Disclaimer: Still rebelling.....for crying out loud you know I own nothing
except for myself, I can't even handle owning that for cripes sake!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I nestled deeper into the covers, hibernating in the warmed sheets. I wondered why mom hadn't woken me up yet. Oh well, five more minuets wouldn't hurt, maybe I could just drift off into sleep, lulled deeper into dreamland by the trains making their rounds, the clip-clop of horses and their......carriages?
I sat up quick as a bolt the light of day blinding my eyes and a terrible stabbing pain in my head assaulting me. Putting my head in my hands I moaned pathetically. If I didn't know better I'd say I had a hangover from hell. When I raised my head and finally opened my eyes, squinting in the harsh light I saw a familiar man sitting in a chair across from my bed.
"So I'm pudgy now, am I?" He asked smiling.
I moaned again as the events of the previous night came rushing back to meet me like a slap.
"God...." I whimpered, the ache in my head becoming a blinding pain, "No, no, no......it was a dream it had to be, no, no, no......"
I continued muttering my little mantra of hope while Godley got up and crossed to the door. Opening it he murmured to someone waiting outside the door, "Can we get some tea? Miss Harlington just came round."
"How long have I been out?" I asked rubbing my eyes still not believing, but trying my best to realize it as truth.
"Almost a day." He replied.
"WHAT?!"
"I said almost, lass." He pointed out.
I moaned again.
"Are you alrigh' miss?" Godley asked worried.
"Give me a pepcid and I will be. God!" I shuddered. I felt disgusting.
"Well in that case I have a few things to say to you young Missy." He began sternly, "Just what the devil were you thinkin' last night?! You were almost beyond our aid! The Nickles Gang found ya...and well......you're confined to the grounds young lass!"
"What?!" I snapped. This hangover was doing nothing for my irritation levels, "You can't do that!"
"Oh hoo! It seems we can and you'll not be leaving until yeh've recovered!" He added.
"But this is my house!" I exclaimed. It actually wasn't but why bother being picky? "Besides you've got it backwards. I'm supposed to make Abberline stay here and HE'S not allowed to go off......."
"Is he now?" Godley answered sassily, "Well that wasn't what he said an hour ago when he prepared to leave..."
My heart slowed down coming to hiccup violently in my throat. I swallowed air, my insides felt like gravel. I felt awful. "Oh god....." I whispered in horror.
In one wild movement I was out of my bed and sprinting (actually I was staggering but who's paying attention?) down the hall to Abberline's room.
"Miss!" Godley called frantically after me, "Miss! You really should stay in bed!"
I ignored him. If Abberline left then I would never accomplish my wish....and if I never accomplished my wish, my sickness threatened to nauseate me at the next thought, I might never get back home!
I reached his door and rained down furious bangs upon it's surface.
"ABBERLINE! OPEN THIS BLOODY DOOR, YOU POOR EXCUSE FOR A COPPER!! OPEN IT OR I'LL BREAK IT DOWN!! DO YOU HEAR ME?! I'LL BLOODY BREAK IT DO.....YAAAAH!!" I yelped as the door opened suddenly and I fell forward onto the floor.
"Ow." I groaned.
"Miss Harlington," came a deep smug chuckle above me, I looked up. Hey cool, Abberline was upside down, "that was quite an entrance."
"Help me up....." I growled, while Godley sputtered with laughter hanging on to the door frame.
Abberline cocked his head, "And why would I do that?" He smirked playfully.
"Because I'll bite your ankles off if you don't, and I'm in a good position to do so."
He chuckled again and bent down to offer me a hand. I eyed it warily, what, was he going to give me his hand then drop me? Grumbling, I took his hand and in a swift motion he had brought me to my feet beside him.
"Now what the HELL is this about you leaving! Look, I know we finished this yesterday by your standards, but I'm not finished with you bub, and I have a few things to say......whoo I'm spinning....everything's spinning....." I said putting a hand to my head as the room tilted. I closed my eyes as I grabbed a hold of Abberline's jacket.
Abberline chuckled again.
I opened my eyes angrily, "Stop laughing, it isn't funny!" I snapped annoyed.
"I'd say it bloody was!" Godley gawfawed.
"Tea, Miss Harlington?" Abberline smirked walking to his desk in the room.
"Don't you TEA me, you two-bit......" I struggled for an insult. Abberline rose an eyebrow expectingly, "...chuckle-head!"
