Sorry my ud's always take so long, I'm ridiculously bad at keeping up with this stuff! I love writing them though, and so I hope people might still have time to read them :)
Chapter 2 – Pandora's Box
"In sickness, and in health, til death do you part."
The strong voice boomed in the fragile silence of the building, every member of the congregation decorated with an array of jewels and trinkets that glistened in the afternoon sun. The room these guests occupied was one of expensive splendour and grandeur, with navy and golden silks hanging from the walls, a coat of arms sewn onto each one. The seats were made from the finest wood, sourced from private forests and plantations. Each one was carved with a beautiful, traditional pattern. Gleaming windows let in the light of the warm spring afternoon, with the ever-present heavenly scent of fresh grass and flowers wafting in the doors of the Abbey. At the front altar stood a young man, tall and fair in appearance, with thinning short blonde hair and strikingly handsome features. He wore his military uniform with pride as he exchanged vows with his soon-to-be wife. She herself had opted for a traditional white gown, with a long silk body that had a small line pattern cut around the bottom of the dress. The top half consisted of white lace covering her chest and shoulders, with matching long white lace sleeves, and little white silk high heels to top it all off. The pair could easily have been named THE most handsome couple in the world, and every single set of eyes on them in that room would say the same.
"I understand you have a set of vows that you would like to read to each other?" The priest asked, smiling at these nervous young lovers in front of him. This day had been so highly anticipated and scrutinised that it almost seemed unreal that it was happening. Nothing had gone wrong so far, and it was nearly over!
Suddenly, in the middle of the room, the air seemed to change. It was barely noticeable at first, but soon enough people began to turn their heads and look. The groom opened his mouth, ready to speak, when suddenly a burst of energy hit the vast hall like a tidal wave of colour, wind blowing in every direction. It's appearance could only be described as a whirlpool in the sky, and each and every member of the coronation gasped in a mixture of wonderment and confusion. It spun and spun, almost like it was hypnotising everyone looking at it, when suddenly a tall figure appeared in the middle, immediately falling out and onto the floor. Almost immediately, the whirlpool vanished, leaving nothing but this disorientated man on the floor, currently checking all his teeth were still there.
When he eventually got up, everyone in the room eyed him suspiciously. Their previous wonder and awe had gone, leaving them wondering if this was some kind of sabotage.
Jack stood up awkwardly and dusted himself down. He could feel the intense pressure in his head that always accompanied a journey with the Vortex Manipulator, along with its sidekick: 'rising sickness'. Once he had regained his composure, he looked around the room and was immediately filled with horror. Oh god! He thought. This isn't good! He offered the congregation a dazzling smile that quickly faded when he was met with nothing but harsh, stony gazes. Inside he cursed himself, because he just HAD to appear here. Right now. Unavoidable. As he mentally praised himself for another colossal cock-up, a very recognisable figure spoke.
"What is the meaning of this?"
His angry eyes stared straight at Jack, boring a hole into his face. How was he going to explain this one?
"Ah, your, uh…Prince Charles. I'm…"
But he was lost for words. Where was the insane bravado he usually carried in his pocket for emergencies?
"I think you ought to explain yourself, right now!"
The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly more awkward until Jack was stifled with it. Every single set of eyes in the hall were on him, and not one single pair of them looked happy. Except…
"I really am sorry everyone." He answered, looking at the one person in the room that didn't look like they wanted to set him on fire! "I COULD explain myself, but I'm betting none of you would believe me if I tried." He decided, if he was going to get out of this one, he would have to employ the one skill he knew NEVER failed him (usually).
CHARM.
He bowed in front of Kate and William in a show of respect, before raising his head and smiling his dazzling white smile that galaxies still whispered about.
"Ah, Miss Middleton, might I say you look simply DIVINE this afternoon." He stood stock straight and offered Prince William a salute, which was – albeit hesitantly – returned. Then he turned to look Prince Charles (still furious) and Camilla, bowing once more.
"I am so terribly sorry for the intrusion your Highnesses." His smile didn't fade, even as Prince Charles clenched his fists at his side, preparing the let rip a score of anger. However, Jack never noticed as he had already turned to eye the Queen who, in turn, gave a perplexed look.
"And…" But Jack never got to finish his sentence, as he was interrupted.
"So, young stranger, you interrupt this wedding with your….fanciful tricks, and then you proceed to try and charm your way past us all, but yet you never once tell us your name. How rude!"
The Queen stood staring at Jack, waiting on his reply. He was surprised at just how…normal she seemed. He always remembered Ianto and Gwen once contemplating whether the Queen ever used a public toilet, and he tried to stifle a laugh. He bowed his head graciously at Her Majesty.
"I'm terribly sorry Your Majesty. You're right, that's just plain rude of me!" He grinned. "My name's Sidney Moore ma'am. Pleasure." He'd never offer his real name. Made that mistake once with an angry French national – never again!
"Well Mr Moore, would you mind leaving us at peace to conduct our ceremony? We will have no more of your outlandish pranks today thank you." Her tone was clipped, meaning she wasn't messing around, or indeed taking no for an answer.
"Yes. Of course. I'm so sorry."
He quickly turned on his heel and dashed out of the hall, as he could see many people getting close to throttling him! Sliding through a gap in the entrance, he crossed to a back way out of the grounds, avoiding all the press outside – or so he thought! Standing at the corner, armed with a small Polaroid was a geeky little man dressed in corduroy, chewing gum and generally looking as bored as humanly possible. However, when he noticed Jack, he immediately started taking photos, choosing not to announce this stranger's arrival to any of the other photographers. This was his scoop! Jack, eager to get away, simply approached the photographer and said:
"Mate, you don't wanna be taking pictures of me. If you cut around that short path there you'll get a large window that gives a straight view right to the newlyweds!"
The photographer glanced at him like he'd just been offered the last piece of chicken in a famine, before running exactly where Jack had indicated. Once he was gone, Jack breathed a sigh and rubbed his forehead. This was going to take a LOT of explaining!
By the time he realised he had been directed to a window showing the inside of the women's toilets, and gained a smack off of a royal guard for his trouble, the strange American man was gone.
End of Chapter 2.
Thanks! Please R+R x