Filial Awkwardness

Team Awesome's Hideout,London: September 29, 5090

Faith wasn't exactly sure why she went back to the Westminster flat. Maybe it was something about what happened earlier that day. A feeling that she hadn't done all she could to stop that… whatever Trisha had turned into, from hurting Tobias, Lucian, or even Mira. Or maybe she just needed a place to think.

She knocked. No one answered. Shruging, she pushed open the unlocked door and let herself in.

After closing the door behind her, she gazed around the front room.

Zephyrus wandered into the main living area, humming to himself, wearing a towel. It was clear he had just taken a shower. He got to about the middle of the room before he noticed Faith.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he shrieked in surprise like a little girl, accidentally dropping the towel in his shock.

Faith screamed as well, turning so her back was to him, a hand covering her eyes in embarrassment. "I'm sorry! I didn't think anyone was here. I just…" She trailed off, still very unsure of why she was there.

"I'm sorry. I'll go." She reached for the door.

He blushed beet red, covering himself with his hands as best as he could. "God, I'm so sorry. Wait! Please, just give me a moment."

He ran into the back. She could hear him digging around in some drawers. After a few moments, he returned in an old t-shirt and cargo shorts.

He sighed. "Uhh. . . you wanna sit down?"

Faith uncovered her eyes, her hands shaking. "A-alright." She walked over to the couch and sat. She didn't look at Zephyrus.

"Um, can I get you some water or something?" he asked awkwardly. "I'm so, so sorry. Really, I am. I should have remembered to lock the door."

Faith's hands attempted to tie themselves in a knot. "Yeah, some water would be nice. Thanks."

He went to the kitchen and returned with a slightly chipped glass. "It's not much, but here."

He handed it to her, looking at his feet. "Soo. . .any particular reason why you came here? Or were you just looking for a place to hide?"

Faith looked at the glass for a moment and then up at Zephyrus, smiling slightly. "I have a lot on my mind and, yeah, I guess I did want a place to hide. I feel. . .safe here, I guess."

He snorted slightly. "Heh. Welcome to the club."

She looked blankly at him.

He smiled awkwardly. "No. Seriously. Welcome to the club. That's how we all got together. Lucian and I, we were just looking for a place to get away from school. Susie came here to escape some guy problems. Tobias. . . well, that's a long story. In the Academy, we're all just shadows, drifting through dusty rooms. Here, we have names. Lives."

He turned away, blushing once more. "Sorry. I'm sure you think I'm a total sap now."

Faith set her glass down, stood, and reached out to grasp his arm. "You are not a sap."

She released his arm when she realized just what she did. She coughed slightly. "And thank you. That's the kindest thing I've heard all day."

He sighed, flustered, running his hand through his hair. "There's. . . there's no need to thank me. But I mean, I'm sure everyone'd be happy if you hung out with us, if you want, you know."

If Faith could have blushed, her face would have been bright pink. She smiled shyly. "Sure."

She stuck out a hand. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Faith Harkness."

He accepted her hand gingerly, as if he thought that if he touched her, she'd melt. "Zephyrus Ambrose. It's a pleasure to meet you, Faith."

He sat down in a chair nearby. "So, what colony are you from? Ordifica? They're All Nouns You Idiot? I mean, you sound like Lucian and Mira."

Faith returned to her seat on the couch. "Cardiff. I live there with my Dad."

His eyes grew wide. "Cardiff? No wonder! Wow. I never thought I'd meet a flesh-and-blood Welshman! You're all but extinct! Most of your kind moved offworld by now. I guess your family's old blood, huh?"

She smiled slightly. "You could say that. Dad's work kept him on Earth."

Zephyrus walked over to her and leaned in close, his eyes suddenly dangerous. "I'm not sure if you think I'm stupid or what. Frankly, I wouldn't blame you if you did. But here's the thing. I'm a genius, Faith. And I know you're not telling me everything."

He whispered in her ear, smirking. "So what century are you from?"

"Well here's a fine to-do brother mine!" crooned Suzie. "You might wanna wait a few more hours between girlfriends you know!" she sauntered into the loungeroom, giving Faith a wink as she passed by on her way to the other armchair. She 'accidentally' knocked Zephie over as she passed.

He blushed deeply, scowling at her. "I wasn't. . . I. . . I hate you, Susie."

Faith looked from Zephyrus to Susie, wondering just what happened, her mind spinning as Zephyrus' words bounced around in her brain. Was she that see through?

Susie chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Tell somebody who cares will ya?" She looked back at Faith with a friendly grin. "I never did catch your name in all the madness, new girl. And, unfortunately for you, I'm just as curious as Zeph here about what century you're from. So spill already!"

Faith looked startled for a moment then gazed back down at her hands. She debated in her mind over what she could reveal. She bit her lip. "I'm Faith Harkness. My dad, Jack, and I are from the 21st century. We are kinda stuck here for a while."

Zephyrus beamed at her. "21st Century? That's amazing! How did you. . . I mean, wow!" He grinned at Susie. "I'm writing my thesis on the 21st Century!"

