Jenny deals with some issues in this one and also get's something that's very meaning full.
I don't own the content.
Self Doubt and Wisdom
The Doctor made sure to skip the night, and saw on the Console screen that they had arrived in Cardiff the next day in the mid afternoon. Jenny and The Doctor opened the doors to the TARDIS when it landed, and they were met with Weapons drawn at them and Jenny held her hands up while The Doctor calmly had his hands in his pockets.
She found herself looking at the barrel of Martha Jones Pistol with Gwen Cooper and Ianto Jones but was soon lowered when they saw who it was.
"Jenny, Doctor? Sorry, protocol, what brings you here?" She said and hugged her.
"Just here to visit and it's good to see you Martha Jones." The Doctor said and hugged her as well.
"And I wanted Jack to give me the tour of the city like he promised." Jenny said causally.
"Is that it? Doctor, you're actually ok with this?" Martha said jokingly.
The Doctor rolled his eyes and said," Just taking a little break; we just saved a bus full of people after we went through a Wormhole."
"Right, we got chatter from UNIT comms, what caused it?" Gwen asked.
"Alien Stingrays… that reminds me, do you think we can change their Wormhole patterns to uninhabited planets from here?" The Doctor said.
"I think that can be done." Gwen said and ushered him to a Computer Terminal.
Jenny wanted to help him with that but remembered she wanted to see Jack and turned to Ianto.
"Ianto, do you know where Jack is?" Jenny asked.
"He's in the Gun Range right now, so I think you should be careful. It's downstairs second left," He said.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." She waved him off and went to look for him.
Jenny followed Ianto's instructions and found the Shooting Range with Jack, without his Trench Coat. Jack was using his trusty Revolver and was shooting moving targets. She found the noise extremely loud due to the vastness of the room, which caused a lot of noise. The feeling she got around him soon came but she would probably have to get used it and so would her dad if Jack would travel with them again.
After he fired another shot he finished and went to get more ammo. Jenny was leaning on the door frame while he got more ammunition while he didn't notice she was there.
"Men, there all the same." She thought.
"Hey Captain! I thought you noticed all the ladies!?" She said playfully.
Jack turned around and a smile soon plastered on his face.
"Well, well, well. The Doctor's daughter, Jenny. How did you end up in this scary place?" He said playfully.
Jenny blushed and said," Came to visit, Dad is busy with something upstairs and I wanted to see you."
"Well isn't that nice. And I'm guessing you want that tour of the city I suppose?"
"Sure but first, what's your fastest time on the targets there?"
Jack looked surprised and said," About 1:00, Gwen holds the record of 45 seconds."
"Oh I see old age is taking its toll and your getting slower." Jenny said jokingly.
Jack held his chest in fake pain and said," Ow! You bruised my dear old heart. I guess you can do better?"
"Is that a challenge?" Jenny asked with crossed arms.
"Depends on how you see it. I know you and your dad aren't fond of guns but hitting the targets won't hurt anyone." Jack said reassuringly.
"Alright I accept. If I hit 6 targets with all but six rounds in your Revolver, you owe me lunch."
Jack crossed his arms with a smirk and said, "What if you don't?"
"I'll kiss you on the cheek." Jenny said with a wink.
Jack grinned and said, ""The lady makes a compelling deal. I'm in."
Jack handed Jenny his Revolver, and gave her some instructions on how to use it. She then put the Noise Canceling headphones and glasses on.
"So how long has it been since you used a weapon?" Jack asked.
"I used my Stunner about last week when dad and I faced off against Robot Assassin's."
"Robot Assassin's?"
"Long story, but it involved protecting a scientist in the 57th Century."
"Seems interesting. Just let me know when you're ready ok?"
"Will do."
Jenny internally smiled when she knew she would win. She was born with Military training after all. So she knew she had good aim and would definitely win, it was a good thing Jack didn't know about her to an extent or else he would call her out of cheating because of her perk.
She nodded at Jack who flipped a switch. She took a deep breath and exhaled. She also reminded herself not to show boat and hit all the targets in the middle but hit in random areas of the target, so he wouldn't be suspicious.
She remembered when she first started traveling she was scared of guns, she had guessed when she was shot she must have gotten a fear of them. But she soon got over it after a village was threatened on a planet and she had to protect them from the gun wielding thugs.
The targets came and she had to remember about how she had to pull the hammer each time she had to fire.
Oh, how primitive weaponry intrigued her sometimes.
She had to thank her dad's genetics for that.
The next 30 seconds she had managed to hit the all the targets in random areas. She blew the barrel like she had seen in old earth Western movies and handed the Revolver to a very stunned Captain Jack Harkness.
