Chapter 13

Author's Note: I'd love to know what you think about the new direction that this goes!

Owen sat at the computer, watching the the lines flux across the screen. He frowned and narrowed his eyes; he wracked his brain trying to make sense of the readings. River perched herself on the desk in front of him and waved her manicured hand in his face.

"Don't work too hard." she thrust a mug in his hand and he nodded gratefully.

"That's why we're here isn't it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her. River smirked and rolled her eyes at him.

"Is this really what I dealt with for all those years?" she crossed her legs and leaned back, surveying him.

"Obviously it's not that bad if you keep coming back for more." his mouth twitched slightly, a small smile forming on his lips as he brought his mug to his lips. River burst into laughter. There was the sarcastic flirt she knew so well. He'd become his own master of the mask, hiding away his enthusiasm for life behind his dry and sarcastic exterior.

"How'd you like a drink later? I'm sure they won't need us all day, and I've heard there's this lovely little place down the street that becomes a real party at night." River leaned forward. Owen smiled and nodded, a bar sounded like just what he needed.

"I'd like that." his grinned widened with excitement. This was the life, an exciting job, mysterious woman and a night on the town. Too many days he got stuck with the exciting job, and it was usually too much excitement. It would be nice to have a night where no one was in jeopardy or dying, and he could discover a new city.

"You need it." River sat back, her face becoming solemn. She raised her chin and directed him to look at Jack. "I know he makes everything out to seem so bleak, and I know that theres so much horror out there." she paused and looked back at him. "But don't you ever stop and think, look at it, it's so different and strange and beautiful!"

Owen raised an eyebrow. She looked like she was becoming excited and he briefly thought about how he could get away. She seemed to sense it and she glared at him, quickly making clear he wasn't leaving.

"Yes," he nodded, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, we've seen some cool stuff." he replied in an attempt to appease her.

"Oh don't try and placate me, I know when you're doing it." she crossed her arms and pretended to look stern. Owen shook his head at her, confused.

"How do you know that?" he leaned forward and gave her his own stern look. She put a finger to her lips and smiled.

"Spoilers." she hopped off the table and began to walk away. Owen's eyes reverted back to his computer screen and he gripped his mug.

"You're not the only one with spoilers..." he muttered. He heard her footsteps pause and then return. The outrageous smirk still on her face.

"You think so." she stated, leaning against the desk. Owen refused to look at her, his own grin growing.

"I know so." he tapped at the keyboard flipping through several more screens and she pushed herself off the table.

"I take that as a challenge." Owen looked up at her.

"You're on."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OIA~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's been over an hour...should we go find them?" Martha shut her folder and looked up at Jack and Donna. Jack shook his head.

"They'll come back when they're ready." he nodded toward her file. "How's Owen doin'?" Martha sighed.

"Without the Doctor we don't know for sure what the signals are and what they're doing. We think they're remaining stable for now and Owen's still trying to match those air samples with what we have in the database." she replied. Martha crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. "The one time we need him..." she rolled her eyes. Donna frowned at her.

"That isn't fair and you know it." Donna knew her friend was hurt, and she leaned forward. "Don't dwell on the past, focus on the present. We're here now and you're leading this. Give us something to do." Martha smiled faintly and nodded.

"Yeah...alright." she stood. "Let's catch us some alien."