InsaneJournal

Who: Martha Smith-Jones & Owen Harper
What: Martha must interrogate Owen on his new relationship
When: Backdated to Monday, June 11th. Afternoon
Where: Colligo Clinic
Status: Complete

It had been a few months now since Martha had woken up in the library and found herself, once again, in a strange world. However, unlike all the other times, she had been alone. Or she had thought she was alone anyway. It hadn’t taken long to find out that not only was The Doctor there, in a different regeneration, but so was Jack, Ianto and Owen so it wasn’t all bad. Of course Mickey wasn’t there and had yet to show up, but at the moment that was probably a good thing considering Rose Tyler was also there and Mickey was her ex-boyfriend. Of course Martha missed her husband and held out hope that Asaph would decide to abduct him too, but for now she was happy that she had her friends there. However, now Martha was thinking of Mickey even more after the accidental voice post which had outed Owen’s new relationship over the weekend. As confused and shocked Owen had seemed at the prospect that everyone in Colligo had heard, she couldn’t help being amused and now was very interested in finding out just how long this had been going on.

The best part was that Owen couldn’t exactly avoid her, because they worked together at the Clinic and they were bound to run into each other at some point during the day and when that happened, Martha was determined to interrogate her friend. Sure, she hadn’t known Owen for very long when she’d come to work for Torchwood, but she’d heard enough about his reputation that she knew, for the most part, what he was like with women so she was very interested in just how he and his roommate had become a couple.

Owen Harper had a deceptive reputation. Sure, he had spent a good chunk of his life at Torchwood as both a womanizer and a man unsettled by the idea of commitment. Long term relationships had been something that he had completely sworn off for the longest time, and the causal, fly-by-night attitude that he had adopted had left many people with opinions about his state of dealing with the opposite (or occasionally, the same) sex that were rather severely contrary to how he actually felt. Because, the truth of the matter really was, the longer that Owen actually spent with someone, the more hopelessly attached he became even if it was only supposed to be a causal thing.

It was what had happened with Suzie. It was what had happened with Gwen. It was why he had given Tosh such a wide berth in that department for the longest time since you didn’t just start something casual with your best friend only to have it end with you having a sad little puppy dog crush without it ruining everything that had existed before. And this was exactly what was happening with Cordelia. As casual as it had started, as antagonistic and unreasonable as it has began, he was really starting to like her.

The difference between this time and any of the times before, though, was that for once, his awkward puppy dog crush wasn’t going to ruin things. And for the first time since Diane, for the first time since Katie, he was actually starting a feel comfortable opening himself up. Which was probably a good thing since Owen was more than expecting to get an earful about it since accidentally broadcasting one of his and Cordy’s fights over the network.

Sparing a glance up from the paperwork in front of him, a bit thankful about the lack of patients for the day, Owen turned his attention to Martha as he could practically feel her eyes boring into him. “What? Really, what is it? Do I have something on my face?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, Martha smirked at Owen and shook her head, “No, there’s nothing on your face.” It was probably quite obvious from her smirk what she planned on harassing him about; after all, she had told him that she’d get the details out of him at a later date and now was that date. “However, I am extremely curious about your budding relationship.” If it was anyone else, with the exception of Jack, Martha probably wouldn’t have been quite so inquisitive, but she knew...well hoped...that Owen wouldn’t mind her asking questions. Besides, without Mickey there, she had to live vicariously through other people’s relationships for the time being. Still smirking, she moved closer to where he was doing his paperwork, “So, you and Cordelia. How long has it been going on?” As out of the blue as Owen’s relationship seemed, Martha was genuinely happy for him.

Owen really should have expected that. Since he’d pretty much let the whole thing spill out into the public, it really was just inevitable that someone would want to know more details about what in the world had happened. After all, he and Cordelia had pretty much started out loathing each other, doing whatever they could to get a one-up on the other, but eventually, the antagonism had settled from vicious into playful. They challenged each other, balanced each other, and that was what it all boiled down to, really. “Awhile,” Owen said with a hint of amusement in his voice. “Apparently, if you yell at each other enough, threaten violence, and engage in mutual embarrassment, it really is just a matter of time before you fall into bed together. At least, with the two of us. I’m still trying to figure out exactly how screwed up I am in that respect.”