Jenny giggled a little and kissed his cheek and said," Tell Gwen her record has been beaten and that you now owe me lunch Harkness. Let's go!"
"W-what, how? How did you?" He stuttered.
Jenny laughed and pushed him lightly to help him start walking. They walked back to the Main room where The Doctor had his Brainy Specks on and was typing furiously on the computer and Gwen was following his instruction's while Martha and Ianto were watching.
"Hey dad, Jack and I are going to lunch do you or anyone else want anything?"
"Sure, Jen, go on ahead, I'll be there in a few." He absentmindedly said.
"I'm good." Gwen said.
"Same." Ianto said.
"Mind if I come?" Martha asked.
"Sure thing Martha. Alright let us know when you're done. Also Gwen… Jenny beat your record at 30 seconds."
Gwen looked up surprised and said," She did what?!"
"You didn't?" Martha said with an amused expression.
"Yeah, we'll tell you the details, c'mon." Jenny said
All three of them left and got out of the entrance into the mid afternoon Cardiff sun and Jenny soon found herself in a Café that was near the Hub eating a Sandwich and drinking Coffee. She was now laughing with Martha about how Jack looked back at the range while Jack laughed as well.
"So Jack didn't tell me what was your record?" Jenny asked Martha.
"It's actually 2 minutes, while at UNIT it's 1 minute. I don't know what's wrong." She shrugged.
"I guess it comes with practice, or depends on the area. I mean I know Torchwood is a little strapped while UNIT is an International organization and has state-of-the-art equipment and they could have photographic light fields that would produce an image or a target but that won't be introduced for another 30 years so you guys should watch out for that. While Torchwood…. Oh God, I'm starting to ramble like him now." Jenny said in shock.
Martha and Jack laughed at that while Jenny had a horrified look but soon started to giggle.
"Don't worry Jen, we'll work through this." Martha said with fake seriousness.
"Yeah, we'll find the cure for 'Doctor Ramblitis' soon enough." Jack said with a chuckle.
"Well, at least I caught myself doing it. Dad keeps on going on until he's finished and everyone who isn't as smart as he is blanked out."
"True, so is traveling with your old man as good as you thought?" Jack asked curiously.
"Yeah it's great, I always wondered in my travels what it would be like to travel with him. One thing that sucked was when I was looking for him, I end up on planets where I had missed him by a couple of hours."
"Are you serious?" Martha asked shocked.
"Yep. I had also landed on planets where no one was fond of The Doctor what so ever. So I came up with a cover story just in case. I ask and if they say why with weapons drawn I tell them I'm a Bounty Hunter looking for leads on him."
"Seriously? Sorry if this offends you but you don't look like someone who would kill for money." Jack said.
"That's what some would say and I would always say 'looks can be deceiving' and I prove myself by going toe to toe with one of them and I always win." Jenny said with a smug look.
Martha looked impressed and said," Then you're a force to be reckon with then, yeah?"
"I would love to go toe to toe with you." Jack said with a smile but got wacked in the arm by Martha.
Jenny blushed a little and said, "Guilty as charged. Although I was born with every form of fighting style that is known I suggest you not."
"Noted. But a sparring match would be fun."
Jenny had a smile and asked in a flirty tone," And by sparring, what kind are you suggesting?"
Jack nearly choked on his coffee he was drinking and he coughed a couple of times while Martha scratched her neck and looked like she was trying not to smile or laugh.
"Uh… boxing or something… what do you prefer?" He said.
"My favorite is Martial Arts, mainly Taekwondo; I love the fluid motion of it."
"Nice, also I usually don't ask this because, look at me. How can you be near me even with my… condition?" Jack asked.
"Oh, well, yes it is bothering me but you are a friend of my dad's and we might see each other often and I will have to get used to it. Sorry if it upsets you."
Jack waved it off and said," Naw it's fine. So Martha, how are things with old Mickey the Idiot?"
"Wait you guys are actually dating?" Jenny asked excitedly.
Martha nodded with a slight blush and said, "Yeah, I actually took your advice and we've been dating for about a month now. And Jack, don't call him an idiot." Martha said the last part sternly.
Jack smirked and said," C'mon he doesn't mind. By the way, where is he?"
"Catching up with friends at the pub, there watching American Football, which I got from his last text. I don't understand how he likes it."
"Hey Football in the U.S is great, certain people like it outside the country and old Mick likes it."
Jenny tuned them out while they argued about Football or some other term for it, she wasn't really into sports but she played for the thrill of it. She didn't know how her dad was doing with the Wormhole thing or how he would actually change their Life Cycle but she knew he could do it and could as well.
