Chapter 2-Severed Ties

Jenny lay back in the armchair, reassured by the heat of the fire. She was scanning the fabric they collected last night up and down, examining every thread individually whilst comparing them to ones in her book.

Vastra entered the living room after picking up a book and took the seat next to her, taking another look at the fabric itself.

"It's no use, it's not in the book," Jenny said, slamming the book firmly shut, "Which means we 'avent seen them before."

"Perhaps, " Vastra mused. "Or they just changed their symbol."

"Why would they do that?"

"To hide themselves, protect their identity better to keep themselves cloaked from the world."

"Mmm… makes sense," Jenny said nodding, "But it also makes it a 'ell of a lot harder for us to find 'em though"

Vastra looked over at Jenny, who was staring aimlessly up at the ceiling. She often did that when she was thinking.

"It's strange though," Jenny continued, squinting at the symbol as if it could make a difference.

"What is?" Vastra inquired, putting down her book to focus back on Jenny.

"I just feel like I've seen the symbol somewhere before, don't know 'ow though; if they have changed their symbol it would be impossible."

Vastra stayed listening, mulling over her thoughts. She learnt never to question Jenny or critique her opinion. Chances were, Jenny had unconsciously recognized this symbol.

Jenny sat upright and leaned forward slightly to speak.

"Maybe… I should look through my book, give us some information on what we're up against, if I 'ave seen it before of course."

"No" Vastra said abruptly. "We have this conversation before, we never risk knowing our future, no matter how desperate the circumstances."

"Well, how the bloody 'ell are we supposed to find out then?"

Vastra could see that Jenny was getting mad. She knew very well that Jenny was the never the patient one in their relationship, or at work, of course.

"We will get Strax to survey the streets, ask the townspeople for information; we'll find a way," Vastra said with certainty. She had leaned the skills of lying over the months of living with Jenny. She had become very good. Too good.

Jenny listening to the alternatives; none of them seemed promising.

Vastra leant over, resting her arm onto Jenny's chair. "Jenny, promise me that you won't read your book, or any other book for that matter. It's too dangerous."

Jenny, once again returned to staring up at the ceiling. Was it easier just to accept Vastra's way? Jenny simply nodded and walked out the room and headed upstairs without a sound. Why did Vastra always treat her as a child? She was eighteen for god's sake. She knew full well that Vastra's method wasn't going to be in the slightest bit effective, and not to mention time consuming, and by the time Vastra found anything out, the gang would have tormented half the town.

Jenny shut her bedroom door shut and headed back downstairs to head straight for the door. She decided she try to use Vastra's method first, that way, if it was useless, she'd have a perfectly logical explanation for looking into her book.

Vastra perked up at the noise of the door slamming. She waited till Jenny walked past before she spoke.

"Jenny?"

Jenny stopped in her footsteps and slowly took a few paces back to meet Vastra's concerned gaze.

"Where are you going?"

"We are running low on supplies, unless you want to starve to death, I'd recommend letting me leave."

Vastra sniffed the air, letting her tongue taste the scent around her.

"You're lying," she said simply.

Jenny stood still. She was sure she gave nothing away this time."'ow did you –"

"I shall repeat my first question, and this time I expect the correct answer."

"Why are you treating me like a kid? Am I allowed to act independently, or do I need to ask your permission to do that as well?"

"To act independently, I need your trust. And if you think lying is the way to achieve that, then yes, you do require my permission."

Vastra knew fully well she couldn't control Jenny, nor would she want to, but protecting her was a whole other story.

Jenny didn't know what to say. It was true that she had been strange recently, ever since Torchwood. Jenny knew her behaviour was uncalled for sometimes, but she had a reason to be. She didn't nearly forget everything and everyone, not to mention nearly drowning; but she had to act strong around Vastra. She couldn't have Vastra thinking she was weak. She just couldn't.

"But I'm your… We are-"

"Right now Jenny, you are nothing more than my maid. Now do as I say and stay inside!"

Jenny couldn't stand this anymore. Being interrogated after everything they had been through. [They were meant to be equals, without Vastra taking the lead.

"Jenny, if you leave this house, don't you dare think about coming back in!"

She hesitated. This was her home; she had nowhere else to go, but she didn't want to live in a house where she was perceived as nothing more than a maid who clung to Vastra like a child desperate for its mother. She was far more than that to Vastra, and she knew it.

She slammed the door shut behind her and walked. She didn't know where to. Just walked into the darkness of the night.

Vastra did nothing. Dragging Jenny back into the house was out of the question. She simply sat there staring into the roaring embers of the fire. Had she lost her? Had she ever had her in the first place?