DISCLAIMER: Nothing belongs to me. Everything belongs to its rightful owners.
A/N: Well, I finally got around to finish the chapter. And it became bigger and bigger each day. That's the reason for it to be in two parts but you'll get it completely. I just don't want to burden you with a chapter of 7,400 words. So I decided to split it.
And since I started working last Wednesday I really don't know yet when the next and last chapter for this part will be out. Next week we're all quite busy and after that I might have some time to write. But I almost just need to write it down, I've almost got it all written out in my head. But now, I don't want to keep you any longer. Go read and, please, leave a review.
Chapter 12 – We Rule The Night (Part 1)
All is for one and one is for all
If we take the fight then you take the fall
You run from the shadows but they call my name
You search for the truth but your search is in vain
No one can save you, there's nothing to say
Deception's the name of the game
We rule the night
- We Rule The Night – Bon Jovi -
After another while Shadow got up and started to get dressed.
"What are you doing?" River was confused and half feared that Shadow was running again.
Shadow faced River. "I'm not running again. Never again from you." They shared a small smile. "But I figured, for this to work, I should show you a bit more of my life. The bits even Sarah Jane doesn't know about."
She took a pair of dark blue pants from her wardrobe and held them out in front of her. "These should fit." And she threw them on the bed next to River. "There. Put these on."
"Why?" River was still a bit confused but started to get dressed, too.
"Well, it's getting cold as soon as night falls and I don't want you to catch a cold." With that a black t-shirt and a forest green pullover joined the pants on the bed.
Shadow herself opted for black cargo pants and a dark brown pullover. And whilst River got dressed, Shadow got her gear from a drawer. She shortly looked at the various things that she had assembled over the years and then decided to take her previous version of the scanner she carried now with her.
"Ready?" Shadow asked when she turned around. Her breath caught in her throat upon laying eyes on the other woman in the room. The clothes really fitted...tightly. She closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to get a bit of control back. "I seem to be a bit smaller than you."
River smirked at the effect she had on Shadow, but decided to not push it. Shadow obviously had a plan and she didn't want to delay them further. "Yes. I'm ready. Where are we going?"
"First, upstairs. And then I'd like to visit some friends and after that I'll tell you then." Shadow opened the door and indicated for River to step out, which she did. Closing the door behind her, Shadow then ascended the stairs up to the attic, River behind her.
Shadow strode purposefully into the attic and then turned around to observe the look on River's face. And she didn't get disappointed. River looked astonished. For a moment. Then she looked at Shadow. "That's impressive. Didn't expect anything like this."
"Well, when you're impressed by that." Shadow made a sweeping gesture. "You're going to like this." With that she turned around and faced the far wall. "Mister Smith! I need you!" And with his usual fanfare Mister Smith appeared.
"Good evening, Shadow. How can I help you?" Mister Smith greeted.
River, meanwhile, was a little baffled. She had expected many things when Shadow called for Mister Smith and knew that it was a supercomputer, but something like this, no. She took a few steps forward. "This is Mister Smith?"
"Yes, it is. He's a Xylok. Anyway..." Shadow turned and looked at Mister Smith again. "...I just want to tell you that tonight, if any alien happenings in the London area should come to your attention, especially those in the area of Canary Wharf, are most probably my fault and if Sarah Jane should get wind of these, you just tell her that Torchwood got it already. Or that someone else is already diffusing the situation. Got it?"
"Am I right in my assumption that you want me to lie?"
"No, I just want you to tell a half truth, if necessary. It probably won't though. But you're the only one that can divert Sarah Jane's attention." Shadow grimaced. "Please?"
"Alright. But just this once." Mister Smith acquiesced.
"Thank you." Shadow turned around only to see that K-9 had snuck up on them and had his sensor extended towards River.
"K-9! Stop it this instant!" She hollered across the room. River also whirled around.
"Greetings, Mistress." K-9 piped up, wagging his tail.
"Is that a...dog made of metal?" She had her forehead in creases.
"Yes. And a bad dog. Explain yourself."
"I detected an unknown alien presence in the room. And located it to be this female."
"And? I know that already. That's no big deal." Shadow tried to diffuse the situation.
"I have to agree with the dog on this one. The female with you is listed in the Torchwood database as a high profile criminal. Does Sarah Jane know you brought a criminal here?" Mister Smith butted in.
Shadow grew impatient. She had intended to have Mister Smith divert Sarah Jane's attention elsewhere when there should be complications with what she wanted to show River and not have a lengthy discussion about whether it was save to have River around. She gave River an apologetic look.
