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kalleah ([personal profile] kalleah) wrote2007-03-29 04:05 pm
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Voyages of Discovery (Chapter Six)

I promised an update today, and with the response to chapter five, I think I'd quite possibly be strung up by my toes if I missed my self-imposed deadline. 

So, without further ado, let's see what the Doctor and Jacob are up to.

Previous Chapters

"When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong."
Arthur C. Clarke


Two men sat on opposite sides of a round, oddly delicate stone table. Four low, eroded brick walls formed an informal room around them. Below and beyond, a lazy river snaked in a sea of yellow-green marsh grass. Four slight, graceful trees shook dark, waxy leaves in the breeze, dwarfed by the extending, dancing arms of ancient live oaks.

One of the men, bald and aged, with a snowy beard around his face, no mustache, and countless wrinkles tracing over his weathered face, chewed thoughtfully on his pipe and contemplated the board between them. He regarded his opponent. The other man appeared much younger, slightly built, with a mess of brown hair and brown eyes. His full attention was focused on a book he held open at arm's length, reading intently through dark rimmed glasses. After some long moments, the old man picked up a piece and moved it.

His companion flicked a quick glance at the board, adjusted his glasses on his nose, and made a quick series of five moves, retrieving several of his opponent's pieces and adding them to a growing stack on the side of the board. "King me," he said, and returned his attention to his book.

"Doctor," said Jacob in exasperation, "you can't keep doing that."

The Doctor looked up and gave his friend a puzzled look, then smiled and set his book down. "I'm only looking ahead three moves," he said amiably. "That gives you the advantage."

Jacob chewed his pipe again, full of unlit Refallan tobacco, a guilty pleasure and a gift from his friend, and shook his head. "How many possible outcomes to the game we're playing?"

"Right now? Six hundred and eighty. Six hundred and eighty-one if you count your getting annoyed and refusing to finish the game. Which I do."

"Wrong," said Jacob. "There is only one. You're going to win, again."

The Doctor looked hurt. "You get angry when I let you win, and angry when I don't. What do you want me to do?"

"Not be so good at draughts," said Jacob. "I suppose it's my own fault, playing with a man who can travel in time and see around corners. Perhaps we should play a game of pure chance? No, that wouldn't be any better, I suppose." He placed a piece atop the one that the Doctor had just moved. "I concede."

"That's the one," said the Doctor with a grin. "All right, then, what do you want to do now?"

"I'm going to go do what I ought to have been doing all along," said Jacob, standing and putting a hand in the middle of his back. "I am going to return to the camellias, who need my attention, and let you sink your nose into that book for a while longer. I suppose there's no chance you'll join me for prayers at None?"

It was a long argument, and both men were too entrenched in their positions and their regard for one another to budge or to take any offense. "I'll wait here," said the Doctor evenly. Jacob muttered something under his breath, collected his tools, and set off to tend his beloved garden.

--

Later that afternoon, Jacob was kneeling, removing some weeds from the base of one of the larger camellias when he heard the Doctor draw in a sharp breath behind him. "What is it?" he asked.

"Something odd," said the Doctor. "I can see timelines, patterns, and it's all muddled here, starting just when you picked that last weed." He wandered over, squatted, and plucked the plant in question from Jacob's growing pile. He put his glasses on and studied it intently.

Jacob looked up, puzzled. The garden was bathed in late afternoon sunlight, and carried its usual air of meditative peace. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, yet clearly the Doctor’s senses had picked up something lurking beyond the border of visible reality. His body was tense, like that of a wild animal sensing the approaching hooves of a predator as vibrations through the soil.

"What is it?" asked Jacob again, looking at the unremarkable bits of leaf and stem.

"I have no idea," said the Doctor. "It's not the plant. Thought it was. It happened just -- then." He replaced the bit of plant material into the refuse pile and stood, scanning the woods around them for an answer. "Something's coming," he said, in a low, ominous tone.

Jacob raised an eyebrow in disbelief. He had been long decades at this monastery, and the only remarkable thing that had come in that time, and frankly before that, was the Doctor himself.

Suddenly, the Doctor flinched as if he had been struck, hard, in the belly. Jacob stood as quickly as his aged knees would allow and came to his friend's side. The Doctor was half bent over, mouth open, staring at a point just past them, toward the stone table. Jacob's gaze followed and the smile of sudden, joyous recognition that blossomed on his face was as beautiful and serene as the dawn of time.

"You aren't real," rasped the Doctor, unsteadily rising to his full height, challenging the figure that stood in the forest.

The figure walked toward them, crossing the space between them with steps as unsteady as the Doctor's. At first, she seemed confused, or at least surprised to be here. Then she saw the Doctor, and an expression of relief and joy transformed her features.

"Doctor," Rose said, and the word left her mouth and caressed his face tenderly. He did not respond, simply stood, unmoving, straight as an arrow, head tilted back and away from her. She extended a hand in his direction.

He did not take the hand. "You're not real, whatever you are," he said in a loud, challenging voice. "I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you don't know -- how cruel this is. Get out of here."

