Within the Mirage Part Two
Notes: Hmm, well I'm not sure about this chapter. I don't know whether the StellaJack really works or not, but I can't take it out now I guess. It would kinda muck it all up. But really, tell me if it sucks cos I'll rewrite it. Anyway, to my reviewers.
Morph: Ahhh, the recipes are back I see! Funny, I just saw Macbeth…I mean, the McScottish Play. Is that what they call it? Meh. I'm glad you liked it…again, tell me if the StellaJack really does suck, because I'm having bad bad doubts about it and I trust you and Cossie to tell me I suck!
Dingbatt: Yup, she's back. And so are you! Thanks for your review.
Banshee: Lol, at least someone's glad about the StellaJack. I have no idea where this came from, I just thought it would be really neat…not an actiony one, but sort of mysterious…and of course humour. No story is complete without it!
Uh.yeah: Ahhh, good…she's almost seems like a real companion now. I find myself having conversations with a mysterious interviewer about how awesome it is to play her…anyway, you didn't need to know that, so let's pretend I didn't say it, k? I wish I had your faith in the relationships and the plot…I hope it's a good as you think it will be. I'd hate to let anyone down.
YamiKITG: I see you've made use of my anon reviews again. I got all irritated with a flamer, so I blocked them…but now they're back. Ahhh, good…I'm glad you're enjoying.
Tai: Hhmmmm…I know you…you're that one…no, no that's not it. Hmmm…anyway stranger, thanks for your review! I told you I loved humour…I figured that would get some laughs from your corner.
Becsy: Ahhh, my excitable sugar eating one. I'm glad I made you smile…I hope you win the award some time soon.
Cloud: You are very obsessed…I'm worried. But thanks for reviewing.
Jessie Wings: Sorry Jess, but I guess you're outnumbered by shippers over here. Don't worry, I am convinced that I will never write a full out soppy fic, but subtle hinting is true to the show, and that's what I have to do! Confusing, eh? Good! I'm actually writing a decent mystery then. OK, I'll shove Stella more into the spot light…but I wouldn't want to be accused of 'Sue-ing now, would I?
As for the Chubby Chub Chub Chub Award, I thought there were some Buffy fans here! The quote was 'Well this is just…neat', said by Spike in an episode of season two where all the costumes turned real…and neat it was. Better luck next time, Chubbers!
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"We should split up," said Jack. "There's four of us, and the maximum amount of people we're going to be able to see is two at a time thanks to this touchy feely stuff. It makes sense."
"And look for what?" asked Stella. "I'm as thrilled as you are that we're not just going on some stupid holiday, but what are we actually doing now? Looking for trouble?"
"She's got a point," put in Rose. "This might just be an ordinary deal for this planet."
"But it's a defence mechanism," said the Doctor. "All this…it's not real. It's meant to confuse us. We…we can't see anything unless we touch it. I wouldn't be surprised…" To his surprise, he completely forgot what he was saying as a wave of drowsiness washed over him. "I…I wouldn't be surprised…if…"
"Does…does anyone else feel…" began Rose as her eyes fluttered closed.
"Sleepy…?" muttered Jack as he slipped softly to the floor.
"Doctor…" muttered Rose, her face screwing up in confusion. "What…?"
"Here he comes…Mr Sandman…" babbled Stella. "It's like that book…where…where Moonface falls sleep…there's a pixie…and a flying bed…" Nobody paid any attention because they weren't listening by now or they didn't know what the heck she was on about (Chubby Chub Awards for anyone who can tell me).
A minute later they were all deep in slumber, invisible sleepers in a fake world.
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You're right of course, but what else can we do? If they start dreaming…
My men will find them in time.
Time is one thing we're lacking.
I don't understand sir.
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"Rose! Rose for God's sake, your alarm's been goin' off for ages, you'll be late."
"Neeeeuuuurgghhh," said Rose, rolling over.
