InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "but will it go unrequited???"

Dorothy "Ace" Gale McShane (timevigilante) wrote in mirage_rpg,
@ 2008-07-06 19:24:00

Entry tags:

ace, complete, day 6, the doctor

Day Six
Who: Ace & The Doctor
When: evening
What: fireworks...
Where: by the lake
Rating: G - PG for swearing maybe
Status: Complete

She was starting to like this planet -- just a little bit. A lot actually. Not to say she wanted to stay indefinitely, but she could keep herself occupied for some time if the planet continued to provide her with chemicals and substances of various explosive qualities from any planet she could think of. Chemicals she'd never been able to get her hands on before. Not to mention any kind of equipment she needed.

Of course, she probably looked more then a little goofy wheeling a little red wagon full of god knows what across the grounds, but she figured she shouldn't play with her new things in doors. Ace didn't want to accidentally blow the resort up. So she set up by the lake -- far enough away that people wouldn't be hurt, horses wouldn't be spooked, and if anything went wrong there was loads of water around. A small fold out table, two small burners, glass bottles of different colored liquids, blocks of X-27 (her favorite; an alien type of C-4...only better) and things she didn't even recognize.

The brunette was a self taught chemist. Perhaps not very safe, but she was very clever. Setting down a few marble sized explosives, her very own nitro9 (more like nitro-422, she was forever improving it, but nitro9 just had such a nice ring to it.) to compare with whatever she made.

It had been light out when she started, but when it came to explosives time just flew by so quickly. As much as she would've liked to continue -- she'd made it this long without incident, but playing with explosives at night would just be pushing her luck. Ace opted to finish playing with this last one before packing up, and wouldn't it just be her luck that this one would backfire on her. She was chucked back a few feet with the tips of her bangs singed a bit and her left hand a bit burnt, but otherwise unharmed and witness to an interesting display of fire works. The X-27, a touch of astrolite, and some red liquid she didn't recognize didn't just burst into flame -- it rocketed up in to the sky and exploded, sending down a shower of red, gold, and yellow sparks. Very pretty but with the potential to be very harmful if not for the force shield generator on her wrist to keep them from touching her, and with it she was able to bandage up her hand and watched the fireworks safely enough.

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notginger
2008-07-08 01:00 pm UTC (link)

The Doctor gave a dramatic shrug and pulled a face; really, would she expect any less of him? "Can't help myself. It takes a planet kidnapping me to make me stay still for more than a couple of days," he explained, sighing a little at the injustice os it all.

"Yeah, the old girl just won't budge. I thought she might be able to move in-planet, at least. I'd like to see what's out there. It can't be all resort." Really, experience had taught him that taking something at face value was never a smart option, and he wanted to see the real planet.

He nodded eagerly when she mentioned the changing theme. "Yeah, I thought it was about time for a change. A little less minimalist and a little more..." he trailed off, not quite certain how that sentence could finish in a positive light. "I want to say chaotic, but in a way that sounds less messy!" he laughed slightly; really, with the amount of stuff lying around the console room, you'd think he didn't have a tool room. Still, he didn't have time for organising, he just left the ship to her own devices most of the time.

"Oh, I couldn't change your room! You always have a place onboard... I take it you still carry your key, then?" he asked in a teasing sing-song.

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timevigilante
2008-07-08 06:50 pm UTC (link)

"I'm sure you could use the rest." All that running around, she was sure that a little break here would be good for him. That and if any one could get them off this planet it would be the Doctor.

"I can give you a hand with her. A fresh pair of eyes, and a second set of hands -- we'll have her up in no time...And if that doesn't work, we can just take my bike. I've been wondering what's out in that desert too." Ace had been planning on exploring out there. It would be loads easier with the TARDIS, but her motorcycle would do, and she'd survived deserts plenty of times before.

"Course I still have it." The brunette said, showing him the key hanging around her neck. A little piece of home, not that she would ever say so. "Now come sit and talk to me." She instructed, patting the grass beside her. "Tell me 'bout these regenerations. What happened?"

