[Milliways] OOM: James' Flat, London, 2006

[his_sarah_jane]

After their discussion days ago regarding moving the wedding up to ...well, to sometime relatively soon, Sarah Jane had promised to start looking in to details (as long as he would do the same, of course). But that had been days ago, and since then Sarah Jane had no more opened the wedding magazine she had brought than even began looking at the calender for a date.

Instead, she busies herself today with working on an article for a small London newspaper. The magazine sits somewhere on the table, buried under notes and photographs and books. It rests there, almost forgotten, as she works and wonders.

How long has it been since her last trip with the Doctor? Sarah thumps her pencil against the table, and when she reaches for the calender, it's not to look for a wedding date at all.

Comments

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

"Darling, you can keep the ring. Even if we do wind up--well, it's yours. I bought it for you. As for the dates--it really depends on whether I'm in town, doesn't it?" He winks.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

"And the engagement?" The eyebrow goes back up.

"Although before you answer that, I would like to point out that I did say every week or so, thanks all the same. It would also depend if I'm around, you see."

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

"The engagement..I suppose we'd have to play that by ear, wouldn't we?"

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

She nods, frowning slightly. "What about for now? Despite living apart... do you still want me as a fiancee?"

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

James glances at the floor, looking vaguely uncomfortable. "I think it's best that we call off the engagement for now."

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

Tears fill Sarah's eyes at the words. Her second engagement and still, again, she couldn't seem to get past anything remotely resembling wedding plans.

It stung. But not as much as her fear in losing James.

Quietly, "And the relationship?"

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

He lifts a hand to her cheek. "The relationship isn't over. I still want to be with you, Sarah, but not like this. Not when we're both unhappy. We need to be absolutely certain that we can handle marriage before we agree to it."

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

She closed her eyes to lean her cheek further into his hand. It always feels so...right to be touched by him. Right now, she needs to savour that.

"Then dates." Sarah opens her eyes to look at him, placing her hand on top of his. "Once a week, permitting we're both around to meet. We can't avoid each other to make this work, just like we can't smother each other either.

"And I'd like so very much to make this work."

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

He nods, grinning at her softly. "I can agree to that arrangement."

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

"Good," she murmurs, lifting her head up kiss his lips gently. "I do love you, James. So very much."

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

"I love you, too, Sarah. We'll make this work."

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

"There really is only one way to find out, isn't there?"

Sarah sighs, squeezing his hand as she leans back in the sofa. This is better than the alternative. She still has her independence and she still has him.

"I suppose I have some packing to get to then."

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

James doesn't say anything. He leans back on the sofa with her, leaning closer to her than he was before.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

Sarah smiles up at him, leaning closer as well. "Would you like to help?"

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

He smirks. "I thought you feminists want to do everything by yourself."

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

"Arse!" Sarah hits his arm as she smiles brightly. "You're completely twisting my words with that statement. We draw a line. That's all."

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

"Ah, Right. Thank you for that enlightening lesson in feminism."

And before she has a chance to say anything, he kisses her.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

"C-mmph!" is the retort, swallowed up by the kiss.

Still, there are worse ways to be silenced and Sarah fully intends to enjoy this one. Her eyes close as she tangles her hand in his hair.

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

Definitely worse. And there are worse ways to kick somebody out of the house, too. But the way things are going, they probably won't start packing any time soon.