Chuckle-head? Where the hell had that one come from?
"Godley," Abberline smiled over me, "would you leave us alone for a moment while I discuss something with Miss Harlington?"
Godley nodded, still red, holding in his laughter, turned and closed the door behind him.
I knew it! Abberline was planning on murdering me in this room!
"I must admit I thought you would come here a bit more properly attired." Abberline coughed back a laugh.
I looked down seeing I was only in my nightgown.
"There just so happens to be a robe in my closet." He murmured pouring tea.
I glared at him, then raced to the wardrobe quickly pulling out a robe and wrapping it around myself.
"Take a seat." Abberline commented pointing to a chair across from the one his teacup rested on.
I shook my head confused, why was he being so nice?
"What?"
"Yeh are familiar with the idea of bending your knees to sit down, aren't ya?" He mocked sitting himself.
Something was seriously messed up here.
I nodded numbly as I took the seat across from him. I watched him as he took a sip from his cup, and then placed it at his side.
"How are ya feeling this morning?" He asked finally after a long pause.
My eyes widened, "What?"
He rolled his eyes and sighed, "Do I really have to explain everything to ya this morning?" he asked, his cockney accent becoming more pronounced with his irritation.
"Who are you and where have you stashed the real Abberline?" I asked skeptically.
He sighed rubbing his face as if very tired, "Yes, about that. Listen, I know I've been damned unreasonable and there is no excuse for my behavior the past two days." He paused, "I have spent quite o' lot of time thinking about your plan. All last night ta be exact.....and I agree to it."
Silence and then.....
"OH MY GOD, YOU'RE A POD PERSON!! DEAR SWEET LORD, SAVE US ALL!!" I shouted hoarsely, frantic as I tried to scramble out of the chair, away from this stranger in front of me.
Surging from his seat, Abberline placed a hand over my mouth, "Quiet girl!" He warned softly, "Calm yerself."
He took his hand away.
"What are you? Are you some kind of evil spirit?" I asked unnerved, "Some demon taking Abberline's form?"
"I'm myself, Miss Harlington. Are you?"
"Oh, oh!" I exclaimed, "I know how to banish you!! Umm I saw it on an episode of So Weird, now what ere the words of the spell......?"
Abberline waited patiently while I ranted.
"Damnit, I can't remember the words! You have no power over me? No, no, get outta my head Labyrinth!"
"Are you quite done?"
"No! Well yes.....for the moment at least."
"Good, then perhaps I can get in a word or two before you shoot off your mouth again?"
"Maybe but don't bet on it." I admitted grudgingly.
Silence desended again.
"I saw you." He finally muttered, "Last night. I saw what would have happened to you."
Even though I felt a chill creep over me I fell back easily into my costume of the woman's body I was in.
"Pardon me?" I asked.
"Godley informed me of our similar 'connections'. I assumed you'de understand what I was talking about."
I did, "You had a vision?"
"Yes."
"About me?" I asked surprised.
A pause as he looked up at me then down at the cup in his hands again, "Yes."
'Of course' I nearly smacked my head, 'how else would he know dorkus. Come on, you have seen the movie!'
"Well it's a good thing for me you did."
"Yes, it altogether was." He admitted, "But it was the first time.....the first time I saw before the thing itself happened.....and it happened without the aid of the drugged sleep." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"I....I'm afraid I don't understand, Inspector," I struggled leaning closer.
"I can't think of a reason for this" he continued almost angrily, "it's never happened before. I CAN'T think of a reason....'cept you."
"Me?" I again was surprised.
Abberline's gaze was serious, "You are not who you seem to be, Miss Harlington."
What exactly would happen if he found out I was a fake? Best to play it cool. I huffed haughtily, "I have no idea what you are talking about, Inspector," I tittered, which was pretty hard to do, have you ever tried? "but I'm sure I have never been anyone other than myself....."
"What is your name?" He asked suddenly.
I was taken aback, but then regained my senses, "After all this time you still don't know my name? You're memory must be slipping old boy."
"Your real name." He clarified.
Oh....
If I admitted I WASN'T Cassandra Harlington, would he lock me up? I remembered the state of the prisons and mental wards from the movie. In the great words of Loki in Dogma, "Fuck THAT. FUCK that!" I wasn't going there for anybody.
