[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

[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'.