"Yes, I know that she's a criminal and Sarah Jane also knows. And we both know what kind of crime she has committed. So don't think you can pull that up as a point."
"I see. I apologize."
"Good. Now...you know what to do. We'll be off." Shadow turned around to K-9 and gave him a hard look. "And you better behave while you're alone. Got that?"
"Affirmative. Question, mistress." Shadow blew out a puff of air.
"What is it, K-9?"
"I detect mingled odors from both of you and elevated levels of..."
"Get to the point!" Shadow was really not in the mood for a scientific lecture.
"It seems you have participated in sexual intercourse recently, mistress. And given the evidential parameters I conclude it has been with each other." Shadow and River shared a glance.
"You know, I always thought you wouldn't state the obvious but I think I was wrong." A small smile formed on Shadow's lips. "Yes, you are right. We had...an encounter of sexual nature."
"Do you think..." Mister Smith interjected from behind them. But Shadow quickly turned around and pointed accusingly at him.
"If you are questioning my judgement, you don't need to. I already did that enough. And now both of you, shut up." With that said, Shadow grabbed River's hand and lead her from the attic, swiftly closing the door behind her.
At the front door, Shadow briefly considered taking her coat but decided against it, in favor of being able to move more freely.
When they finally were outside, Shadow let out a relieved sigh, visibly relaxing.
"That was...interesting and different." River said. Shadow looked at her with a slightly raised eyebrow. "I was never confronted about having sex with someone by a metal dog and an alien supercomputer. But I guess there's a first for everything."
"I guess. But not many people can say that they've been caught doing the nasty by a metal dog and a supercomputer." Shadow chuckled and shortly after she burst out laughing. River, after realizing the absurdity of it all, joined in.
"We lead very complicated lives. But you wanted to visit some friends?" River said after they had calmed down again.
"Yes, I did. Come on." And Shadow led the way to the nearest bus stop, where they took a bus to where Shadow wanted to go. Upon arrival River didn't notice anything unusual. She had expected something more after the short episode in Sarah Jane's attic. But she had to hurry a bit to catch up with Shadow who was directly heading to...a flower shop?
But she had faith in Shadow and therefore she followed her inside the shop.
Inside were a lot of different flowers, a small counter on one side of the room and in front of that counter stood a blonde woman with the back towards the entrance.
"I'm sorry but we're already closed." Said the blonde woman.
"I'm aware of that. But maybe I'm just here to say hello." Shadow answered with a slightly amused smirk. The woman whirled around upon hearing that and stared at Shadow.
"You're back."
"Course I'm back. I told you so, didn't I?" Shadow stepped closer to the counter and the woman. "But anyway, I wanted to introduce you to someone. Where's Luce?"
"In the back." She turned around and called. "Luce! Would you come out here for a second?"
Pretty soon another woman appeared. Looked over at the blonde and then at Shadow. A smile appeared on her face. "You're back." Shadow nodded. Then her glance landed on River. "And you brought a friend."
"Not exactly." Shadow looked at River with a look that could only be described as pure adoration and motioned for her to come to her. River obliged with a big smile on her face. "She's my...well, it's complicated...but I think it's safe to say she's mine." Shadow looked for a sign of disapproval on River's face but found none. River's only reaction was a nod. "And I'm hers. But we skipped the introductions entirely. Luce, Rachel...this is River. River this are Luce..." She indicated to the woman on the left with the auburn hair. "...and Rachel." She motioned for the blonde woman.
After the round of nice-to-meet-you's and likewise's, Shadow decided to get the "business" part of her visit out of the way. So she focused her eyes on Luce and asked. "Hey...um...what would it cost me to have you deliver a thank-you-bouquet?"
"To who?" Luce answered.
"Sarah Jane. I think I have to thank her for, well...leaving the room and giving us space." Shadow emphasized 'us' with a jerk of her head in River's direction. "And letting us sort ourselves out."
"Ah, well, I still owe you one, so I'll get the flowers delivered for you and we're even?"
"Sounds good to me. Although others wouldn't see it like that. After all I rid you of the flower eating plants. And trust me when I say I had no idea how hard it could be to get rid of a few plants." Shadow had to chuckle at the memory. "But I think I found them a nice place. After I found out they especially like Varga plants it was a small step to dump them on Skaro. That planet is infested with these killer plants after all. And now that the Daleks are gone it was easy to get there without worrying about being exterminated. Anyway, we have a deal?" Shadow extended her hand. Luce took it. "We have a deal."
