughout the phone conversation SG-1 cringed at her loudness. Jack decided to wait and speak to her in her home. A bus arrived and while she pushed her way up the stairs Jack motioned to his team to stay between the two doors,
"I don't know what's worse this or the underground," Daniel said adjusting his glasses after someone knocked them lopsided trying to get off the bus. A young woman stood wedged between Sam and Daniel smiled at the archaeologist,
"The underground; at least on here we can open windows and get some air," she said with a heavy accent,
"I hadn't considered that … sorry," Daniel was shoved into her as a larger-than-average woman pushed past to get off,
"Not your fault, so are you from America?" she asked,
"Yes and you're from Scotland right?"
"Good guess most Ame…people guess Ireland, or Australia,"
"Most people guess Canadians,"
"I cheated … I saw the flag badge on your friend," she nodded towards Jack.
Daniel and the girl, Katrina, carried on their conversation until it was time for her to get off,
"It was nice talking to you, don't mind Londoners they're alright unless rushing about," she said smiling as she got off,
"Danny, Danny, Danny," Jack said shaking his head,
"What?" Sam sniggered as Jack explained why her hand had got lower on his back even though more space had become available. Daniel blushed but couldn't argue after finding her business card in his back pocket. SG-1 followed their target off the bus but waited at the sheltered bus stop because they wanted to hear back from General Hammond.
The sun had set over an hour ago and a cold wind howled around them. In the twenty minutes they sat there it rained, snowed and then there was a hailstorm. Luckily they had changed at the hotel so were wearing mountain gear. They did struggle to hear General Hammond on speakerphone when he called;
"Mrs Sylvia Noble lives with her father, husband and daughter. Wilfred Mott; born in Greenwich, London, December 1929. He joined the army in the later stages of World War Two despite being underage. After he returned from Palestine in 1948 he married his childhood sweetheart Joan Smith. A year later their daughter Sylvia was born. Mrs Mott died in childbirth in 1953: the baby also died and Mr Mott never remarried. Miss Mott married Geoffrey Noble in 1970. Two years on and their only child, Donna was born. The four have lived together in the same house for over twenty years." George paused,
"There is nothing else that stands out; a couple of parking tickets, one drunk and disorderly arrests a couple of years ago: nothing to indicate what you're walking into."
"Ok sir thank you," Jack hung up and faced his teammates,
"By all accounts this is just an average family but stay sharp alright," he said and headed off down the road. Not having to go through customs meant Jack and Sam still had a handgun each but they made no moves towards them. Standing on the doorstop Jack pressed the doorway twice and then took a step back,
"Who could that be now?" Jack plastered a smile on his face at the screech he unfortunately recognised,
"Yes?" the door was pulled opened and Sylvia Noble Nee Mott stood expectantly,
"Good evening Ma'am my name is Jack this is Daniel, Sam and Murray," Jack paused,
"And?"
"We were hoping to speak to you about a photo you had developed last year,"
"Last year? What photo? And how do you know what photos I've got?"
"A guy from the photo shop you use published it in a magazine. When we spoke to him he confessed it was yours …"
"The cheek … that sneaky …"
"We were hoping to speak to the person who took it. Would that be you?"
"How should I know … I don't even know what photo you liked … anyway why do you even want to know? Who are you?"
"We . . ." Jack took a little step to the right and looked back at his team. Why did they not plan what they were going to say?
"We work for a rival magazine and really wanted to see if you had any others," Daniel spoke up, it wasn't possible to be impervious to Daniel but Sylvia Noble came close.
"What photo are you talking about?" Jack handed over the copy General Hammond had given them,
"Sam here just loved it," Daniel leaned a tad closer with a whispered conspiracy,
"I don't really know what it is actually, do you?" Daniel's voice had a butter-wouldn't-melt quality and the question was deceptively innocent,
"Oh I've not seen that one; my daughter must have sent it to my dad. I get his pictures done for him. Who knows what that is or why she sent it. I really don't know what she's doing now or where she is." Mrs Noble said and handed the photo back to Daniel,
"May we speak to your daughter?"