I got to my feet fast, "Inspector, I have no idea what is bringing about this madness of a discussion but I suggest it end now. You need to eat and I am not yet dressed so I think we should ugh...." I searched for a word, "uh....." I started to back up to the door, " depart....like now." I hurried the rest of the distance, to grab the handle of the door, and wrenched it open. It slammed shut a mere second later. Stricken, I spun to see Abberline had his hand pressed against it's surface, holding it in place.
"No, not now. I'm not done with you."
"Get away from the door." I ordered slightly losing my nerve.
"Tell me who..you..are." He commanded quietly again.
I gulped, my back now to the wood, "Cassandra Harlington."
His fist slammed down on the space by my right ear. I turned my head the other way as I cringed.
He leaned closer to whisper this, "I've seen things, Miss Harlington. In my vision. Things I cannot believe nor begin to understand. These things....you, are not from this time. Are not from this world. I asked you last night for the truth. I want it now."
It was the first time I had really looked at him since our first meeting, and he was close enough for me to see the iris's of his eyes. They were a dark brown, speckled with gold, and the slight grey blue of Robin's eggs. They were the eyes of the man I had promised myself to save on the other side of the screen. And I knew......I knew I could not lie to him.
"Name?" He asked again.
I whispered the name under my breath.
"I didn't quite get tha'."
Our eyes met, "Sarah."
"Alrigh'" He nodded, "Sarah, where did you come from?"
'From the stork, stupio!'
"America." I hated this.
Again he nodded, then paused making sure I did not drop his gaze.
"What year?"
Frock, what kind of crap hole was I digging myself into?
I pulled in a big breath, "2004"
"Are you sure of tha?"
"Look, I fell through time, I didn't lose my memory, idiot." I snapped.
He sighed, "Tell me everythin'" He said gently taking my arm and leading me back to my chair.
"Everything?" I muttered bleakly.
"Everythin." He confirmed.
I sat as he did and glance at my empty cup.
"We're gonna need tea...." I said suddenly, "we're gonna need a lot of tea."
Abberline smiled as he poured me another cup.
Wait: Rewind. Yep. Just checking.
A smile.
He gave me a SMILE. Hell, I was his. I'd tell him anything he wanted.
I dropped a sugar cube in, "It starts," I began stirring like I cared which direction, "with a boring Friday night and a wish."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I nestled deeper into the covers, hibernating in the warmed sheets. I wondered why mom hadn't woken me up yet. Oh well, five more minuets wouldn't hurt, maybe I could just drift off into sleep, lulled deeper into dreamland by the trains making their rounds, the clip-clop of horses and their......carriages?
I sat up quick as a bolt the light of day blinding my eyes and a terrible stabbing pain in my head assaulting me. Putting my head in my hands I moaned pathetically. If I didn't know better I'd say I had a hangover from hell. When I raised my head and finally opened my eyes, squinting in the harsh light I saw a familiar man sitting in a chair across from my bed.
"So I'm pudgy now, am I?" He asked smiling.
I moaned again as the events of the previous night came rushing back to meet me like a slap.
"God...." I whimpered, the ache in my head becoming a blinding pain, "No, no, no......it was a dream it had to be, no, no, no......"
I continued muttering my little mantra of hope while Godley got up and crossed to the door. Opening it he murmured to someone waiting outside the door, "Can we get some tea? Miss Harlington just came round."
"How long have I been out?" I asked rubbing my eyes still not believing, but trying my best to realize it as truth.
"Almost a day." He replied.
"WHAT?!"
"I said almost, lass." He pointed out.
I moaned again.
"Are you alrigh' miss?" Godley asked worried.
"Give me a pepcid and I will be. God!" I shuddered. I felt disgusting.
"Well in that case I have a few things to say to you young Missy." He began sternly, "Just what the devil were you thinkin' last night?! You were almost beyond our aid! The Nickles Gang found ya...and well......you're confined to the grounds young lass!"
"What?!" I snapped. This hangover was doing nothing for my irritation levels, "You can't do that!"
"Oh hoo! It seems we can and you'll not be leaving until yeh've recovered!" He added.
"But this is my house!" I exclaimed. It actually wasn't but why bother being picky? "Besides you've got it backwards. I'm supposed to make Abberline stay here and HE'S not allowed to go off......."
"Is he now?" Godley answered sassily, "Well that wasn't what he said an hour ago when he prepared to leave..."