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notginger
2008-07-08 07:29 pm UTC (link)

"Yeah, I suppose so.. but I've nearly been here a week, that's enough rest for anyone!" he insisted, although he was sure there were many people who would disagree.

"Oh, definitely. I think I'm getting much too impatient to actually think logically about it, so your perspective would be useful. Somehow I don't think my hammering the console with a mallet is helping," he laughed softly, but it was clear from his tone that he wasn't joking.

He gave her a slow nod and moved to sit down next to her. If he could just distract her a little longer with the story of the first regeneration that would have to suffice.

"Well, when I had the face that you remember, I stepped out of the TARDIS right into the middle of a gang shooting and ended up in some American hospital getting the bullets removed," he started, rolling his eyes slightly, signifying that he found this an incredibly boring way to die. "It was nasty, they kept trying to knock me out, there was some big commotion when they were convinced my chest x-ray was a hoax with the two hearts. I did keep trying to tell the surgeon that she was going to kill me, but she thought I was just delirious on the anesthetic," he explained with a grin. It hadn't been funny at the time, but the look on the surgeons' faces had been rather priceless.

"I regenerated in one of those morgue refrigerator things. Creepiest place you can possibly wake up, except perhaps a coffin!"

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timevigilante
2008-07-08 09:03 pm UTC (link)

She chuckled slightly, thinking the same. Most would believe a week was hardly much of a vacation, but for him -- both of them really -- it was too long to be just sitting around. Especially when your used to jumping through time, constantly exploring something new.

"I'll come by and give her a look. Still have to fix a few things with my motorcycle, parts got fried from being pulled out of the time vortex." She had always been good with mechanics, and used to toy with the TARDIS when she traveled with the Doctor. It was lucky too, that she was here, as it sounded like he was getting more then a little frustrated with it.

When he explained about the regeneration, Ace looked near horrified. Especially about waking up in the morgue drawer. How he could even think about that and still grin was beyond her. "You know you can check what's outside the door before you go rushing out." Ace rolled her eyes slightly, knowing that he wouldn't. It was half the fun, running headlong into something new. "My poor professor waking up in a morgue drawer." She reached over and let her thumb brush his nose affectionately, mimicking the gesture Seven used to do to her. Kind of upset that her Doctor had died that way, and alone from the sounds of it.

"Please tell me the others were because you did something amazing and heroic? Not accidentally walking into a fight."

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notginger
2008-07-09 05:03 pm UTC (link)

"Good, we can help each other out. I'll probably be able to find you some makeshift spare parts somewhere," he suggested; he seemed to have a ready store of just about every gadget a person could need, even if it sometimes meant holding them together with elastic bands. "I promise not to smash your bike with a mallet," he added as and afterthought.

"I can, but I rarely do. I remember a time when I was really fussy about checking oxygen levels and all that nonsense. Now I just run out and... get shot, apparently!" he grinned, as if it were all a wonderful game. His smile grew even wider and she touched his nose. Of course, every one of his companions was dear to him, but there had always been something special about Ace.

"Aaah, sort of, yeah," he nodded, the grin faltering once again. He did wonder for a second if he could skip to his most recent regeneration and work his way back, but he wasn't sure she'd let him get away with that. "Time War," he said simply, addressing the grass instead of the woman next to him. Of course, there had been many time wars before, so his two words weren't exactly an explanation, but he supposed it was a start.

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timevigilante
2008-07-09 06:04 pm UTC (link)

She chuckled lightly and rolled her eyes. There was no doubt in her mind that they'd be able to fix the motorbike, and no rubber band parts if she had anything to say about it. "You better not." She said. There used to be two motorcycles, but her last one had been destroyed some time ago. Which only made her all the more thankful that the Doctor was here to help her fix it up.

"Better then me, I s'ppose. Least you've a door. I show up, out of the vortex, completely out in the open." Ace shrugged slightly. It had yet to backfire on her, but knock on wood and all that...

She grinned as the small gesture pulled a wider smile, pleased that he remembered, but unfortunately it didn't last. There was that look again, and the only explanation she got was 'Time War.' He had to know she wouldn't accept that. "A mate of mine came back from Arcadia, said there are rumors of your lot getting involved. I was going to go back. The Space Fleet set up a base there. Thought I'd find you." Ace said, hoping to prompt him to explain -- to say whether the rumors were true, or if it was something different.