Susie snorted in disparagement, then gave him a look of affection. "Last week you said you were writing it on the differences between 51st century humans and the 45th century colonists!"

Zephyrus nodded. "But if I use the 21st Century, Faith here can be my research topic! I won't even need to use this!" He held up his wrist.

Faith's eyes widened. "Um…"

Susie aimed a kick in Zephy's direction, missing completely. "Don't let my brother talk you into this honey! Say no, and keep saying no, or he'll have you writing the damn thing too!"

He grabbed Susie's foot and toppled her to the ground, laughing.

A smile spread across Faith's face. The banter seemed so homey, so… well, nice. She wondered what happened in their future that changed them.

Zephyrus turned back to Faith, his face aglow. "She's just jealous because I thought of it first. So how about it? Wanna tell me a bit about your hom. . . wait. Harkness. Like Doctor Harkness, who teaches Applied Anachronism?"

Faith's smile faded a bit. "Yeah. He's my dad."

Zephyrus paled. "Shit. I skipped him last period. I'm sure he's pretty cross." He inched away.

Susie cried out in mock pain as she landed on the floor, before jumping into Zephy's lap and snuggling up to him. When she heard his last statement however, she hit him across the back of the head.

"You're the limit, you know this don't you? Better go see him and apologize. You know you can't afford to fail any more classes!"

Faith raised an eyebrow at him and chuckled. "I can put a good word in for you. I'm sure he won't be too mad with you. I mean, today was pretty messed up to begin with."

Zephyrus grinned at her. "You would? That'd be amazing! Thank you!"

He paused, staring at her. "But what do you want in return?"

Faith closed her eyes, wondering, if there was one thing that she wanted from Jack, what would it be. After a moment, she opened her eyes and lifted her chin, looking Zephyrus square in the eye. She knew what she wanted.

"A promise. I want you to promise me that, no matter what happens to you in the future or even in the past, you'll remember that you are a good man, Zephyrus Ambrose."

Zephyrus blushed slightly at Faith's request. "Me? A good man? Well, I suppose I'm not terrible, unless you ask Professor Wolfe. . . But why would you ask for that? We've only just. . . oh."

He stared at her, ambivalent. "Well, uh. . . I hope I haven't offended you." He turned away and fled to the kitchen.

Faith felt as if she'd been punched in the gut. She nearly doubled over.

Dammit. What have I done?

Susie grabbed Faith round the shoulders, holding her up, and searched her eyes. "I'm not sure what that was all about honey, but you look like you've seen a ghost."

"Not a ghost," she gasped. She closed her eyes and attempted to pull herself together. "Excuse me for a moment."

With that, she followed Zephyrus into the kitchen.

The Boeshanian paced back and forth, head in his hands, muttering to himself. "You're an idiot. Playing with fire. You don't know. . . how could you? I can't. . ."

Suddenly, he heard a low growl from under the sink. He stopped, grabbing a dull, rusty knife from the drawer behind him.

Without a hesitation, Faith dashed up to Zephyrus and pulled him back to the doorway. She looked back at the sink and her eyes widened.

He shook her off, blue eyes fierce. "Faith, get back! It might be something dangerous!"

He ran towards the sink cabinet, ripping the door open. Something large and black leapt out of it, bounding towards Faith. Faith began to chant under her breath. A faint, almost unnoticeable glow surrounded the beast.

Zephyrus stared in horror as the creature writhed in pain. "Faith! Faith, stop! You're hurting it!"

Faith froze and fell to her knees beside the creature, which now appeared to be a black hound of unusual size. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!"

She reached out and embraced the large dog. "I never thought I'd see you again!"

Zephyrus ran forward and caught her. "Faith, are you alright? Did it hurt you?"

The black beast barked, licking him on the cheek.

Faith laughed. "I'm fine, Zeph. This is Sampson. I rescued him when he was a pup. But I haven't seen him in years."

She kissed the dog on the head. "I missed you, you silly pup!"

Zephyrus smiled, but suddenly his eyes grew cold. "So what in the hell was he doing under my sink?"

Faith looked the dog directly in the eyes, then back up at Zephyrus. "I have absolutely no idea."

"I can answer that!" cried an exuberant voice. The Tenth Doctor staggered in from the kitchen, dusting himself off. "Inter-vortex wormhole breach. Which is a fancy way of saying the area under your sink is a magical time portal. Hello, Faith! Nice to see you again! Who's the sti– oh. Oh my. Well, this is a little embarrassing."

He reached out his hand to Zephyrus. "John Smith. Plumber."

Faith chuckled into Sampson's fur.

Susie came running in at all the noise. She looked between the dog and the stranger warily. "Wow, this seems to be our day for entertaining strangers…"

Faith nodded. "That it appears to be."

Suddenly, a bolt of electricity shot from the sink, hitting Faith directly in the chest. As she fell over, unconscious, Zephyrus rushed to her.

"Faith?" he cried in shock. "Faith!" He pressed an ear to her mouth. "Oh, no. She's not breathing. Susie! Take Mr. Smith and go find a doctor, quickly!"