"Get up sweetheart! Mickey'll be here in twenty minutes!"
"Mum?" Rose sat up and blinked. "Mum what's going on? Where's the Doctor?"
"Who love? Is this some guy you met last night? Honestly, you should be looking after the relationships you have got, not worrying about the ones you haven't," said Jackie as she busily put Rose's clothes in her drawer. "The state you were in last night! I don't think I've ever seen you so drunk! Take after your aunt, you do, she never could hold her drink."
Rose watched her, feeling very much like her head was going to come unattached at any moment and fly off into the blue yonder. What was going on? Where was the Doctor? Why was she back here, in her screamingly pink room, talking to her mum about Mickey? Or rather, listening to her mum talk.
"The kettle's just boiled if you want tea, but for goodness sake hurry up. Breakfast is on the table."
She left as Rose struggled to find some clothes. Where was that…no, she'd bought that with the Doctor. Or…
"Mum, are you sure…you don't know anyone called the Doctor do you?" she yelled through the door as she clambered into some jeans.
"Doctor Harris you mean?"
"No, just…just the Doctor!"
"I don't know what on earth you're talking about Rose," said Jackie over her shoulder as she loaded the washing machine. Rose sat herself down at the table and buttered some toast.
"I'm telling you," she said. "There was this man, a Northern guy, called the Doctor. I've been travelling with him, remember? Or have we landed before I meet him…wait, no, that would mean there'd be two of me."
"Rose love, what are you talking about?" demanded Jackie, pushing her hair out of her face to glare at her daughter. "Have you been picking up strange men?"
"No, no he's not a stranger. He's my best friend, he's…" But Rose ran out of words.
"You better not let Mickey hear you talking about some other guy," warned her mother darkly. She looked worried suddenly. "Here, you're not feeling ill are you? Do you have a temperature?" She tried to feel her forehead.
"No, I'm fine," insisted Rose. She stopped. "No I'm not. I'm…I'm on Tranquillity. I'm…I'm on an alien planet and I fell…I fell asleep." She sprang to her feet. "I'm dreaming mum! I'm not really here! There was this…well, we don't know what it was, but me and Jack and Stella and the Doctor, none of us could see each other, and we couldn't find the TARDIS either. Something must be affecting us…"
"Oh Rose, you're not well," sighed Jackie. "Look at you, talking nonsense like that, I warned you not to drink so much! You'd better go back to bed, I'll call Mickey. Go on."
Rose trailed back to her bedroom, feeling completely and utterly baffled. She crept between her pink sheets. What had happened to the Doctor? He couldn't have…he couldn't have sent her back? Would he do that?
Rose felt a sudden sinking feeling. Of course he'd do that, that's the sort of pig headed noble thing he would do. Then again, he'd looked pretty asleep the last time she'd seen him.
Was it possible she was still on Tranquillity and really was just dreaming? Rose pinched herself viciously. It did nothing to waken her.
She was awake, she felt certain.
So where were the others?
Rose sighed and sank back into her pillows. She'd figure it out when she wasn't so tired.
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"Jack, get your ass down here!" yelled Stella as she clipped on her earring back. She glanced at the little girl next to her. "By the way Chris, ass is a very naughty word and if I ever hear you say it…" She trailed off. The girl stuck her thumb in her mouth and wandered into the living room.
"Jack, if you make us late!"
"I'm coming already!"
The doorbell rang and Stella wrenched open the door. A teenage girl smiled at her.
"Hi Ms Harkness," said the girl cheerily.
"Hi Molly, Christina's in the living room, OK? Bed at six thirty, food in the fridge, we'll be back at about half ten, got it?"
"Sure," said Molly. Christina came hurtling out of the living room and flung herself at the older girl. She picked her up. "Hey there little bit."
"Come and see my painting," insisted Chris.
"In the kitchen," supplied Stella, fumbling in her handbag as the girls moved into the other room, Chris chattering happily. "Jack!"