"She's not here."
"Ms I sorry the store wasn't real clear on your name, gave us your address easily enough, think Teal'C scared them," Daniel smiled apologetically,
"Mrs Noble," the woman folded her arms across her chest, Daniels charm was fading,
"Right I'm so sorry, Mrs Noble do you have any idea where your daughter might be?"
"I told you no,"
"Would we be able to speak to your husband or father?"
"My husband is still at work and do you really want to disturb an old man with this?" she asked harshly,
"It's a good photo – Perhaps it could even lead to a permanent job," Sylvia's eyes lit up,
"No more temping," she said to herself,
"Alright my dad will be on the hill looking at the stars. Donna often visits him. Don't press him!" she warned,
"Thank you very much," Daniels' smile was genuine.
The four members of SG-1 wondered up the hill and discussed how normal Sylvia seemed. They all agreed she was human … probably.
"And annoying," Jack added and continued to berate the woman as they walked up the road towards Wilfred and hopefully an explanation. Sam, Daniel and Teal'C easily tuned him out.
There were no clouds above them anymore but no more than two or three stars were visible. Sam stared upwards trying to calculate if they had visited them. It was a short walk and they easily spotted Wilfred seating alone in front of a telescope listening to headphones. They were heading up from behind him but Jack slid round to his right so it didn't appear like they were sneaking about. He motioned Daniel and Sam to go first,
"Sir?" Daniel tested gently to see if he could hear them but there was no reply. With his eye glued to the telescope Daniel looked helplessly at Sam,
"Err you could wave a hand in front of the lens," she suggested undecidedly,
"I don't want to scare him," Daniel said right as the pensioner pulled his eyes away from the telescope and noticed them,
"Arh!" he cried out stumbling to his feet. He took a step back before calming himself and removed his headphones,
"Sorry, sorry," Daniel held his arms out peacefully,
"Cor blimey you scared the living daylights out of me!" he said worryingly holding his chest with one hand and the back of his chair with the other,
"Sorry Mr Mott your daughter told us we would find you up here,"
"Sylvia? Is everything alright?" he took a step forward but kept his grip on the chair. He ran his eyes over SG-1 raising an eyebrow at Teal'C but saying nothing,
"Yes sorry, everything is fine my name is Daniel this is Sam, Jack and Murray. We were hoping you could tell us how to contact your granddaughter,"
"Donna? What do you want to speak to her for?" there was curiosity as well as worry at Daniel's question,
"We were hoping she could help us with an urgent matter,"
"Donna help … how could Donna help you? You're Americans aren't you … what could Donna help you with?"
"This photo she sent you we were wondering if she had any others."
"And all four of you came to find her?" he asked sceptically,
"It might lead to a permanent job for her," Daniel thought Wilfred would also be enticed by a good job for Donna however the elderly man didn't seem as eager as his daughter had been,
"What photo would that be?" he asked but with no real enthusiasm like he could guess which one they meant. Daniel handed him the photo. Wilfred moved closer and brought the photo up close to his face. When he saw which photo they had he frowned,
"I keep getting pictures like that but I don't know what they are. Donna reckons they are just one of her mates messing about."
"You've never seen this picture before?"
"Not one like that no. Got another one last week looked like the arctic or somewhere like that … almost like an alien world it did."
"And Miss Noble doesn't know where they are coming from?"
"No she just blames one of her friends. Said they've been messing about with a computer and sending her made up pictures." Well that made things difficult: if they told him they knew it wasn't just a computer-generated image he would want to know how they knew.
"Could we speak to her?"
"She'll be out down the pub right now with them friends of hers,"
"What pub would that be?"
"The Old Ship, on Upper Mall: it's about a mile … that way, down on the river."