Rose watched him with some confusion and let the hand drop. She looked questioningly at Jacob, who shrugged and gave her a winning smile. She came to Jacob, kissed him full on the lips, smiling at his startled expression, and hugged him tightly. "Oh Jacob, the best of friends." At last, she released him and stepped across to the Doctor, who watched her as warily as ever he had watched a Slitheen or a werewolf.

"I'm real," she said, "or at least I think I am."

He shook his head. "You're not. It's impossible," he said, flatly.

"I'm not impossible," she cried, and rushed forward, grabbing his arm and pinching him viciously.

He winced and pulled away. "Ow! That hurt. What the hell was that for?"

Her eyes blazed at him. "Don't tell me I'm not real again, you stupid, stupid git!" She flew at him again and wrapped her arms around him, crushing herself as close to him as she could manage. One foot came up off the ground and she half-mimed climbing upward, in her effort to be closer to him.

The Doctor's stunned face moved around, first to Jacob, still smiling to end the world, and then to the woman clasped to him. He inhaled, delicately, and found the familiar tendrils of her scent there. Impossible, his mind said. Rose, it's Rose, shouted his body and his hearts.

"It's really you," he said in wonder, letting his arms come up and around her. He blinked rapidly and shook his head back and forth. "How is it you, Rose?" She buried her face in his shoulder and then he realized she was crying. "Oh no, no, don't," he said, nudging her face upward and looking down at her with wonder. "This is supposed to be good, isn't it?" She nodded, still crying. He tried to summon a laugh. "I feel a little wrung out myself?" He ended the statement with a question mark and looked at her, his eyes flicking from her right eye to her left eye to nose to cheeks to ears to hair, and then his hearts leaped and he shouted out, pulling her up into the air and whirling her around in a circle, whooping like a madman.

Jacob, forgotten but still beaming, gathered his tools and retreated along the path to the main buildings, leaving the camellia tending for another day and the reunited couple to some privacy. He wiped a tear from his own eye and nodded his bald head in satisfaction, his white beard waving in the breeze.

[identity profile] squeeepatrol.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Right. Yesterday was evil. Tonight was uber evilness from evilville. That's just not fair. I mean it's lovely, beautiful, exciting, and of course squeefull.. and OMG he's about to cry, but to leave it there? Flippin eck!

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Come On! I don't get any points for the reunion? After all the abuse last night? :)

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[identity profile] spastasmagoria.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:32 pm (UTC)(link)
HORRAY for happiness and joy.


...


something really bad is about to happen, isn't it?

[identity profile] seizard.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
My thoughts exactly.

[identity profile] misssara11.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I just know you're going to pull the rug out from under us (don't tell me, either way) but for now I'm all smiley and weepy. I have to go get ready for work now. Thanks for that!

(Also, squees with you over your good news!)

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Have a fantastic day at work ... more tomorrow. ;)

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[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Glad it worked for you. The Doctor and Jacob playing checkers is one of my favorite moments of both of these stories.
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[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Yay for Jacob, indeed.
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[identity profile] karuri.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:51 pm (UTC)(link)
1. oh thank you that was gorgeous. 2. you're gunna be evil again soon, arent you?LOL

much love for Jacob!

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
1. You're muchly welcome.
2. As I said to [livejournal.com profile] spastasmagoria above: Pessimist.

[identity profile] measi.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah... see... you posted before I could get home to have my cuppa. So I got to enjoy this at the end of the day at work.

Nice way to end the day. (and hee! Jacob got a kiss too... and quite right, too.)

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
That may be the only monk kissing in this story. Beyond that, I'll leave it wide open.

[identity profile] ivydoor.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
YAY!!! Lovelovelove this chapter!

Oh and you've inspired another piece of madness. Check your mail.

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 09:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Holy Crap, this is funny. You're brilliant.

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[identity profile] kb91.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
OK, that was far too easy, LOL. I don't trust you as far as I can throw you. *bg*

Loved the checkers game. I could see the whole thing in my mind, and literally LOL'ed when the Doctor just glanced and made his moves, then returned to his book. So funny.

Jacob seems remarkably unsurprised by Rose's appearance ... me thinks something is afoot!
platypus: (Default)

[personal profile] platypus 2007-03-29 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Can anything really phase Jacob? It doesn't seem likely.

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[identity profile] dark-aegis.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
*looks at chapter and blinks* No. Nuh-uh. Can't be that easy. Just instant transdimensional transport? No way. (Though you could always say that fate's handing the poor Doctor a present and saying 'here, thanks for everything' but somehow I doubt it) Maybe I'm just being pessimistic...but...

I still love it *g* The game, and the Doctor "cheating", was brilliant. Jacob is as wonderful as always and...and...

Is it tomorrow yet? :)

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-31 12:15 am (UTC)(link)
Yes. It is now tomorrow. Or rather, I'm just looking at this and just posted chapter seven.

Is it really cheating if you're just really good at planning out moves?

[identity profile] dettiot.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
The Doctor looked up and gave his friend a puzzled look, then smiled and set his book down. "I'm only looking ahead three moves," he said amiably. "That gives you the advantage."

Man, the Doctor must suck to play any board games with. This whole scene gave me a huge chuckle. :-)

Loved loved loved seeing what Rose's decision was, and I can't wait for the next part!