"Ready," announced Jack as he came down the stairs. He grabbed his keys. "See you later Trouble!" Chris giggled from the kitchen, sticking her head around the door.
"You're the one in trouble," she confided. Jack ruffled her hair.
"I can handle Mummy. Have a good time."
"Jack Harkness, if you don't get out here now I'm going to set a Dalek on you!" screamed Stella from outside. Jack grinned at Chris and swept out of the house.
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Surely your knowledge of the defences on this planet stretch further than that?
I know there is a generator. It creates particles that deceive the eyes.
Exactly right. But an overdose of these particles, when one is not acclimatised to them, results in drowsiness and ultimately, sleep.
I still don't quiet understand sir.
Oh come on Crag! You know what happens to those who fall asleep outside the fortress!
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"I am this close to leaving you on some deserted planet for good," warned Stella as Jack tossed her the keys.
"Course you are," said Jack amiably, climbing into the passenger seat. Suddenly she laughed.
"I'm acting like some old naggy housewife, aren't I?"
"I was beginning to wonder where you'd left your sense of humour," agreed Jack.
"I don't think I gave my dad enough credit y'know, bringing up the four of us," she said as she pulled out onto the motorway. "I can't have been the easiest child to nurture."
"You say 'nurture' or 'torture'?" teased Jack.
"Shut up," said Stella. She sighed. "How did we get here Jack? We were supposed to be free agents, travelling through space and time, saving planets…"
"Yeah well, things change," said Jack, stiffening suddenly. "And we can't exactly do that without the Doctor, can we?"
"I can't believe they're both…" Stella trailed off. "Sorry. I shouldn't have started this conversation."
"It's OK," said Jack. "You've got stuff on your mind. That's fine." There was a pause.
"Sometimes I feel like…" Stella swallowed. "Like the only reason we got married is because we're the only ones left. I always figured it would be them, that we'd be at their wedding."
"Instead we get engaged and they get killed," completed Jack. "It's so screwed up."
"Sorry about the Dalek thing. First thing that came to mind."
"No wonder."
"Let's take a detour," said Stella suddenly, swinging off to the left. "We both need to get this out in the open."
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I had forgotten sir.
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"Where are we headed now?" asked Jack, curious. He suddenly looked hopeful. "McDonalds?"
"Jack!" complained Stella. "It's our anniversary, not a fry up with the lads!"
"So…"
"The cemetery."
They drove in silence for a while.
"You're crazy." Stella pulled over sharply and stopped the car to glare at him.
"I'm crazy! You're the one who never talks about them, never! You keep it all bottled up! It's not healthy Jack! You're killing yourself!"
"Maybe you're right. Maybe we did get married because there was nothing left, nothing. No TARDIS, no friends…"
"I can't believe I'm hearing this," said Stella bitterly.
"Wake up Stella! They're dead, gone! No amount of opening up or grieving will bring them back!" He got out of the car. "I'll take the bus home."
Stella stared at the road in front of her. She thumped her head against the wheel.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" she muttered to herself as she started the ignition.
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Do not forget again! If these strangers dream they are living they will live. If they dream they are dying they will die. And however hostile they may be, I want no blood on my hands! Find them!
At once, sir.
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Stella gasped, expecting to wake up from a weird twisted dream where…But she was still sat there, in a car that wasn't hers, wedding ring firmly in place. What the hell was going on? When did she get married to Jack? When did Rose and the Doctor die?
She panicked suddenly. The last thing she could remember was being on that creepy little planet, Tranquillity. What if something had happened to her there and she'd been living with some obscure form of amnesia?
How would that even work anyway?
She started the car, intending to drive around a bit until things made sense. She figured they'd have to at some point…and then she could go home. Home to where though? Her flat? The TARDIS? Her house with Jack and a daughter?
The other car came out of nowhere.
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Dun dun DUN! Come on Chubbers, interpret Stella's weird speech…and tel me if you hate this chapter!