Chapter 13: Face to Face

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight/ R. Davies et al, BBC Comm. own rights to Dr. Who

Leah was by my side shortly. "What a rush, huh?"

"Hold on … you were nearly, bloody well burnt to a cinder."

"So what? It didn't happen, did it? Score one for the shape-shifter. I mean, gawd, I met the King of England, Henry VIII, for Pete's sake."

"Oi, I know. And I believe he fancied you too."

Leaning her back against the control console, she quipped, "Ya think? I ruined his plans of seduction, tho'. He wasn't gonna lord it over me. Arrogant prick!"

I chuckled at her enthusiasm, then turned to my computer station.

"Whaddaya doin'?"

"Checking history. No mention of the witch that escaped her death. Ah, well, even so, they were a superstitious lot. When you think about it though, the Tudors ultimately furthered science and the arts."

"Yeah, swords, and corsets and poisonous potions."

"You forgot Shakespeare, Lady Leah."

A comment accompanied her eye-roll. "Oh, gawd, don't call me that."

Looking over my shoulder, she asked, "So where to now, spaceman?"

"It's a surprise."

"Great, I love surprises."

"Oh, you'll love this one, all right. By the way, did you ever think what it would be like to meet your ancestors?"

Her mouth dropped open as she whirled about, clutching the console in a death grip. Then she sputtered, "Are you serious?"

"Well, do you?"

"Is the sky blue?"

"Well, actually, the light from the sun …"

"Stop, please."

"Okay then. Next stop, ."

% % %% %

We plunked down in La Push just before dark. The place didn't look to be much different—a few less houses, but a lot more boats and fishing nets.

Doctor stayed in the TARDIS while I scurried out the door. "Leah," he shouted behind me. "Hold on … who will you visit?"

Halting for a moment, I faced him. "My great grandma Young. My dad always said I looked a lot like her."

"I guess you'll find out for sure now, eh? Wait—let me tweak the time adjuster. When was she born?"

"1929, I think."

Fiddlin' with one of the many knobs, he declared, "There, done. Oh, and don't be mucking about searching for an old lady. She should be about your age today. It's 1949, and they're celebrating Quileute Days. Good luck finding her."

I raised both hands. "Got my fingers crossed."

I didn't know where to look for her, so I stopped a fisherman, and asked for the Young's residence. I was anxious to meet her. I never got to see her in this life. She died before I was born.

The house I was directed to was empty, dammit, but I could see flames in the distance—a bonfire—burning in the very same spot where we always held it. Like a moth to that flame, I trotted over to the assembly, and scrutinized all the faces. Incidentally, all eyes were staring at me, and not 'cuz of the clothes I was wearin'—Doctor had an appropriate buckskin outfit for me to put on—but 'cuz of the family resemblance.

I heard her before I saw her; the laugh almost an echo of my own. It was startling to realize that she was my great grandmother. The same features … the dark eyes, and hair mirrored mine, taking my breath away. Dad was right; the resemblance was striking.

Slowly moving forward, I finally sat down beside her. She looked up at me, eyes round as chocolate donuts.

"Yeah, I know," I said in Quileute. "They say everyone has a twin somewhere, so I guess this is the day you meet yours."

I put out my hand, "Leah Clearwater."

"Ruth Marie Young," she replied, taking my hand. "If you don't mind my asking, where are you from? Your accent isn't from here."

I never thought of that. Of course, slang would be thrown into the language, or phrases corrupted, so, I lied, "No, I've lived in Hoquiam for a while."

That seemed to satisfy her, 'cuz she changed the subject. "Are you here visiting someone?"

"Yeah." You for one. Oh, gawd, I had to think quick. "The Atearas." There was bound to be one of them around.

One hand went to her mouth. "Oh, I'm so sorry. They've all gone to a wedding in Seattle. You can stay with us if you'd like. I'm sure my mother won't mind."

"That's okay, I'll just stay with another relative."

A hush suddenly settled over the people as the chief began expounding on the history of the tribe, and of the spirit warrior, Taha Aki. I took a long gander at the speaker. Was that Ephraim Black? I couldn't remember the genealogy of this place. I should've paid better attention to the stories handed down.

Ruth canted her head toward me. "Do you believe any of this nonsense?"

If she only knew. She was sitting next to a spirit warrior right this minute. "You'd better believe I do."

When the remaining embers gave up the last snap, crackle and pop, the group began the trek back to their various homes. I said goodbye to my great grandmother, my heart full of gratitude to the Doctor for bringin' me here.

I found my way back to the TARDIS, the Doctor smiling broadly as I entered.

"So, it went well, I take it."

"Yeah, it was … I can't even put it into words."

"Brilliant!"

% % % % %

Over dinner, Leah was still on about her visit with the past. I decided then and there to give her one last hurrah before we had to part.

"You told me that you really missed your father. What would you say if I allowed you to see him one more time?"

Her fork dropped to the plate with a loud clink. "What?"

"Well … I could arrange it. That is, it would have to be a time when your former self wasn't gadding about."