"Ok thank you,"
SG-1 started walking in the direction of the pub,
"Danny can you find Upper mall on the map?" The archaeologist passed the photo to Sam then unfolded the London A-Z map and looked it over while walking.
"Mr Mott did not seem to recognise the photo at all," Teal'C said from his position at Daniel's side.
"Could he have been acting?" Sam was walking next to Jack in front but turned slightly to speak to everyone,
"No … I don't think so," as Daniel answered Teal'C grabbed his arm and steered the archaeologist through the allotment gateway (instead of straight into the metal barrier).
"But it's a possibility," she pressed,
"I suppose so. Thanks Teal'c." They stopped while waiting for a route,
"So do we think this Donna will know it's a photo?" Sam said looking down at the picture in her hand,
"Even if she does she'll probably claim the same thing," Jack muttered in frustration,
"And to get either of them to talk about it we have to admit we know it's a photo and if we do that . . ." Sam summed up the situation.
"Got it; down this road, across the high street, down any one of quite a few little roads to a really big road and along a little bit."
"After you." Jack offered the map reader and the four started to walk down the wet pavement – small puddles were starting to freeze and the wind began to howl around them again. Daniel and Teal'C were walking alongside each other in front of Jack and Sam.
"No way is General Hammond going to allow us to give up anything classified." Jack said firmly,
"I think we can trust him … at least" Daniel said leaping over a large puddle and landing ankle deep in the middle of it,
"It's not a matter of trust Daniel it's a matter of spilling classified data." Jack said rolling his eyes and hiding a smile,
"We're talking about one old man." As he spoke Daniel hopped about on one leg and shook the other to try and air dry his shoes.
"Is he though? Just a harmless old guy? If he recognised the photo he lied about it … he is not exactly trustworthy," Jack questioned thoughtfully,
"He was genuinely concerned about his granddaughter. And I don't think he was lying." Daniel commented, now leaping about on the other leg,
"Because of us?" Sam asked,
"Maybe … or he was just an old man concerned with family," Daniel suggested and resigned himself to wet feet for the time being with a sigh,
"If he was worried because of us you know that makes it worse," Jack stated,
"Why would Wilfred-Mott fear us?" Teal'C asked Daniel,
"Well if there is something … alien going on here they would fear being discovered by the American military. There have been a lot of movies that depict peaceful aliens being dissected by the military … usually our military,"
Sam tried to hide a smile at the look of patriotic outrage on Jacks' face while Teal'C looked thoughtful,
"So this makes it more likely that Wilfred-Mott is not who he claims to be and lying about the photograph?" he concluded,
"Yes,"
"Not necessarily,"
"Daniel?"
"Jack?"
"Daniel?"
"I don't think he was lying,"
"So you've said but maybe he was and the three of them are some sort of aliens who can help us,"
"So what; you think they have lived on Earth … in England … even fighting in World War Two since at least 1928 but happen to leave briefly to visit a planet about to be swallowed by a black hole? To take a picture he then got developed by a photo shop?" Sam seemed to be siding with Daniels POV.
"Maybe?"
"Might that planet have been their home world?" At Teal'C's suggestion Jack jerked round, snapping his fingers up at the man,
"That's a thought!"
"That doesn't explain how he forgot or if they were so technologically advanced how they couldn't stop Mrs Mott from dying in childbirth?"
"Dang it Daniel,"
"Well . . ."
"You got an idea Carter?"
"What if she was human? But he wasn't … or was from a different human planet . . ." Sam shot a nervous look at Daniel worried she might be verging on a painful subject.
"I think this is all baseless speculation," definitely painful,
"We can't rule it out Danny," however sympathetic Jack was trying to be, Sam and Teal'C could see the widower was going to be stubborn about this,
"Nothing in their files even hints at any of this,"
"That doesn't mean we shouldn't consider the possibilities,"
"How are we going to find out?" Sam asked before the two men could start arguing. They each thought about her question.
"I guess we see how Donna reacts and they maybe we could just trust them . . ."