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notginger
2008-07-09 06:38 pm UTC (link)

He did manage a small chuckle when she mentioned the benefits of having doors. "Yeah, true. Those doors have been very useful at times!" he agreed.

He nodded along solemnly as Ace explained what she had heard of the war. He shook his head, exhaling sharply as she mentioned her thoughts about joining them. "Well, I'm glad you didn't," he said softly, really meaning it.

After what seemed like such a long silence, but in reality was only a few seconds, he somehow managed to force the words out of his mouth. "We lost," he told her, forcing himself to look up again. "Gallifrey, it's... gone. I'm the only one left."

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timevigilante
2008-07-09 07:09 pm UTC (link)

The silence lasted a while longer. She wasn't sure what to say. 'Sorry' seemed to be the most appropriate sentiment, but she would never say something like that. Just thinking that the whole planet was gone, that beautiful planet, his homeland, family and friends -- How could a 'sorry' ever begin to help? Instead she let her hand creep over to grasp his lightly.

"Others might've survived." The brunette said softly, thoughts drifting for a moment to Romana. She'd liked the Lady President, and hated to think she'd never see her again. "You always had hope, Professor." Ace couldn't help the old nickname slipping out. He was different, but he was still the Doctor, and Ace wanted him to know she was there for him.

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notginger
2008-07-09 07:17 pm UTC (link)

He slowly shook his head as she suggested that others might have survived. "No. I watched it burn. I... I made it happen," he told her, that twinge of guilt never really leaving him no matter how many people he told. Of course, he knew that it had been the right option, the only option... but it was quite a burden to carry.

"Plus, I'd know," he told her, tapping the side of his head. It was strange how he'd grown used to the silence he'd thought would haunt him forever.

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timevigilante
2008-07-09 07:45 pm UTC (link)

Ace listened as he admitted to being the cause, no judgment in her gaze. He wouldn't have done it unless there had been no other choice. What bothered her is how he'd given up. "Fine. I'll have hope then. Even you can't know everything." She leaned back and looked up at the sky, the stars here that looked just like the ones at home. Millions of stars in millions of galaxies all through time, and he couldn't find reason to believe that another Time Lord was out there somewhere...

"At least you're not alone." She looked up at him. "You've got Rose -- and you always have me." It wasn't much, but it was all she could offer. Ace would listen, and she could understand better then most.

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notginger
2008-07-12 02:27 pm UTC (link)

His expression softened, the corners of his lips curving back into a smile; her attitude was just the Ace he remembered. Even when everything seemed dark she was trying to convince him of the impossible. As much as the logical part of him wanted to tell her exactly why that wasn't possible, he just couldn't do it. "Thanks. Maybe one day you'll be gloating about that," he smiled.

"Yeah, I know. She's been good for me, you know? Oh, that was the third regeneration..." he suddenly remembered why they'd been on the topic in the first place. He turned to lean on his elbow facing her, as if telling her a very odd bedtime story. "Apparently even destroying a planet and committing genocide doesn't get rid of Daleks! Year 200,000... I was transmatted to this gamestation orbiting Earth, and it somehow turned into another Dalek invasion!" he explained, rolling his eyes.

"There were so many of them, and after a while it seemed like the only option was to blow up the gamestation." He seemed to be developing a habit of blowing things up to get rid of the Daleks. "I made the TARDIS take Rose home, but she wasn't having any of it. Took a bloody tow truck and ripped the console open, absorbed the heart of the TARDIS, it brought her back and she... used it to split them all into atoms, basically! I regenerated because I absorbed it myself taking it out of her again," he explained. No matter how many times he told the story it never lost it's wow factor.

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timevigilante
2008-07-12 10:46 pm UTC (link)

She looked back at him when he turned on his side to continue telling her about his regenerations, scowling at talk of Daleks returning. "The damn things are like cockroaches!" Ace grumbled. It was infuriating; they'd destroy thousands, and more would simply rise to take their place. Hunks of metal with the disgusting looking creatures inside. She might've even had some sympathy if the Daleks had been capable of something more then killing, but they were made to have no other purpose.