My heart slowed down coming to hiccup violently in my throat. I swallowed air, my insides felt like gravel. I felt awful. "Oh god....." I whispered in horror.
In one wild movement I was out of my bed and sprinting (actually I was staggering but who's paying attention?) down the hall to Abberline's room.
"Miss!" Godley called frantically after me, "Miss! You really should stay in bed!"
I ignored him. If Abberline left then I would never accomplish my wish....and if I never accomplished my wish, my sickness threatened to nauseate me at the next thought, I might never get back home!
I reached his door and rained down furious bangs upon it's surface.
"ABBERLINE! OPEN THIS BLOODY DOOR, YOU POOR EXCUSE FOR A COPPER!! OPEN IT OR I'LL BREAK IT DOWN!! DO YOU HEAR ME?! I'LL BLOODY BREAK IT DO.....YAAAAH!!" I yelped as the door opened suddenly and I fell forward onto the floor.
"Ow." I groaned.
"Miss Harlington," came a deep smug chuckle above me, I looked up. Hey cool, Abberline was upside down, "that was quite an entrance."
"Help me up....." I growled, while Godley sputtered with laughter hanging on to the door frame.
Abberline cocked his head, "And why would I do that?" He smirked playfully.
"Because I'll bite your ankles off if you don't, and I'm in a good position to do so."
He chuckled again and bent down to offer me a hand. I eyed it warily, what, was he going to give me his hand then drop me? Grumbling, I took his hand and in a swift motion he had brought me to my feet beside him.
"Now what the HELL is this about you leaving! Look, I know we finished this yesterday by your standards, but I'm not finished with you bub, and I have a few things to say......whoo I'm spinning....everything's spinning....." I said putting a hand to my head as the room tilted. I closed my eyes as I grabbed a hold of Abberline's jacket.
Abberline chuckled again.
I opened my eyes angrily, "Stop laughing, it isn't funny!" I snapped annoyed.
"I'd say it bloody was!" Godley gawfawed.
"Tea, Miss Harlington?" Abberline smirked walking to his desk in the room.
"Don't you TEA me, you two-bit......" I struggled for an insult. Abberline rose an eyebrow expectingly, "...chuckle-head!"
Chuckle-head? Where the hell had that one come from?
"Godley," Abberline smiled over me, "would you leave us alone for a moment while I discuss something with Miss Harlington?"
Godley nodded, still red, holding in his laughter, turned and closed the door behind him.
I knew it! Abberline was planning on murdering me in this room!
"I must admit I thought you would come here a bit more properly attired." Abberline coughed back a laugh.
I looked down seeing I was only in my nightgown.
"There just so happens to be a robe in my closet." He murmured pouring tea.
I glared at him, then raced to the wardrobe quickly pulling out a robe and wrapping it around myself.
"Take a seat." Abberline commented pointing to a chair across from the one his teacup rested on.
I shook my head confused, why was he being so nice?
"What?"
"Yeh are familiar with the idea of bending your knees to sit down, aren't ya?" He mocked sitting himself.
Something was seriously messed up here.
I nodded numbly as I took the seat across from him. I watched him as he took a sip from his cup, and then placed it at his side.
"How are ya feeling this morning?" He asked finally after a long pause.
My eyes widened, "What?"
He rolled his eyes and sighed, "Do I really have to explain everything to ya this morning?" he asked, his cockney accent becoming more pronounced with his irritation.
"Who are you and where have you stashed the real Abberline?" I asked skeptically.
He sighed rubbing his face as if very tired, "Yes, about that. Listen, I know I've been damned unreasonable and there is no excuse for my behavior the past two days." He paused, "I have spent quite o' lot of time thinking about your plan. All last night ta be exact.....and I agree to it."
Silence and then.....
"OH MY GOD, YOU'RE A POD PERSON!! DEAR SWEET LORD, SAVE US ALL!!" I shouted hoarsely, frantic as I tried to scramble out of the chair, away from this stranger in front of me.
Surging from his seat, Abberline placed a hand over my mouth, "Quiet girl!" He warned softly, "Calm yerself."
He took his hand away.
"What are you? Are you some kind of evil spirit?" I asked unnerved, "Some demon taking Abberline's form?"
"I'm myself, Miss Harlington. Are you?"
"Oh, oh!" I exclaimed, "I know how to banish you!! Umm I saw it on an episode of So Weird, now what ere the words of the spell......?"