Martha smiled as she listened to Owen and finally moved to hop up on an empty spot on the exam table where Owen had been doing his paperwork, “So, it was your typical fairytale romance then.” Martha hadn’t actually met Cordelia yet, but she had seen her posts on the Network on occasion and she seemed like a nice person and good for Owen, “So does that mean the prank war is over or are you guys too stubborn to let it go?” She’d heard about the prank war Owen have been involved in with his roommate and had to admit that they were both extremely creative in their pranks and she certainly didn’t want to get on either of their bad sides.

“Over, probably not, but it’s definitely been tamped down on both sides,” Owen said with a quiet chuckle. God knows that he was still paying the residuals on his first act of terrorism against Cordelia’s wardrobe, and that the other room was still rather barren of furniture, but neither seemed to be something that pained either of them greatly anymore as Owen no longer had had any issue with buying her clothes (though, her tastes were still ridiculously expensive), and well, they only really needed one room. “Of course, if we find reason to let it escalate again, I’ll give you a heads up. I’d hate to have you get caught in the crossfire.”

“Please do. I’d rather not get doused with something or attacked by some sort of small animal simply because I went to your office to talk or came by your flat.” Martha could only imagine what those two would come up with based on everything else she’d heard of, “Also, remind me not to get on your bad side. I’m rubbish at pranks. I’d have to concede and let you win.” Of course that wasn’t entirely true; Martha didn’t give up when she put her mind to something and was sure that she could get help from Jack or The Doctor if she really needed it, but she couldn’t let Owen know that just in case the opportunity ever arose.

She placed the clipboard she’d been carrying around with her, down on her lap as she glanced over Owen’s paperwork for a moment before looking at him again, “So, had Asaph decided not to have some fun with the two of you, how long were you going to continue keeping it a secret?” She was genuinely curious how long it would have been before they’d gone public if they hadn’t been inadvertently outed.

“Small animals?” Owen asked with a bit of a laugh, trying to imagine exactly what sort of creatures that Cordelia might sic on him should he give her a reason. He wasn’t about to test her just to see what would happen, though. He greatly valued his life, his limbs, and his sanity. “I hope it wouldn’t come to anything like that,” He said before beaming. “And you realize you’ve basically given me the ability to win any major disagreement that we get into with one foul swoop, right?” He asked, mischief sparkling in his eyes before he shook his head at her question.

“Indefinitely, probably,” Owen said before laughing. “Or, until we got to the position that is got majorly serious,” He said. Sure, it was more than just casual now, but more than casual wasn’t exactly the same recipe as a relationship where two people were ready and willing to tie the knot. And Owen was pretty damn sure that they weren’t anywhere close to that yet.

“You know, mice or spiders. Anything along those lines,” Martha laughed and shook her head in response to his statement, “We’ll just have to see about that, Dr. Harper. Just because I may not be very good at pranks doesn’t mean I’m not a master manipulator. I did travel with The Doctor, after all.” Talking about her exploits with The Doctor caused her to miss those days bouncing around time and space in the TARDIS, but she was just glad that he was there in Colligo even if he was slightly different, “And you realize that if my husband ever shows up we are double dating.” Martha wasn’t usually the sort to double date, after all, a date for her and Mickey was usually going after some creature, but the idea of a double date with Owen, Cordelia and Mickey was a rather entertaining thought.

A double date. Oh, lord. Owen could only imagine how that would actually go. Owen might have known next to nothing about Martha’s husband beyond what she had told him, but Owen could only figure that it would have been an interesting evening no matter what he was like. “Are you sure you want to risk it?” Owen asked with a hint of amusement. “We could all end up at each others’ throats. Or, worse, only two or three of us end up bickering, with the others trying not to be awkward about it.”

“I think that you and Mickey would get along fine. I mean, he gets on fine with Jack and traveled with The Doctor for awhile as well, so I don’t see why you two wouldn’t get along.” As much as Martha wanted Mickey in Colligo, she knew it would be weird with Rose there as well, or worse, he could come from a time when he was still hung up on Rose. Of course she wished for the former, as awkward as that would be for all of them. “And if Cordelia and I got on fine as well, then no one would be at anyone’s throat. And besides, you only have to worry about a double date if he shows up.” As happy as Martha appeared to be for Owen, it was obvious in her tone that talking about Mickey made her sad and honestly, she didn’t mind if Owen picked up on it.

Owen couldn’t help but laugh a bit at the first statement, “Well, if he gets along with Jack, he’d probably be able to tolerate anyone,” He said with a bit of a wolfish grin before his gaze softened and he reached out to settle a hand lightly on Martha’s arm. “I know what it’s like,” Owen said softly, “knowing that you might never see someone that you care so deeply about again. But we’ve all got to go back home sometime, Martha. Even if it’s years from now.”