"You were going to blow up Daleks and didn't call me. You know, I'm really not feelin' the love anymore." Ace teased as she considered what he'd said Rose had done. It was impressive, she had to admit. She hadn't expected Rose to be anything more then a pretty new companion when they'd met. "I underestimated her, I guess. If she keeps you safe, she's good in my book -- maybe I'll leave you two a bit of my new nitro9 for next time you get in trouble though." She remembered when the Professor didn't like her using explosives so much, but it seemed since regenerating that had changed.

The brunette grinned and reached down to the small pouches on her belt, retrieving two small marble looking things. Ace loved to show them off, but getting to show the Doctor...She supposed some part of her still wanted him to be proud of her like when she had been younger. "Look, half the size and four times the power. The light blue one will explode when you throw it, and the white one is activated by water or saliva. It'll go off about 30 seconds after you take it out of the water or your mouth, but if you accidentally swallow one they dissolve and at worse you get a bit of heartburn. They're great if your captured." Ace explained, knowing the later from experience.

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notginger
2008-07-22 08:33 am UTC (link)

"Oh, she definitely takes good care of me," he agreed, nodding enthusiastically. "Saved my life the day I met her!" he told her, frowning a little as he realised his mistake. "No, the day after, but the day I met her I blew up her workplace, so I'll excuse the delay!" he admitted, his frown quickly changing back to his smile.

"More blowing up, I know. You must have rubbed off on me more than I realised," he teased. "Anyway, you should know, I only take the best. She's no exception," he said definitely. His interest peaked as she took out her new and improved version of her nitro9. He nodded with interest; he was impressed, and it certainly showed in his eager eyes and beaming smile. "Well, I do still say that you don't solve a problem by blowing it up, but I've certainly come across a few exceptions to the rule lately," he explained, "Daleks are a definite exception, so I might just take you up on that. Very clever, Ace. very clever indeed!"

[I'm so sorry, I completely forget it was my turn. Waa.]

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timevigilante
2008-07-23 09:44 pm UTC (link)

"Good to hear. Though it would be nice if you could manage not to nearly get yourself killed every time you're left alone." She rolled her eyes, but knew better then to expect any different from him. Ace still worried though. It seemed he was going through his regenerations rather quickly lately, though it was hard to tell with him exactly how long there had been in between, but still.

"I'll definitely leave you some. A gift to pass on to those metal toe-rags next time they show up." She grinned, pocketing the nitro again, before looking back up at him.

She lifted a hand to touch his cheek, gently moving his head from side to side. "Still strange. This young face and big hair. You must be nearly a thousand years old now, yeah?" She was still getting used to it, but certain things he did, and when he looked proud of her she could see her old professor in that young face. "Haven't been Merlin yet, have you? I want to see that one." There was no telling if the Doctor would actually be Merlin, it was some naff old witch and some knights that had said so, but that wasn't saying it wasn't possible.

[ no worries. ^-^ ]

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notginger
2008-07-25 07:03 pm UTC (link)

"Oh, where's the fun in it if you're not living on the edge?" he asked, a cheshire grin plastered onto his face. "I promise, when I'm on my last body, I'll try my best to make it last. Mind you... I quite like this one, so maybe I'll try a tiny bit harder," he suggested, holding his thumb and forefinger barely a centimetre apart to show her just how tiny. "Mind you, already lost a hand barely 24-hours into this regeneration, so I'd say the being careful didn't get off to a good start!" he giggled.

"Lovely, I'm sure they'll be thrilled, I'll make sure to mention your name when I present the gift," he nodded, certainly a lot chirpier than he had been a few minutes previous.

"Yeah, getting on a bit," he admitted; he had definitely lost count along the way somewhere, but he wasn't about to admit that. Really, he ought to know his own age, but he didn't exactly lead a linear life. He snorted with laughter as she mentioned Merlin. "Oh, no! You're getting front row seats to that one, and you know it!" he exclaimed, through fits of laughter.

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