Her eyes teared up, as she said, "Let me think about it, Doc. I'll get back to ya later on tonight."

Leah stared at the console, saying, "I was trying to remember a time when I wasn't with my dad, then whammo, it came to me. One July 4th, two years ago, my mom and Seth went over to the Black's to set up for a party. Dad was goin' fishin'; I lied, and told Mom, I was goin' with him. Instead, I went to see Sam. Dad thought I was at the Black's with my mom, and she thought I went fishin' with Dad.

"They were both so busy that day, that they never had time to find out where the hell I'd actually gotten to.

"I wish now, that I'd been in that boat with him. I never dreamed he'd be taken away from me in six short months."

"Well, then, now's your chance. Do you want to go right this minute? I can arrange it—bish-bosh."

"Can I sleep on it tonight?"

"Wise move."

The TARDIS did her timey-wimey thing, and I was out the door, bright and early. I waited around, hiding from view 'til I saw myself climbing out the window on the way to the Uley's. That was freaky to say the least.

Mom and Seth got in the car, and so, I walked on down to the backyard, where Dad left our boat, already hitched to the Ateara's Tundra. There he was, about to step up into the cab. I almost choked on my tears.

"Dad," I yelled. "Don't go yet. I want to go with you."

"Eh? I thought you were headed to the Black's with your mother."

"No, I decided I'd rather be with you."

"Hop aboard then. The fish are waiting."

Dad turned to me. "What brought this on?"

"Whaddya mean?"

"I mean … I guessed you'd be sneaking over to the Uley's place to see Sammie."

"You knew, huh?"

"I'm not blind yet, Lee."

"Didn't say you were. Anyway, I've been thinking about seein' another guy."

"Good, glad to hear it. You're too good for that Uley kid."

"By the way, can I meet this other guy?"

"Not yet." Not yet; not ever, Dad. I wish you could.

Baiting the hook, I asked, "Hey, Dad, why is it that we have no photos of great grandma Young?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment, then said, "Hmmmn … there used to be a beautiful framed portrait of her, in that sepia color. I think that's what they call it. Anyway, it was destroyed when the house burned to the ground. You know, I've told you once or twice how much you look like her. You're probably sick of hearing me say that, eh?"

"No, I love to hear it."

Dad reeled in his line; it was empty. He leaned toward me. "Can you shove the bucket a little closer to me? Damn thing ran off with the bait. Clever little sucker."

He whistled as he re-baited his hook.

"Can I ask you something else?"

"Sure, fire away," he said, while casting the fishing line into the murky water.

I followed suit, and cast my line on the opposite side of the boat.

"Are you happy? What I mean is, was there anything in your life that you really wanted to do, but didn't get to?"

"Oh, let's see now. At one time I was in a band called, The Rowdies."

"Nooo … are you kiddin' me? I didn't know that. How come you never said anything about it?"

"Aah, I didn't want to boast, but you know, we were a real hot commodity for a few months, even got a gig on the radio."

"Well, what happened?"

"Sue got pregnant with you, and so, I sold my guitar and amps to pay the doc."

"Gosh, Dad, I'm sorry."

"Hey, I don't regret it. You and Seth are the best things that ever happened to me, besides your mother. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

He winked at me and smiled. "I guess I'm saying, that yeah, I'm happy."

"Whatever became of The Rowdies?"

"I heard that Clarence got picked up by The Gypsy Dogs, Daniel joined The 'Hunky' Dories, and Isaac got married and moved to Oregon. So much for our fame and fortune …"

"But it could've been."

"But then I wouldn't have you and Seth. You're worth more to me than all the fame and glory this world has to offer."

"You really mean that, don't you?"

"Yes, I do, and I make no bones about about."

"Gawd, I love you, Dad. I don't ever say it, but I hope you know that."

"Sure." Pointing at my rod bobbin' up and down, he said, "Oh, hey, looks like you have a bite there."

We floated lazily on the lake, talkin' and fishin' for a couple of hours. When we got home, Dad tried to shoo me away. "You go on, now. I know how you hate gutting and scaling fish."

"No, I wanna help" Grinnin' at him, I added, "Besides, I caught the majority of them."

"Rub it in, Lee. Rub it in."

Finished with cleaning the catch, I realized that Mom and Seth would be returning soon. I hesitated to leave yet, staring at him; cementing his image into my brain.

Placing the fish in an ice-filled bucket, he looked up at me. "You all right, Lee?"

Crap—I wasn't, and the tears were threatening to burst free. I gave him a big hug to hide my face from him. "Bye, Dad. I'm goin' over to Sam's for a while."

"You landed most of the main dish, so just be sure to come over to the Black's for dinner. You know how your mom gets when you put Sam ahead of family."

Strugglin' to get the words out, I answered, "Yeah, sure."

I turned back once to look at him before leaving, then I ran back to the TARDIS as the tears flooded my eyes.

A/N: In reality, the Quileute ceremonial clothing is usually a red fabric with a cloak over it, and a basket-type headdress. Pictures were scarce, so I used my poetic license.