"Thank you." Then Shadow's eyes landed on Rachel, who really seemed like she wanted to ask something. "Ahh, Rachel, what do you want to know?"
"Where did you two meet? I remember you said, you were going to a prison of sorts but where would you meet someone there?" Rachel wondered.
"Well, obviously in the prison. And I can tell you, she was no guard there. But we arranged, didn't we?" Shadow asked River.
"Yes, we did. By the way, will I ever get my Extrapolator back?"
"For that you have to ask the TARDIS. I don't know what she did with it after she had redecorated. Maybe it's still in the old control room." Shadow answered truthfully.
"Oh, good. But how am I going to ask her, when she isn't here? And I don't think the Doctor hangs around here much." River challenged.
"Not anymore. But be patient. Like I know him, he'll come to you. It's just a matter of time." Shadow soothed.
"But his timing sucks." That only earned her a shrug from Shadow.
"You two are bickering like an old married couple. How long do you know each other?" Luce giggled.
River and Shadow looked at each other. "24 hours?" Shadow suggested.
"Around that." River nodded.
"God, you really are made for each other." Rachel quipped.
"Remind me again, why I count you as friends?" Shadow smirked unaffronted at Luce and Rachel. "And anyway, you two are just the same."
"Maybe. But we don't bicker like an old married couple." Luce deadpanned.
"I have trouble deciding whether to take that as a compliment or an insult. I think I will take it as both." Shadow glanced out of the window. It was getting darker each minute. "But before this escalates, I think River and I should be on our way."
"Alright, it's been good seeing you." Luce smiled.
"Yeah, really. It's always fun to have you around." Rachel added.
"Well, maybe I grace you with my presence more from now on. I don't know what the future holds. Only Time itself knows that." Shadow was guiding River to the door.
"God, don't be so pushy." River muttered to Shadow.
"I'm not pushy. I just had an idea that requires us to hurry up a bit, that's all." Shadow muttered back.
"Fine." But River sidestepped Shadow and turned around. Shadow, meanwhile, stumbled and almost fell. But in the last moment she grabbed River and used her momentum to swing herself around, too. River looked at Shadow with an amused look that was answered with a deadly glare, but her eyes betrayed her for in them all that shone through was a loving gaze. River then turned her head to face the other two in the room. "It's been really great to meet you. I hope we'll meet again someday."
"That would be great. And you take care of that one. She tends to live a bit...on the wild side of life." Luce laid an arm around Rachel's waist.
"Trust me, I know. Goodbye." River smiled, turned around and walked out of the shop.
"Well then. See you around. Bye." Shadow also turned around to leave.
"Shadow?" Rachel called, making Shadow turn around again.
"Hm?" Shadow looked at her with raised eyebrows.
Rachel genuinely smiled. "The look of love suits you."
Shadow's only response was a half smile and a grateful look. Then she finally turned around and joined River on the sidewalk.
Shadow had led them to an Underground station where they took a train into the city. When they emerged from the tunnel again night had fallen completely.
River saw and felt that something in Shadow shifted. Her whole stance had changed and her breathing was different. It seemed that she was sniffing the air. Then she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and even raised her nose a bit towards the night sky. Then with a jerk of her head and a clipped "Come on." Shadow took off. River followed.
"You know, I might get tired of following you." River said when she had caught up and fallen into step besides Shadow.
"I hope not. But I couldn't change it. Anyway...and I apologize if I come across as rude here but I have to tell you this beforehand..." Shadow had led them to the entrance of a dark alley. There she stopped and fully faced River. River involuntarily gasped. Shadow's features had hardened. Before her stood a fully fledged warrior. Someone who had seen blood and battle. Someone who took charge of a situation...any situation. And Shadow's aura had changed, too. It was darker. Cruel. Incredibly powerful. And it almost made River take a step back but here her training kicked in. She faced the danger that might come at her. And some part of her did tell her that Shadow would never hurt her.
"This is my playground. Here I am the unquestioned authority. What I do here is something that not many people understand. It has to do with balance. And I might seem like I'm the bad guy. Like I have no respect for the law or anything. I do respect the law. But here, to survive, you have to play by different rules. The only thing that keeps you alive are street smarts. The art of fighting dirty but fair. And I have my sources for information. But today, I want to introduce you to someone who calls the shots in this city's underworld and only takes orders from me." Shadow's eyes softened. "Because when you should find yourself in this city without me, I want to know that you're safe. I want to know that no one hassles you. And if anyone should have the nerve, I want to know that that stupid idiot gets what he deserves. And if he should...miraculously...survive it, never ever can relax again because he will be hunted down until he is dead."