Abberline waited patiently while I ranted.
"Damnit, I can't remember the words! You have no power over me? No, no, get outta my head Labyrinth!"
"Are you quite done?"
"No! Well yes.....for the moment at least."
"Good, then perhaps I can get in a word or two before you shoot off your mouth again?"
"Maybe but don't bet on it." I admitted grudgingly.
Silence desended again.
"I saw you." He finally muttered, "Last night. I saw what would have happened to you."
Even though I felt a chill creep over me I fell back easily into my costume of the woman's body I was in.
"Pardon me?" I asked.
"Godley informed me of our similar 'connections'. I assumed you'de understand what I was talking about."
I did, "You had a vision?"
"Yes."
"About me?" I asked surprised.
A pause as he looked up at me then down at the cup in his hands again, "Yes."
'Of course' I nearly smacked my head, 'how else would he know dorkus. Come on, you have seen the movie!'
"Well it's a good thing for me you did."
"Yes, it altogether was." He admitted, "But it was the first time.....the first time I saw before the thing itself happened.....and it happened without the aid of the drugged sleep." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"I....I'm afraid I don't understand, Inspector," I struggled leaning closer.
"I can't think of a reason for this" he continued almost angrily, "it's never happened before. I CAN'T think of a reason....'cept you."
"Me?" I again was surprised.
Abberline's gaze was serious, "You are not who you seem to be, Miss Harlington."
What exactly would happen if he found out I was a fake? Best to play it cool. I huffed haughtily, "I have no idea what you are talking about, Inspector," I tittered, which was pretty hard to do, have you ever tried? "but I'm sure I have never been anyone other than myself....."
"What is your name?" He asked suddenly.
I was taken aback, but then regained my senses, "After all this time you still don't know my name? You're memory must be slipping old boy."
"Your real name." He clarified.
Oh....
If I admitted I WASN'T Cassandra Harlington, would he lock me up? I remembered the state of the prisons and mental wards from the movie. In the great words of Loki in Dogma, "Fuck THAT. FUCK that!" I wasn't going there for anybody.
I got to my feet fast, "Inspector, I have no idea what is bringing about this madness of a discussion but I suggest it end now. You need to eat and I am not yet dressed so I think we should ugh...." I searched for a word, "uh....." I started to back up to the door, " depart....like now." I hurried the rest of the distance, to grab the handle of the door, and wrenched it open. It slammed shut a mere second later. Stricken, I spun to see Abberline had his hand pressed against it's surface, holding it in place.
"No, not now. I'm not done with you."
"Get away from the door." I ordered slightly losing my nerve.
"Tell me who..you..are." He commanded quietly again.
I gulped, my back now to the wood, "Cassandra Harlington."
His fist slammed down on the space by my right ear. I turned my head the other way as I cringed.
He leaned closer to whisper this, "I've seen things, Miss Harlington. In my vision. Things I cannot believe nor begin to understand. These things....you, are not from this time. Are not from this world. I asked you last night for the truth. I want it now."
It was the first time I had really looked at him since our first meeting, and he was close enough for me to see the iris's of his eyes. They were a dark brown, speckled with gold, and the slight grey blue of Robin's eggs. They were the eyes of the man I had promised myself to save on the other side of the screen. And I knew......I knew I could not lie to him.
"Name?" He asked again.
I whispered the name under my breath.
"I didn't quite get tha'."
Our eyes met, "Sarah."
"Alrigh'" He nodded, "Sarah, where did you come from?"
'From the stork, stupio!'
"America." I hated this.
Again he nodded, then paused making sure I did not drop his gaze.
"What year?"
Frock, what kind of crap hole was I digging myself into?
I pulled in a big breath, "2004"
"Are you sure of tha?"
"Look, I fell through time, I didn't lose my memory, idiot." I snapped.
He sighed, "Tell me everythin'" He said gently taking my arm and leading me back to my chair.
"Everything?" I muttered bleakly.
"Everythin." He confirmed.
I sat as he did and glance at my empty cup.
"We're gonna need tea...." I said suddenly, "we're gonna need a lot of tea."
Abberline smiled as he poured me another cup.
Wait: Rewind. Yep. Just checking.
A smile.
He gave me a SMILE. Hell, I was his. I'd tell him anything he wanted.
I dropped a sugar cube in, "It starts," I began stirring like I cared which direction, "with a boring Friday night and a wish."