"Daniel we can't tell either of them anything,"
"I know but maybe we could ask them to trust us and say it's a matter of life and death,"
"Hope for the best?" Sam asked with a grin,
"Is that even a plan?" Jack queried,
"I thought it was our SOP," Sam complained through a smile and Jack and Daniel both laughed.
The team changed the subject as they approached the surprisingly busy Chiswick High Street. As they passed a small pub the door flung open and a man propelled through Daniel to be caught by Teal'C,
"… And stay out!" someone from inside shouted,
"No helping sssome people," the man slurred and patted Teal'C's chest,
"Nice catch big guy,"
"Are you alright Daniel?" Jack offered a hand to the archaeologist, who had half-collapsed in a heap against a barrier,
"Fine," he said standing, straightening his glasses (again) and sending a frown at the drunken stranger who was still against Teal'C.
The team started walking again,
"Where're you guys going?" the stranger asked as he was detached from Teal'C's chest,
"None of your business," Jack said bluntly and joined Daniel up front. The stranger danced between Teal'C and Sam and weaved around Jack,
"Don't be like that, Silver Fox, it wasn't my fault I ran into your boy here," he said from Jack's side while running a hand inches from Daniels arm. He seemed too steady on his feet to be as drunk as he sounded,
"Get lost," Jack said losing patience,
"Can't I buy you all a drink … as a thank you for saving me?"
"We didn't do it deliberately," Jack said harshly,
"To apologise then, for running into Blue Eyes,"
"No thank you," Daniel interjected before Jack could get really angry,
"What about you Sexy Blond?" the stranger dropped back next to Sam half-startling the four who had been convinced the guy was gay,
"No," she answered brusquely,
"Perhaps I'll see you later tonight, or something," the stranger stopped, watching their backs with a knowing smirk,
"God I hope not," Jack muttered,
"The name's Captain Jack Harkness," he called out, suddenly sounding a lot less drunk. When Jack turned around to yell back how little he cared the man was gone,
"Weirdo," Jack muttered.
After finally reaching The Old Ship they looked around the busy place; Teal'C and Sam took the last free table by a steamed up window, Daniel stood in front of a lit fireplace trying to dry his shoes while Jack went to the bar and asked for four beers. A couple of guys who overheard laughed and the bar tender had to hide his own smile,
"We got a few for you to choose from," he said a very strong accent made it hard for Jack to understand. He figured it out when the barman waved a hand along the bar where various taps sat.
"Err," Jack scratched his head and then pointed to the glass of one of the locals sitting at the bar,
"Four of those please,"
"Guinness, right you are,"
"Don't suppose you know if Donna Noble is here tonight?"
"Donna you say … noisy red-head? That way," the bar man pointed to the back.
Jack gathered up the drinks and walked to where his team were sat looking around.
"Bar man says she's round the back."
"Are we going to go with the magazine ploy again?" Daniel asked,
"Seems to work why?"
"I don't think that'll work here,"
"Why not?"
"Jack look at all the people here – young adults out for a good time. I don't think she'll care,"
"Who would turn down the possibility of a payout?" Sam asked,
Daniel pointed around to where boys were flirting with girls, girls were flirting with boys and PDA's were everywhere,
"Are you suggesting we pimp you out Daniel?" Jack asked smirking especially when the archaeologist went bright red,
"Jack!"
"Ok how about you and Sam go try the magazine ploy and Teal'C and I stay here as backup?"
Daniel frowned but nodded; he took a sip from his beer and joined Sam. As they walked away from the table they heard Teal'C ask Jack,
"What is this pimping you speak of?" they shared a smile as Jack spluttered.
As the two rounded the corner of the bar she winched at the sudden increase in chatter. People wearing incredibly few clothes for the conditions outside were crowded around small tables overflowing with glasses and bottles. She easily picked out Miss Noble – a loud red haired woman chugging a shot down with the rest of her friends.
"This way," Sam said.