"Could it be that you're a tad bit possessive?" River interjected.
Shadow stepped very close to River and laid a hand on her right cheek. A smile found it's way onto her features. "Maybe." She drew River in for a chaste kiss. "What I'm trying to say is that you might not recognize me on occasions tonight. Seem like a complete stranger to you. But although that might be the case, do not, under any circumstance, interfere with what I'm going to do. Even if it might seem like I'm going to kill someone. And I noticed that you almost took a step away from me earlier. My senses are heightened. And, really, I wouldn't hold it against you, if you should actually take a step away from me because you are afraid. I know how I can get."
"I know you would never hurt me. And I will stand at your side. Come what may. My faith lies with you." River had lain her forehead on Shadow's. A look of utter devotion and confidence in her eyes.
"Well, if that's so." Shadow considerably calmed. She still had that powerfulness about her but River felt that something had changed. "Let's go. It's time."
Shadow took two steps away and then held out her hand, palm upwards. River recognized that gesture. Shadow was putting her faith in River, but her overall stance still said that in this situation she was calling the shots. And Shadow wordlessly asked for River's acceptance of the rules.
River accepted the offered hand, intertwining their fingers and therewith also accepting the terms Shadow had set down. And together they walked down the alley.
At the end of the alley stood a hoarding with attached plastic tarp. And in front of this stood two fierce looking mountains of men.
Shadow let go of River's hand, her mask securely in place again, and just casually strode up to them.
"Hey. I wanna see your boss." Shadow demanded.
"Who do you think you are? The boss talks to no one. Now get lost before I shoot you." Was the quite rude answer of the guy on the right.
"Oh really? That's not what he said the last time I was here." Shadow's taunting smirk was firmly in place. "Now you get lost or you will regret it."
The guys drew their guns and pointed them at Shadow. River grew a tad bit nervous. Shadow stood there totally unfazed. "Ladies, ladies...you're new, right? And I'm sorry but you shouldn't have provoked me."
And with a sudden burst of movement Shadow had both men down on their knees and their guns in her hands aimed straight between their eyes. "You really should be nicer. And not everyone that casually walks up to you and demands to see your boss wants to kill him."
She threw down the guns in front of the guys and took a step back. "Now, again. I wanna see your boss."
The men grabbed their guns and looked at each other. Then decided to let Shadow and River pass and opened the hoarding.
Shadow led them along a darkened corridor and then down another corridor. At the end of this was a door. Shadow shortly paused at the door, hand on handle, and turned to River to see how she was holding up. "These people are kind of rough. And don't like to take no for an answer and you're gorgeous, if you know what I mean... Just stay close to me and holler if anyone gets frisky."
River nodded. She had encountered her fair share of rough and tumble individuals. And even some that tried something they later regretted. But here it seemed like they were walking right into the lions den without back up or weapons. But she had promised to have faith in Shadow and that was exactly what she did now. She had faith in her abilities and Shadow's to keep her and them safe.
Shadow turned around again and swiftly swung the door open, revealing a big room with a high ceiling. At the other end of the room was an elevated platform and a big guy sat on it. The sides were flanked by many other men and women, all curious who the newcomer was.
Shadow just nodded and closed the door behind them. Then took River's hand and walked directly up to the big guy. Probably the boss, River reckoned.
"Hey, Gabriel Doyle. How's business?" Shadow greeted and the big guy immediately jumped to his feet and went to shake hands with Shadow and River.
"The usual. But how is yours?" He was enthusiastic. That was not what River had anticipated after the short episode with the guards. She took a closer look at the guy. He was big, probably early, mid-fifties, his dark hair was slightly streaked with gray, dark eyes. If one would meet him on the street one wouldn't even notice him.
"Same old, same old. But I need to talk to you about something. Could we go somewhere a bit more...private?" Shadow, indeed, had changed her manners and composure. Her voice was a tad bit lower.
"Of course. Come along." And they followed Doyle.
River noticed that some of the people in the room where staring, no, leering at her. Usually she wouldn't care but it seemed that Shadow did, for she drew her closer and laid a possessive arm around her waist and shot the others a death glare. River never imagined she could like someone with such a possessive streak but she had to admit to herself that she didn't mind it in Shadow one bit.