And now we get to meet Team Porter/Team Doctor.
Thanks to all who have reviewed so far, I love you guys!
John Porter gripped the ship's railing until his knuckles were white, not out of fear but out of exhilaration. After months of planning and traversing the ocean, they were finally here. Land was in sight and from the distance it looked to be just the kind of jungle they were hoping for.
Maybe I'll really get to see one. A gorilla, right in front of me, with my own eyes!
He got up on the middle bar of the railing and let his arms stretch out as if he were flying. As the wind whipped his floppy hair around his face, he laughed straight into the breeze with pure joy.
"John! Don't go over the edge now."
He looked over his shoulder to see his mother Maria, approaching with her navy parasol resting on her shoulders. When she took in his exuberant mood, her lined eyes crinkled into a smile that made her look ten years younger.
"Actually, I don't know why I bother," she said, sighing and brushing imaginary dust off her skirts, but not actually seeming cross, "It's not as if I could ever keep you from getting into trouble."
John hopped down from the railing and just grinned at her. "Not even you could do that, Mum."
"Thank you for the even." She chuckled. Her hand brushed a stray curl of greying brown hair behind her ear as she regarded him with thoughtful eyes that matched his exactly - right down to the same shade of green. "Oh, look at you. Twenty three and off discovering the world and helping contribute to the world of science already. I couldn't be prouder."
"Well, I've had very good teachers."
"I should think so," his father's voice said from behind him. Edmund Porter was of less words and many thoughts, but wasn't as stuffy as many believed him to be upon first impression. Many of his acquaintances joked that he had the demeanour of a man twice his age, but the intelligence and experience of such a man too. "The captain says that we should be landing within the hour. We've finally made it." Edmund's smiles were few and far between, but a small one graced his long face now.
"What do you think, Harry?" John called to his friend who had just emerged from the hold. "Is this going to be brilliant, or is this going to be mind bogglingly fantastic?"
Harold Saxon, or Harry for short, just shrugged and tapped his fingers on the gun at his hip. "Not exactly the adjectives I would use. But it should be pretty good."
John beamed. "That's the spirit, Harry. This wouldn't be half as fun without my best mate along with me."
"Yeah, well, someone's got to stop your over energetic arse from being trampled by wild beasts."
"I would never," John scoffed. "I'll have you know that I am very good at being stealthy. I am downright sly. They'd never know I was there."
"Sure."
Maria and Edmund shared an amused look. They were well used to John and Harry's banter. "Might as well get your things together for unloading, you two," the woman of the group told the youngest two. "We don't want to waste any time."
"Of course not," John agreed. He turned to go and pulled Harry with him. "Come on, Harry."
I have decided to go with Harry Saxon being John's friend despite being in the Clayton role of the AU, because it adds a little more emotional depth to the betrayal that will come later.
Reviews and feedback are awesome!
-MayFairy :)
Anonymous Review Replies:
RandomW - Glad to know Tarzan was enough to reel you in. Hopefully Aliya is worth the risk. Hope to hear more from you! :)