'Hey Jen, where are you.' Her dad's voice said.
Speak of the devil.
'At lunch with Martha and Jack. I won a bet against Jack and he's paying.'
'Ah… when did you leave?'
Jenny mentally groaned, rolled her eyes and said,' I told you I was leaving. And you replied.'
'Oh... well I'm done with the Stingray problem and waiting on you guys.'
'Sure thing dad, I'll come back from my date with Jack.' She said and finished before The Doctor could say anything and she giggled internally.
"Hey guys, dad is done with the Temporal Displacement of the Stingrays. You want to head back?"
"Sure Jen. Let's bounce." Jack said and they started walking.
"So, not that any of this is my business but, have you and The Doctor gotten into any fights?" Martha asked.
"Well… I kept asking him about the Time War." Jenny said and rubbed her neck.
Martha stopped and looked at Jenny with a shocked face and said," You did? He doesn't talk about it to anyone, only small version of it."
"Please tell me he didn't yell at you?" Jack asked.
Jenny sniffed and said, "He did and I had a front row seat to The Oncoming Storm and he called me an echo."
"Oh my God. I'm going to kill him." Martha angrily said and then hugged Jenny.
"Same here." Jack growled.
"Please don't. I understood why and he did show me what it was like and I forgave him for that and he felt incredibly guilty for that. It looked horrible. But he was right about one thing."
"What was that?" Martha asked.
"That I'm an echo, I can't live up to the heritage that I come from and yes I am a living embodiment of them but I can't live up to it." Jenny said and silently cried.
She felt two pairs of arms around her and knew both Martha and Jack were hugging her and she felt a little better as Jack was saying soothing things to her.
Jenny actually did feel like that sometimes, even when she was traveling by herself. Sometimes when she trying to sleep she would think about how she could live up to being a Time Lord and she heard stories and read stuff about them and hoped she would live up to their expectations, even though she was a clone of the Race.
Martha and Jack had let go her with Martha giving her a serious look.
"Jenny, you are not an echo. You hear me? Don't bring yourself down and don't let any blooding idiots bring you down as well. When I talk to your dad last time he praised you and told me how proud he was to be your father. Also forget about how the Time Lords will think about you, they're gone by the way The Doctor has said. I believe you can do great things and your one the nicest and smartest people I know. Do you hear me?"
"I agree with everything Martha has said Jenny. I've only known you for a short time but your one of the bravest, kindest person I've known and I salute you." Jack said and saluted.
Jenny had a warm feeling in her hearts at what they had just said. She felt her confidence rise up a little and knew she would do great things but she still felt down and powerless. She wondered if her dad felt this way when he was at his lowest.
He probably did, he was normal… as normal as he could get.
"C'mon let's get you to the hub and we'll leave you with him so he could make you feel better. After I slap him." Martha casually said the last part.
As they were in the lift, Jenny realized that The Doctor had probably felt her emotions through their bond and would be worried. But she knew he had to be extra worried when Martha got near him and would probably had to hold her back.
When they got to the Hub Jenny saw her dad with a concerned expression that soon turned to fear when Martha came up to him and slapped him hard and he ended up on the floor and groaned.
Gwen and Ianto were looking at them with shocked and confused expressions.
"Jack, what's going on?" Gwen said uncertainly.
"Long story and we should probably give these two a room so they can settle some family issues." Jack said.
"Ok… and I'm not even going to ask." Ianto said and left with everyone else to another room.
Jenny sighed and help her dad up, who was still holding his slapped face. She didn't know how to start off and they stayed in silence for a few minutes.
"So, me getting slapped and given a death glare that could make me Regenerate. This seems really important." The Doctor said.
"Yeah, yeah it is." She said and looked at the floor and had her hands in her Leather Jacket.
"What's the problem? Jenny, you can tell me." The Doctor said.
She looked at him with a sullen look and said, "I-I'm an echo."
The Doctor gave her a look of shock that turned to reassurance and said," No, you're not. I've told you that you aren't. You're a Time Lord from-"
"No I'm not!" She yelled in anger and tears.
"I'm just a clone, an echo based on a Civilization that has been long dead and you're the only one worthy of being one. I…wasn't born with the knowledge, the heritage of it. When I was by myself, sometimes I feel down, I can't sleep and I believe I can't live up to the expectations of the Time Lords and yours as well. I'm probably just a mistake, doomed to walk amongst the Universe, an echo of a once great Race. So if you're ashamed of me, I don't care and I will leave and be out of your sight forever." She said.