"Company!" one of the woman round the table shouted as Sam and Daniel approached the table,
"Yummy company," another said smacking their lips together and running their eyes up and down both Americans.
"Hey I thought we promised to be exclusive," a third woman said and grabbed the speaker in a lip lock,
"Neryis not at the table!"
"Whoop, whoop!" one of the guys on a joint table yelled,
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY G!" someone another table suddenly screamed,
"We were hoping to speak to Miss Noble," Sam asked a little desperately,
"Tha'sss me,"
"We were hoping you could tell us more about this picture?" Daniel asked already sensing the question was fruitless but handing it over,
"I didn't take that cutie,"
"Your grandfather said you sent it to his phone?"
"Not me lovely … some one has been nicking my phone and messing about with it … I reckon they're jealous cause I got a camera on it … did you wanna see? We could use it to take pictures of each other," Donna flirted with Daniel in between glaring at one of the kissing woman,
"…" Daniel gulped and Sam hid a smile,
"May I see your phone?" she asked as Daniel stuttered out a reply,
"I…I'm married err … does anyone here recognise this picture?" Daniel showed it around the table,
Sam examined the phone while Daniel faced down the drunken horde.
"Why do you wanna know?"
"We were hoping to publish it in a magazine … if it's what we think it is,"
"What do you think it is … looks like a black mess to me?"
"We think it's a black hole …"
"Forget what it is how much are you gonna pay?"
"Ask Neryis she's the one who keeps nicking my …"
"I did not take your dumb phone!"
"So no one here recognises this photo?" Sam finally decided to back her teammate and spoke in her usual no-nonsense way,
"No,"
"No ma'am ooooo spank me,"
"I could … for some dough,"
"How would someone even take a picture of a black hole?" Donna's awkward question drowned out the goofy responses,
"We … we're not sure … that's another reason we want to find whoever took the phone," Sam eventually answered,
"Maybe they used a really big telescope dumbo," Neryis suggested,
"And then used a phone camera?" Donna replied scornfully,
"Well I don't know,"
"Maybe they snuck aboard a NASA rocket?"
"It's probably just the floor,"
"Are you saying I can't take a picture?"
"They probably took it from the TV – Star Trek or whatever,"
"Maybe they made it on their computer,"
"What if they found a black hole nearby?"
"In London?"
"Why not?"
"Do you know anything about black holes?"
"A shot?"
"Idiot!"
"Maybe an alien took it,"
Sam and Daniel gave up as the drunkards continued to brain storm.
"Well they've never seen it before," Daniel said back at the table.
"Are you sure?" Jack looked doubtful,
"None of them had any idea what it even was!"
"You agree Sam?"
"Yes Sir. I checked the phone but there's no evidence it's even the phone that sent the picture."
"Great. What now?"
"…" silence met Jacks question.
The silence dragged as they each sipped their beer.
"What a sullen bunch,"
"Gen … Timmy! How did you find us?"
"I have my ways,"
"I know no one was following us," Jack muttered frowning,
"Actually I just found out where Miss Noble would be right now and chanced you'd be here,"
"How did you …"
"I'm guessing your quest isn't going too well?"
"… Know we wanted to speak to Donna?"
"I received some information … just this afternoon actually which led me to believe you would,"
"What information?"
"Sorry that's classified,"
"Oh come on!"
"Sorry Colonel. I can tell you if you come back and speak to Mr Mott in oh June … 2008 you might find he has a different answer to give you,"
"What?"
"Enjoy your stay in London gentlemen, ma'am." The old man stood up slowly and left,
"Well that was cryptic,"
"Understatement Sam,"
"Jack!" Daniel cried out pointing to where the Brigadier was shaking the hand of that drunken stranger …
"Is that …?"
"Captain Jack Harkness!"
WC – 4,153
AN
Sorry if there was an excess of gay/lesbian references but it's London Pride tomorrow.
It's also my sisters BD today (grin&wave)