Martha was aware of the fact that while she was in Colligo at that moment, technically she was still back as well and if and when she was ever sent back, she’d go right back to the moment that she was taken from and in most cases, wouldn’t remember a thing about being there so it would be as if she had never left Mickey. She smiled at Owen, thankful to have a couple friends in Colligo, “I know. It would just be nice if he was here too. As awkward as it would be with Rose, I wish he was here.” She couldn’t recall if she’d actually mentioned the fact that her husband was also Rose’s ex boyfriend, to Owen before, but if he was delving into her private life for her, she felt it was only right that she open up a little as well, “Did I tell you that Rose and Mickey dated?”

“Can’t say I recall you mentioning that,” Owen said with a bit of a laugh before quirking an eyebrow at her. “Is this a thing with you people that go about with the Doctor, then? Share and share alike?” The question was asked in a way that was clearly jest, the devious amusement dancing in his eyes as he waited for her reaction.

Knowing that he was joking, Martha wasn’t offended in the least, but that didn’t stop her from giving him a good smack in the shoulder, “As far as I know this is the only instance of sharing. Him and Rose haven’t seen each other in some time considering she’s in a parallel universe back home and all, so it would be interesting to see how they’d react to seeing one another again.” She knew that she’d have nothing to worry about where Rose was concerned since Mickey was over her and Rose was still in love with The Doctor as far as she knew.

“Yeah. I’ve heard that that makes things complicated, being trapped in parallel universes. Or the past,” Owen said with a bit of a sad smile. “And don’t try and get anyone back from either. Apparently those attempts love to rip holes in the fabric of the universe and then things get really messy,” He said, knowing that joking about how he’d nearly ended the world probably wasn’t the best thing to bring up in this conversation. But it was simpler than trying to think too hard about potential relationship awkward between Martha’s husband and the Doctor’s girl. Or, well, one of the Doctors’ girls since technically this River was actually the Doctor’s girl. Time travel was confusing. “And it would certainly be interesting, if interesting is a codeword for awkward.”

“Mickey had actually been stuck in the same parallel universe that Rose is currently in. It’s a long story, but the parallel version of Mickey had been killed when Cybermen attacked and Mickey stayed in his place in an attempt to move on.” Even if Martha had technically been engaged to someone else when she’d first met Mickey, she was glad that he’d stayed in the right universe after the whole thing with Medusa Cascade fiasco, because otherwise she probably wouldn’t have gotten back into freelance work since it had been Mickey who had convinced her to join him, “I think interesting is certainly a good codeword for awkward.”

Cybermen, the very word sent a chill through Owen’s spine, but he understood the situation a little better now. He supposed, if there were cybermen to get rid of, in a place that needed help, in a world where you knew the other you had died and that nobody would think twice if you stepped into their place, that staying wouldn’t have been such a bad idea. Though, obviously he’d gotten back, and even if Owen wondered about that, he figured there would be an explanation for it. There always was in their line of work. “I definitely think it’s one that we should stick with,” Owen said with a grin. “Just in case.”

“Sounds good to me,” Martha smiled then caught sight of the clock on the wall, “Well, I’ve got a few patients to check on and I should probably let you get back to this thrilling paperwork.” She pushed herself off the exam table and straightened her white lab coat, “I hope you didn’t mind me asking about everything. I’m normally not quite so nosy.” She really did hope that he didn’t mind, but then again, she was pretty sure that if he had then he wouldn’t have answered her questions and probably would have told her to go away, “I’d love to meet Cordelia soon, but only when you two feel ready.” She didn’t want to force a visit or anything on them if they weren’t comfortable going out as a couple just yet or having anyone over.

“Soon enough,” Owen said with a bit of a nervous laugh. “We were dragged a bit forcefully out into the light, but I’m sure we’ll be ready to start entertaining eventually.” Owen flashed Martha a bit of a grin. “And then you can be as nosy as you like.”

“Well as long as I have your permission to be nosey, I’ll do my best to pry. I won’t let you down.” Martha smirked and turned towards the way she had come when she’d found Owen earlier and glanced at him over her shoulder, “I’m glad that you’re happy, Owen.”

Owen glanced up at Martha, a soft smile on his features as he nodded towards her, “Yeah,” He said, the words lingering for a moment, a bit of wistfulness in his tone. “So am I.”