Evie Grace (Repost)

Carol returns from South Africa.

When I wrote this fic to start (almost a year ago) I was a very new writer. I want to have another crack at this fic, so enjoy. Will probably post some new content as well.

Chapter 3: Canary Yellow Marigolds and Lack Of Caffeine

As he descended the flight of stairs to sleeping unconsciousness, Tony shot upright, realising that he had to set the alarm for tomorrow morning, or else risk the wrath of Alex.

'It's sad really?' he said to himself. 'I was about to have the best night's sleep ever, and I woke up to set the alarm? I really do need a life.'

Setting the alarm, he turned over, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

The alarm rang its resonating chorus across Tony's bedroom, its continual ringing and the bright flashes forcing him out of bed as it did every morning. His eyes still shut, and in his usual morning ritual, his hand reached out from under the warm of the duvet and slammed down on the offending object several times, until the loud noise emanating from it stopped, leaving the room in a peaceful silence once more.

Sighing, Tony ran a hand through his dark hair, beginning to grey around the edges. In stages, he began to sit up. Once upright, he sighed once more and set about getting ready for the day.

Wrapping his bath robe around himself, Tony opened his wardrobe and began to browse it for something to wear today. He felt like a girl preparing for a first date, scrutinizing every outfit to find the perfect one.

'What are you doing Tony?' he said out loud to himself in his usually bizarre way. 'You don't care about what you wear, you don't care! So why do you suddenly care? Subconscious feeling that the female Captain would be worth dressing up for? Preening your feathers like a vain peacock? Feeling particularly inadequate today?'

Shaking himself out of his strange trance like mindset, Tony laid out a pair of black trousers and a blue collared shirt on his bed, the smartest clothing he owned if you didn't count that awfully bad fitting suit that he reserved for the sort of university functions that required that sort of outfit.

Giving a big yawn and stretching out the knots that had occurred in his body after the night's slumber, Tony left the bedroom in favour of the bathroom, and began to have the shower he so desperately needed before he went to bed, relishing the feel of the hot water on his skin.

After quickly and rigorously brushing his teeth to erase any odour of last night's takeaway, Tony quickly dried off and got dressed, deciding to make a metaphorical hole in the washing up from last night and make coffee.

As he donned his attractive bright-yellow Marigolds and tackled the washing up as quickly as he could, he left them to drain and switched the kettle on with his soapy wet gloved hand.

The doorbell rang, and Tony left the kettle boiling to go and answer it. It was Alex, he knew that, she was picking him up from here then they were going to the airport to pick up the Captain of the Johannesburg Police.

'Morning,' she said with a bemused tone, noting the rubber gloves. 'Becoming a domestic goddess?'

Cringing slightly at the fact that he was still wearing the gloves, Tony said, 'I need to get a dishwasher...'

'Miracle inventions,' remarked Alex. 'Get rid of the canary coloured gloves, we have a Captain to pick up.'

'Aye aye sir,' he said bluntly, saluting her, noting her gazed, he corrected himself, 'Ma'am.'

'Now gender confusion has been set aside, we can leave,' she said with a laugh.

'But I need coffee!' exclaimed Tony.

'I'll buy you a large one at the airport while we're waiting,' she said, compromising.

'Fine,' said Tony.

'Come on then,' she said, noticing him dawdling.

'Sure,' he said, sitting in the car and gazing out of the window.

'I'll put the radio on,' said Alex after a few short minutes of silence.

Tony ignored her, finding a fascination in the blurred lines on the road passing by.

'I think I might talk to a brick wall, I'll get further,' remarked Alex, turning on the radio.

He still ignored her, so she gave up attempting to communicate with him, paying attention to the music. It was soulful and slow with a gentle beat.

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she always gone too long anytime she goes away

Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away

And I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know

Hey I'll leave the young thing alone
But ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Only darkness everyday

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away

Sensing some movement from Tony's side of the car, Alex looked around. From Tony's overly serious concentrated face, she could tell that he'd been paying close attention to the lyrics. They meant something to him.

'You okay Tony?' she asked, breaking his concentration.

'Yeah, sure,' he replied quietly, going back to staring out of the window.