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
I adore the checkers scene -- and yes, he would absolutely be terrible to play board games with. I get the feeling that Jacob, who is an admirable sort all around, would not be a good loser either. ;)

[identity profile] leighleighla.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. I love this story. I'm gettin' all teary-eyed. Which isn't a good thing since I'm at work. *sniffle* So HAPPY!

Suqee.

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
No crying at work!

[identity profile] bluevolvic.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
awwwww ^_^ , i'm hoping the happiness lasts at least another chapter.loved the Chess game scene , can't wait to read more

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
More tomorrow. Yay.

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[identity profile] wendymr.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm with [livejournal.com profile] kb91 - this is way too easy. I'm smelling fish from way off here ;) And anyway, she's not going to want to leave Jackie behind, and the Doctor's going to want to know how it happened and what damage is being done to both universes... I just know you're going to slap us with a massive great fall, either next chapter or the one after.

...nope, we don't trust you at all, really, do we? ;)

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
Have I really done anything to make you all so suspicious of me? Lord. ;)

[identity profile] janetmaca.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
hehe, no wonder you're feeling mischievous, leaving us with a need for more. So good. I'm not even sure if I've commented on any of your other work, but I love it.

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
I am bursting with energy. Heh.

[identity profile] amtrak12.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
*string of incoherent sounds* Wha...

*pauses and tries to wrap mind around what just happened*

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wasn't expecting that yet. Don't know why, cause I should have been after the cliffhanger yesterday. But then your description for this chapter made me think you were going to be incredibly evil and backtrack and show the Doctor and Jacob for a little while (like a couple chapters) and then show what Rose decided to do. So yeah, I was surprised. I shouldn't have been, but I was. It was in a good way though! I'm actually grateful for the short chapter. I'm going to need this next day to get used to this new development and finish freaking out and squeeing so I can actually pay attention to what's coming next.

[identity profile] amtrak12.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 11:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, and I was too in shock earlier to remember to write this, but:

*hugs* iloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyou!!!!!!!!! My mind has already switched series 3 and this fic in regards to what is canon and what is fanfic. :)

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[identity profile] auntiesuze.livejournal.com 2007-03-29 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, this is sweet! But, like most everybody, I don't trust it. Things *never* come that easily (or without explanation). But I trust wherever you're going with it! :D

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
I don't trust it. Things *never* come that easily (or without explanation).

And that, in a nutshell, sums up the Doctor's reaction in this very chapter.
nostariel: Name tag reading "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." (hello inigo montoya)

[personal profile] nostariel 2007-03-29 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
*SQUEEEE!* Reunions and checkers and Jacob FTW!
I'm going to assume this is real, because I'd like to think Rose couldn't just look at a Gigantic Interdimensional Anomaly and not investigate it. Even leaving aside my inherent shippyness, there is apparently a HOLE IN THE FRAKKING UNIVERSE outside her Mum's hospital. This strikes me as slightly more important (not to mention dangerous) than holding her Mum's hand in the delivery room. But that's just me.

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
That is the most awesome of awesome icons I have ever, ever seen. Dear God. I just laughed for a solid 45 seconds. Bless you for sharing. Not only a random reference to The Princess Bride which I love, but a hysterically funny visual anyway. Lovelovelovelove.

there is apparently a HOLE IN THE FRAKKING UNIVERSE outside her Mum's hospital

We don't know what the doorway was, actually.

[identity profile] blaidd-wolf.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 12:05 am (UTC)(link)
OMG. omgomgomg. SQUEE.
I agree with [livejournal.com profile] spastasmagoria, though. Somehting not-good is about to happen, probably. ;P

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
As I said ... pessimists, all of you.

[identity profile] karenor.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
"You're not real, whatever you are," he said in a loud, challenging voice. "I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you don't know -- how cruel this is. Get out of here."

oh, this just broke my heart. but a perfectly reasonable reaction. and i loved Rose's response to his doubt.

tho yeah, i'm a wee skeptical of the easy fix. you have previously built so slowly, after all. what are you up to?

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-31 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
Most of you have had exactly the same reaction as the Doctor did, which is very amusing to me, actually. What am I up to? Why do you assume I am up to anything?

[identity profile] jo-mako.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
aww! *is grinning like an idiot*
ext_23543: (Default)

[identity profile] starlightmoonla.livejournal.com 2007-03-30 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
Ok as much as I want to stay in the moment and be all happy over the fact that the Doctor and Rose have reunited, there's still a part of me that is trying NOT be so happy. As spastasmagoria, and others, have suggested something bad may very well happen. Yes, we may be pessimistic but we can't help it.

Ok I'm going to enjoy this happy reunion as much as possible. It truly was wonderful, the Rose/Doctor/Jacob interaction was sweet. I especially enjoyed the chess game between the Doctor and Jacob.

Thanks for reuniting them I can't wait to see where you go from here! ^_^

[identity profile] kalleah.livejournal.com 2007-03-31 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
It's fear of getting hurt again to let your hopes get up. Think about it as greater empathy for the Doctor, who feels the same way.