[Milliways] OOM: Flat 007

[his_sarah_jane]

Sarah Jane has never claimed to be the world's best cook. But she has always enjoyed it, ever since she was old enough to help her aunt out in the kitchen. Cooking had been a bonding experience for Sarah back then - a chance for her and her aunt to talk after long days at school and work - and even now, it makes her smile as she remembers those days.

It doesn't matter at all to her that her favourite jumper here (a fuzzy blue thing that keeps her quite warm) is now covered with bits of flour and eggs. Or that her hair is now streaked along the edges with butter. What matters is this: breakfast is now almost done (and smells rather good, if you ask her) and the Doctor will be here soon.

The table is set for two (she doesn't quite want to bother with waking James or Vesper this early) with a bowl of fruit in the center. The pot of tea boils on the stove, and a pitcher of mango juice (much better than orange) sits near the fruit bowl. There's fried bread out on the table, near a small container of butter, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, eggs (sunny side up), bacon, baked beans, and chips. Quite possibly enough food to feed an army, but Sarah doesn't care.

She grabs a plate for the sausages that are almost finished frying, enjoying all the aromas in the air. Now, all that she really needs is for her guest to show up.

Comments

[just_the_doctor]

The Doctor yelps at the kick, jerking his leg back. Unfortunately, this has the effect of banging his knee into the table and knocking over his tea -- his still quite hot tea -- which is heading rather in James' direction.

"Well, you certainly kick like a warrior!"

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

James is good at avoiding objects in motion if they come at him from a distance; avoiding hot liquid at a short distance, not so much. That still quite hot tea lands on James' leg. He takes in a sharp breath as the pain hits him and immediately reaches for a napkin.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you deserved it!" Sarah retorts, trying very hard to keep a serious expression on her face and not laugh at the two men. "Feminist warrior, my foot!"

[just_the_doctor]

The Doctor can't keep the smirk off his face.

"Yes, ma'am. Whatever you say, ma'am. Just please don't hurt me again."

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

Right. So. James has been burned. It kinda hurts. He's made visible attempts to relieve the pain by getting as much of the hot liquid off of him as possible, and yet these two are still in their happy, fluffy love zone. James isn't jealous, but he does have the feeling that he doesn't exist in the happy, fluffy love zone, and if he does he's not unlike a ghost. How, then, does this ghost excuse himself from the table without seeming rude? James considers his words carefully as he finishes wiping off the tea.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

"You're absolutely, positively horrible," Sarah Jane retorted, eyes narrowing at the smirk on his face.

Oh, how she would love nothing more than to wipe that smirk off his face. "I could do so much more than kick you under the table, you know!"



She really will notice James, really! As soon as that smirk goes away.

[just_the_doctor]

"Burn me with coffee, for instance?" he says pleasantly. "Like our friend James? Oh, be a dear, Sarah Jane and get the poor man some ice or something."

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

Attention! James is almost surprised by it. "Don't worry, Sarah," he says as he pushes his chair back, rising to his feet. "I can get it myself."

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

Sarah glares at the Doctor for telling her what to do (oh, like he can't go and get ice either!) but gets up from her seat anyway.

"You should sit," she says to James, pointing a finger at him. "I'll get the ice."

She doesn't bother waiting for an answer and walks to the refrigerator, grabbing a towel off the counter along the way. Sarah opens the freezer door and quickly grabs a handful of ice to put on the towel. A few more seconds later she's back with a neatly wrapped bundle that she hands to James.

[just_the_doctor]

He looks a little sheepish after giving the command. Sometimes when he's around her, he forgets he's not in a position to do that anymore.

"Sorry about that," he says to James. "She's got quite a kick on her."

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

"I noticed," he says dryly, taking his seat again.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

"Sorry," Sarah Jane mutters, looking a little sheepish herself. "But you deserved it, Doctor."

There's a look in James' direction and she shrugs. "Maybe not you."

[just_the_doctor]

"We'll revisit that in a few years, shall we?" he says cryptically.

Then, the Doctor pats his mouth with his napkin and stands up.

"This really was quite lovely, Sarah Jane. And very nice to meet you as well, James. The food was excellent and the company moreso. I think I'm going to limp back to my TARDIS now, though. I've taken up enough of your morning."

[callitavesper.livejournal.com]

James glances quickly at Sarah, then to the Doctor, extending his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, sir," he replies. "Hopefully we'll be able to talk more in the future."

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," Sarah Jane says, quickly getting up from the table shortly after the Doctor does. She beams proudly at the compliment and then nods towards away from the table. "Let me show you out. Please?"

[just_the_doctor]

The Doctor shakes James' hand and smiles. "Or in the past. Never can tell with me."

That done, he turns to his hostess. "Lead on, Miss Smith."

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

She chuckles, walking over to the Doctor and linking her arm in his.

"Thank you for coming," she says as they walk towards the door. "I know it's not the sort of thing you normally do, but it meant a lot to me."

[just_the_doctor]

"That's why I came," he says honestly.

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

Sarah nods and stops in front of the door. She lets go of his arm and stands there for a moment before impulsively placing a kiss on the Doctor's cheek. She lingers there for a moment, resting her forehead against the side of his face.

It still smells like him, even if he looks different.

[just_the_doctor]

He's taken aback by the kiss and smiles awkwardly. Fortunately, her head is turned so she's not likely to notice. Instead, the Doctor slips an arm around her shoulder and pats her on the back.

"Take care. I'll see you soon."

[his-sarah-jane.livejournal.com]

She suddenly feels a little foolish for kissing him. She doesn't understand it -- she's kissed John and James on the cheek plenty of times before!

So Sarah Jane does the only thing she can do: takes a deep breath and pushes all these thoughts aside to smile at him as if she never did anything.

"You better. And take care yourself, will you, Doctor?"

[just_the_doctor]

"Always do," he replies, that winning grin firmly back in place. That grin that says 'of course I'm going to get myself into trouble again, but it won't be anything I can't handle'.

Finally, reluctantly, he backs out the door and starts off down the hallway. As usual, he doesn't say 'goodbye'.