Who: Ross and Joey Where: The Valiant When: Sometime after Lacey and Ianto are brought on board What: Chance First Meetings Status: Complete
Joey slowly wandered around the Valiant, mostly bored and partly trying to find a place to smoke and think, when he found a room with bits and parts of different machines. The Mechanist smiled, eyes lighting up, and slipped into the room. He gently ran his hand over some the parts and started going through them, arranging the room as it were.
Ross was making his rounds, hoping that today was not a day the Master was on a warpath. Ross had learned early from other's mistakes that it was best to keep your head down and do the best job you could just to avoid being killed. He glanced in one of the rooms, about to leave when he glanced in again. The Master's nephew was in there. He stepped into the doorway, clearing his throat. "I'm sorry sir, but you're not supposed to be in here."
"I'm sure my Uncle won't mind. I can break down and fix just about anything...except a toaster for some reason." Joey murmured, checking something over with a frown.
"A toaster?" Ross asked with a confused look. "I'm sorry but..." he paused looking at Joey's expression change. "Is something wrong, sir?"
"Yeah a toaster." The man looked up. "Only thing wrong with this is a few wires...why hasn't it been fixed? It's a simple enough job."
Ross moved into the room next to the man, looking at the instrument he was looking at. "I don't know. Most of this is out of my league. Probably not necessary." He gave a little shrug. He didn't question what was and wasn't. Questions were a good way to get killed.
Joey looked over to him. "What's your name?"
"Jenkins, sir. Ross Jenkins." He answered. All the men had been given strict orders to treat the Master's nephew, the boy's mother, and the two children with them with respect and deference.
"Ross...Nice name." Joey smiled. "Do you know if anyone up here can do professional tattoos?"
He thought for a moment. "It's possible. I overheard two of the other men talking about the other day actually. I didn't catch the name they gave. Is there a reason, Sir?"
"I need to get mine redone. Tattoos don't regenerate with you."
"I see. Well, if you have a design in mind, maybe you could draw it up, and I'll show it to the guy who can do it. I'm not sure of his skill, though." He gave a little shrug. There wasn't much he could do either way.
Joseph rubbed his neck. "Yeah I can do that." He blew a strand of long hair out of his face. "You have a lighter?"
Ross nodded, pulling out a lighter. He didn't smoke, but a lot of the guys did, and oftentimes having one was advantageous. He handed it to the Time Lord.
Joey took it with a warm, thankful smile. "Never use to smoke till now. Odd right?" Joey lit the cigarette and handed the lighter back. "Thanks."
"I wouldn't know, sir, but I suppose. Stress of the regeneration perhaps?" He nodded about the thanks, sticking the lighter back into his pocket.
"Maybe. Only the second time I've done it...bad conditions too. Don't call me sir by the way. Joey or if you must use a title Mechanist."
Ross nodded. "Sorry, Sir...I mean, Mechanist. And I really wouldn't know about regenerations. I'm fairly new to UNIT. Only stories I've heard, really."
Joey smiled. He rather liked the man. He seemed to have a good heart and a good head on his shoulders. "What's your rank?"
"Private," he said, nearly adding Sir again, but holding back. "Joined UNIT two months ago."
"Wow you really are fresh blood." Joey frowned, his striking blue eyes holding worry.
"You're not the first to say that." Ross had heard it all, green, wet behind the ears, too young, but here he was, on the Valiant. He'd fought hard to make it this far this fast. He stood taller. "I wouldn't worry about me, Sir," he said, letting it slip out again, "I know how to take care of myself."
"I'm sure you do." Joey sighed. "Sometimes the younger are better for the position then the older. Anyways. You've got a good head on your shoulders. I can see that.... and don't call me sir."
Ross gave him a smirk. "Habits are hard to kill."
"Don't I know it." Joey smirked back.
Ross looked at the watch. "I need to get back to my rounds, then relieve the watch. I'm off duty at twenty hundred, if you want to bring me the design for the Tattoo."
"Uh. Could you meet me at my quarters?"
"I can do that." He nodded. He knew where all the Master's family were staying, as he often had to check the rooms. He wasn't sure what he was checking them for, but he did have a feeling the Master didn't trust them either.
"Thanks." Joey smiled. "See you then." He put his cigarette out and ambled out of the room, singing under his breath.