He began to administer CPR. Ten cringed.

"C'mon you!" cried Susie. "We need to get help!" She grabbed the stranger's arm and started pulling him towards the door.

Suddenly, an angry voice resounded from the sink. "EXTERMINATE THE DOCTOR! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!"

Zephyrus paled. "Oh, shit."

Ten groaned. "Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. He followed me."

Susie just stared at the thing in front of them in shock. "We're gonna need a bigger house…"

Ten rushed the dalek, shoving it back under the sink and closing the door. He trained the sonic on it. "There, that should solve it. . . so long as no one opens the cupboard for a while. Now then, miss, I suppose we should go do what jacket boy here suggests and go find a doctor. Or we could, you know, go for a walk. Or something."

Zephyrus hissed at him bitterly. "Why are you being so calm? She's dying over here! I can't get her to breathe."

"Well, technically. . ." explicated Ten. He paused, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh, I've a brilliant idea! Come along, miss. Let's go get some help. Here boy!"

He grabbed Susie and Sampson and ran for the door.

Susie tried to stop the headlong rush, but the stranger was stronger than he looked. "Hey! what the hell? Stop dragging me!"

Zephyrus leaned over the prone girl. "Wake up, Faith. Please, wake up." He wasn't making any progress. He bowed his head, trying not to cry.

Faith stirred. "Buon Dio! What hit me?" she moaned, rubbing her sternum and looking up at Zephyrus.

Oh shoot…

Zephyrus stared down at her, his face flooding with relief. "Oh, thank God!" He picked her off the floor, kissing her passionately.

Faith stiffened in shock. When her brain finally reattached itself, she tried to pull away.

Oh God this can not be happening…

Zephyrus pulled back, blue eyes wide in concern. "I'm. . . is everything ok? I'm sorry. I just. . ."

"Um…" she started.

Oh gosh. How to explain…

"Zephyrus. I-I'm sorry but I…"

Good LORD! Spit it out, woman!

He let go of her and stood up, turning away. "Sorry. You're right. I. . . there's no reason why I should have thought you. . . I know I'm not very attractive."

Faith shook her head fervently. "That's not it! I swear that's not it! You are one of the most attractive men I know. It's… it's just that this is… practically incest."

Faith looked away.

Zephyrus turned back in shock. "What do you mean?"

Faith bit her lip in embarrassment.

What to say? What to say?

He smiled softly, trying to ease her concern. "I know we know each other. When I'm older, I mean. It's the only reason why you would have said what you said. So I'll assume our relationship is close, but not. . . that close. I'm sorry for that. I was just happy you were alive."

He held out a hand to her. "I do hope that we can be friends. I like you a lot. And, I guess if that's all you're comfortable with, I'll deal."

Faith's shoulders relaxed in relief. She took his hand and smiled at him. "I'd like that."

Just then, Tobias stumbled in, his eyes wide with confusion. "What's going on here? Wh. . ."

Zephyrus stared at his friend. "Tobias? When did you get out of the hospital? You don't look so good."

He moaned. "Doctor. . . took Luci and Mira. . . left me behind. . . something strange is going on."

Faith's eyes widened. She dashed over to Tobias. "What happened? Are you alright?"

Tobias smiled back at her crookedly. "Heh. I'm alright, luv. Just a concussion. But I. . . hope I'm not interrupting something. Zephie?"

Zephyrus blushed. "No. Tobias, everything's fine. Did he say where he was taking them?"

He shook his head. "No. I. . . how well do you know this guy?"

Susie returned in a huff. "Of all the idiotic, useless strangers, He ditched me…" Susie stopped midsentence as halfway through the door she spotted Tobias.

Her eyes widened before she rushed forward to throw herself into his arms. "Toby! What are you doing home? Are you okay?"

He gasped in pain. "Bruised. . . ribs. . . ow."

Susie hurriedly moved back, looking at him in concern. "Oh dammit, I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking. I was just so glad to see you back!"

He kissed her gently on the nose. "Besides that, though, I'm mostly all right. Now who's this bad man who ditched you?"

She leaned in and kissed him quickly. "Bad man? Oh, that one. No idea. Showed up in our kitchen unexpectedly."

He looked carefully at Zephyrus. "That seems to be happening a lot lately. Know anything about this?"

Zephyrus shook his head, smirking. "Only that we should probably find a new hideout. This one's got a portal under the sink."

Tobias whistled. "A portal? Oh man, I knew this house was cool!"

Faith rubbed her forehead. With so many Doctors running around… Her eyes widened. "Did he just vanish?"

Susie looked at Faith in confusion. "Now that you mention it, yeah, he did. What the hell is going on?"

Faith closed her eyes. "Dammit this is bad!" she whispered. She looked at the rest of the people in the room.

Susie sighed. "Faith? Do you have something you wish to share with the rest of us?"

Suddenly, all the lights went out.

"What the?" exclaimed Zephyrus. "It's midday. . ." He ran to the window. Everything was darkness.