The Doctor felt the pain, guilt and many other emotions swirling within his daughter. He had similar thoughts of him being the only one left and feeling the loss of people but he had his daughter. Who was confused, sad and had low self-esteem.
He closed the distance and gave her a hug as she sobbed into his chest, letting all she had felt for who knew how long. He did soothing circles around her back, and held her tightly. He knew the TARDIS was sending her hums of encouragement and love and he mentally thanked her for that.
After about 5 minutes, Jenny was sniffing and whimpered a little. She looked at her dad, who gave her a sympathetic look. He cleared off a couple of tears from her face.
"Feeling better?"
"A little."
"Good, now, I understand your worries and I want you to forget them. I can't even describe to you how grateful I am to be your father, your brilliant. I'm not ashamed of you, not one bit. And forget the Time Lords because they would look down upon you and think your trash. But I will never think of that because you are a Time Lord and don't you ever second guess yourself and bring yourself down. I understand what you are going through and I promise I will help you.
You are not a mistake and you were brought upon this Universe to do great things. I don't know what but great things. I don't want you to have an ego because I already have one. So, are going to mope around or continue on as Time permits it?"
"I'm going to continue on. I'm not going to beat myself up because I'm going to be the best that I could be." Jenny said confidently.
"That's my girl that I love." The Doctor said with a smile and hugged her.
"Love you too dad. Sorry for all that." She said and looked at his shirt.
"Meh, don't worry about it. It'll come off. Also you all can come in now!" The Doctor said.
"Sure thing Doc. If you want some family time to yourselves we won't hold it against you if you leave now." Jack said.
"Good to know. And Captain, if you start to date my daughter, I'm ok with it, unfortunately. Also if you break her heart, I will not hesitate to do something really bad to you." The Doctor said in a serious tone.
Jack came into view with a grin and said," Thanks Doc and I normally don't say this. But let me and Jen go on a couple of dates and then I might consider it. And I promise I won't hurt her.
"Really Jack? And Doctor, thank you for bringing her spirits up and sorry for slapping you." Martha said.
"No biggie… also I just received a message on my Psychic Paper. Something very bad and Jenny and I need to leave now. C'mon Jen, let's go!" the Doctor said and ran into the TARDIS.
"Doctor, what's the issue?" Martha asked concerned.
"Something is happening on Kibabolon, c'mon Jen!"
"Doc, you just made that up." Jack said.
"Actually no he didn't Kibabolon is real I was there for the planets annual Eclipse Festival. There are flowers there that glow blue when an Eclipse comes every 25 years. It's breath taking." Jenny said as ran to the TARDIS."
"Wait, how do we know this isn't fake?" Ianto said.
The Doctor poked his head out of the TARDIS and said, "Would I really fake a crisis? Thought so, c'mon Jen!"
Jenny typed in the coordinates and worried what was happening there and wondered why her Psychic Paper didn't get anything. She pulled the lever and the TARDIS materialized.
"Alright what's the issue?" She asked with concern.
The Doctor had his hands in his Trench Coat with a bright smile on his face which confused her.
"Dad, what's going on? Is Kibabolon really endanger?"
"Nope. That was a ruse."
"What? Last time I was there I made some friends and I was worried about them. I promised I would meet them again during the next festival. What's this all about?"
"I thought to lift your spirits up was to finally give you your official name."
"Official name?"
"Remember during your lessons that Time Lords have two names. One is your Gallifreyan name while the other is the name you use when you're with everyone else."
"You mean…"
"Yes Athena yes it is and do you want to know what the name means?" The Doctor said.
"Yes." Jenny or Athena said with glee.
"Wisdom and intelligence is key to your beliefs. Never doubt your skill. The outcome of your endeavors is what makes you, you. Fight for a purpose not for own gain. That, that is your pledge and meaning to your name, always keep it with you and never defile it. I have done it with mine already and I'm still The Doctor but the stain will always be with me." The Doctor said with a sad smile.
Jenny placed a hand on her dad's shoulder and said," You are still The Doctor and always will be. That is in the past and forget about and move on.
The Doctor chuckled a little at the irony of her words and said," Words to live by I suppose. But do you like your name and do you promise not to break the promise of the meaning?" He said the last part seriously.
Jenny had a determined look on her face and said," I promise dad."
"Good, well, you set the coordinates for Kibabolon, so why not change the time frame for the next Festival and I know the next one is set for another 5 years so let's go." The Doctor said and typed in the new time frame.
The newly name Athena or Jenny sighed a relief and hoped she would now live up to the name her dad had given her and now believed all she was worrying about be gone but she knew a little doubt would be there but she would do her best to live up on how her dad described her name and the meaning behind it.
