his_sarah_jane | [Mixed Muses] A Meeting with Simon Skinner

Thinking he would start anew in death was much easier than doing it. He had been serious when he thought he would do it. He even made a few steps towards accomplishing this. He went no further than a walk outside; something held him back. He first thought it was fear. He disregarded it: he was already dead. How could the mountain or the lake harm him? Something else set in: a strong, unbeatable apathy. He walked back into the bar, excusing himself with tiredness. He didn't grow more bold around people. In fact, they only made him feel intimidated. So he said he'd try something tomorrow and spend the rest of the day with tea and a good book he couldn't focus on.

The next day found him waking late and not rising from bed at all. He was happy the bar provided him with a television set--instant entertainment with no attention span requirements. He swore he wouldn't spend the next day like that. He didn't fall asleep until late; didn't wake up until the following afternoon. He went back downstairs and was bombarded with the usual suspects of people acting as his concerned benefactors. He wanted to slip away from them so badly. He appreciated their concern, but he didn't deserve it. Plus, quite a few of his new benefactors hated him when he was alive. He couldn't stand to be around such people.

Eventually, he resigned himself to staying in the bar. None of his benefactors actually could leave the bar. They were just as dead as he was. He kind of liked keeping it simple, staying in the bar with tea and slowly progressing through a book. He didn't think he was ready to conquer the world just yet. He wanted to rest, to slowly get over what happened. Amazing how a one night stand could make you look at the one thing you refused to look at. Which was why he kept searching for Sarah Jane in the bar.

He's pleasantly surprised to see her on the day she actually shows up.

So now Sarah Jane has a Simon inna blanket with tea at her booth.

"Hello!"

:D?

Sarah Jane smiles widely when Simon joins her. To be honest, she hadn't expected to see him at all. Even if he is confined here in death, it's a big enough bar that you can easily miss individuals.

She's happy that this is not the case this time. One night stand or not, murderer or not, Simon had intrigued her. He had desired her, and that was more than Sarah Jane had had in a long time.

"Happy Christmas," she responds, sliding the wrapped gift box across the booth table. "It's not much, but I found it while I was shopping for Luke and his friends. I thought it could help to keep you occupied."

Inside is a black Moleskin notebook and a nice pen. Waterstone's is, of course, good for more than just novels and other assorted books.

"You bought me a present?" he says, reaching for the package, holding it in his hand like a foreign object.

Sarah Jane shrugs, glancing down at the table. This is ridiculous. She's a grown woman. She shouldn't feel this awkward about giving a man (even if he is more or less a stranger), a gift. Yet, she does. Is this even the proper protocol to a one-night fling?

"I hope you don't mind."

"I don't. It's...rather unexpected." He begins to tear away the wrapping, remembering bittersweetly when he did this with relish as a child.

"I was shopping in Waterstone's for a book for Maria. I saw this and thought it could help to keep you occupied," she explains as she watches him open the gift. "I know it's not something everyone enjoys, but I thought I would give it a chance at any rate."

He finally has all the wrapping off the box, which he opens. Inside is...well.

"It's lovely," he replies, smiling broadly. "I'm afraid I'm not much of a writer, though."

"I was hoping it might inspire you to do something each day that's worthy to remember."

Sarah Jane smiles in return, although she does look rather embarrassed by this whole thing.

"My aunt gave me my first journal shortly after my parents' deaths. I couldn't really write well at the time, but it did help to keep me distracted."

Worthy to remember. Simon's smile turns just a bit false, just a bit tight. Hard to find the point of remembering when you're on your way to eternity. "Oh. I could use a distraction." He looks up from the book to her, his smile becoming less false--but more polite than genuine.

She had mucked up the gift, hadn't she? Sarah Jane's smile faltered when she noticed how his had turned polite. Apparently she still had a lot to learn about these sorts of interactions.

"Well, writing does tend to make for a rather brilliant one in my opinion," she finally answers. "I hope you find something to fill it with."

A sigh. He places the book back on the table. Might as well be honest: "I really do appreciate the gift. It's more than I could've expected, but I..." He laughs. "I'm being ridiculous, is what."

She raises her eyebrows. "Ridiculous?"

"I'm not the only one who can't bring his memories with him after he's passed on."

"But you're the one I care about," Sarah responds.

And then realises what she says, turning painfully red. Absolutely the wrong thing to say, she's certain. After all, they've only ever spent a night and day together.

She stands, wanting to get away. "Maybe I ought to go back and check on Luke."

She turns red, he turns white. She stands, he sits, slowly, staring blankly at nothing in particular.

"Oh."

Sarah Jane can't help it. "Oh?"

"Yes." Still looking at nothing. "Oh."

"Oh," she chimes in, glancing downward herself.

But Sarah Jane still doesn't make any attempt to move.

He picks up the journal. "I'm not used to anyone caring about me these days."

"It really isn't that hard to do."

He has his protests, of course, but he won't air them. He sighs instead, his fingers running over the journal cover. "Thank you."

Sarah Jane nods. "Anyway, I do hope you find some use out of it."

That sounds like a goodbye. He looks up sharply.

"You're not going anywhere, are you?"

Sarah doesn't know. She's used to taking demand. This situation has left her utterly lost and confused.

"Do you want company?"

"I wouldn't mind--I mean, yes."

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