*checks her inbox*

[mme_depompadour]

*sends off an email*

To: o_harper@thehub.torchwood.net
From: reinette_poisson@btinternet.co.uk

Subject: Sorry...

Dr. Harper,

I don't really think I've been much of a help with the composers in your basement, they weren't really making much sense, not even to me. Last time I visited them, they had been moved and instead I ran into a gentleman who made me feel terribly uncomfortable. In fact, the incident is still giving me chills to this day. In all honesty, I'm somewhat reluctant to return the the Hub and I don't think I'll be doing so in the near future.

If you need me you have my number, feel free to call me.

Regards,
Reinette Poisson.


*sighs and sends it off*
*reads the rest of her inbox and decides to take advantage of the special 6 month offer from Match.com*

*promptly gets sent the contact details of what is, despite the blurriness of the picture, quite clearly a horse*

*turns her computer off*

Comments

[owen-harper.livejournal.com]

To: reinette_poisson@btinternet.co.uk
From: o_harper@thehub.torchwood.net

Subject: Re: Sorry...

Hey, no worries. What with all that's been going on lately, I must admit I sort of forgot about them. They seem to be doing okay though - I reckon we can let them out of quarantine soon; at this point it's pretty unlikely that they're infected.

> Last time I visited them, they had been moved and instead I ran into a gentleman
> who made me feel terribly uncomfortable. In fact, the incident is still giving me
> chills to this day.

If by 'gentleman' you mean that creepy little bloke with the wonky eye, then you don't need to worry about him. We're keeping an eye on him, no pun intended. He's pretty harmless once you're at a distance, so hopefully you can kiss those chills goodbye soon.

Speaking of which...anytime you feel like getting a coffee? You're on.

- Owen

[mme_depompadour]

To: o_harper@thehub.torchwood.net
From: reinette_poisson@btinternet.co.uk

Subject: Re: Sorry...

> Speaking of which...anytime you feel like getting a coffee? You're on.

Is that a modern, noncommittal way of asking me out for a coffee? Because I'd like that, if that's what it is. Is it?

- Reinette

[owen-harper.livejournal.com]

To: reinette_poisson@btinternet.co.uk
From: o_harper@thehub.torchwood.net

Subject: Re: Sorry...

> Is that a modern, noncommittal way of asking me out for a coffee?

Absolutely. Meet me at Common Grounds, seven o'clock?

- Owen

[mme_depompadour]

Yes. Seven.

*is at Common Grounds at ten to seven*
*waits, being watched like a hawk by a rather unfriendly looking barista, and immediately feeling a bit silly for coming in the first place*

*and downright stupid for coming on time*

[owen-harper.livejournal.com]

*arrives five minutes late*

Sorry about that. We had a bit of a situation at work, and - well. I'm sure you can guess the rest. I had to hose down with Dettol just to get the stink off. Fraxilian munkrats...nasty little buggers.

Anyway. Now that the romantic and not-at-all disgusting pre-coffee chat's done with...what are you having?

[mme_depompadour]

It's okay, I understand. Just an espresso, please.

*smiles*
You smell fine.

[owen-harper.livejournal.com]

*orders a black coffee, straight, no sugar, and grins*

Cheers. Eau de Dettol...the cologne of choice for the discriminating doctor-cum-alien-hunter. I'd return the compliment, but my nasal passages went on strike about the time the munkrat raised its tail. You look lovely, though.

Anyway, I reckon you must be used to the whole dealing-with-aliens thing. Tell you the truth; it's a relief not to have to lie about it. I once had to tell a bloke I stood him up because my ex-girlfriend's mum was in hospital. That went down well. If I'd told him I was really fighting to get a 350-pound Weevil down in the cells he'd probably have slugged me for insulting his intelligence instead of just throwing his drink in my face.

So, what's new with you? Haven't seen you for a bit. This century doing its best to keep up with you, is it?

[mme_depompadour]

*raises an eyebrow about halfway through your story, but doesn't say anything*

*smiles*
Yes, I'm... good. My children keep shooting up in size, but they're doing fine. I've got four kids at a time sometimes. I'm still doing the landscaping and gardening, I'm keeping busy.

[owen-harper.livejournal.com]

*uncertain eyebrow*

When you say 'shooting up in size', is that like saying it just as an expression, like 'growing like a weed'? Not like, really...?

[mme_depompadour]

No, really. Daf did a few inches and maybe a year and a half on top? He's about fourish suddenly. Ianto's bringing him in to see you next week, I think he said. Penny did a Time Lord thing with Pfred and now she's about ten. But she's fine, honest, she's in no danger.

[owen-harper.livejournal.com]

*nods even more uncertainly*

Right. Well, I'd still like to have her in for a checkup. Be on the safe side. We had a close call with Pfred here just lately, and I don't want to mess about. The more I know about Gallifreyan physiology the better.

*frowns lightly*

How d'you mean you've got two kids sometimes and sometimes four? *pause, and eyes get a bit distant* I used to have four kids, y'know. Probably still do have. Somewhere. I hope.

*sips coffee thoughtfully*

[mme_depompadour]

Alright, I'll bring her in.

*sips*
Oh, just in the house... Claire and Nolan. It's a bit better now that Penny's bigger, she's more of a help than a hindrance, but still...

And I don't really know if she wants to stay.

[owen-harper.livejournal.com]

*stares into the distance for a moment, lost in thought...then blinks, and attention comes back to you*

Well. Time Lord DNA...wanderlust is in their genes, isn't it? If she gets the urge to roam a bit maybe Pfred or Daf could take her along on one of their little jaunts to wherever it is they go. Show her the ropes. And who knows...maybe if she gets a little taste of time travel, she'll appreciate the good thing she's got right here at home, eh?

*tries for a charming smile, but eyes are still a bit distant*

[mme_depompadour]

*smiles, kind of far away as well*
Yeah. I wish Daf could take her... I don't always trust Pfred, and Daf at least knows how important family is.

*sighs*
But they were pretty adamant they weren't coming back, so I guess Pfred will have to do.

[owen-harper.livejournal.com]

*blinks*

Not coming back? They? What do you mean...has Dafydd gone somewhere?

[mme_depompadour]

He went back to his own timeline. He said it was getting a bit dangerous here with two of him.
*smiles*
He calls them his spider senses, I think they were tingling. Suzie went with him.

[owen-harper.livejournal.com]

*face gets an odd closed look*

*forcibly casual*

...And when was this?

[mme_depompadour]

Just the other day... they came to say goodbye, umm, Thursday? Yeah. Thursday.

[owen-harper.livejournal.com]

*doesn't reply for quite a while*

*finally nods and looks away*

Well, I can't say I'm surprised. That's always been Suzie's answer to everything: run away. The second things get tough, or someone gets too close...well, Dafydd'll find out soon enough.

*stares broodingly into coffee mug*

[mme_depompadour]

*sighs as the conversation lapses into an awkward silence and fidgets with her empty cup*

Well, umm... yes, thank you... for the coffee. I've, umm... left Penny alone, she's bigger now, but I'm still a bit... I mean... I'd better get back.
*thinks*
We should... well... yes... some time. I mean, if you...
*trails off*

You know where I am.

*leaves*

[owen-harper.livejournal.com]

*not really hearing you over the sound of own massive brooding*

*distractedly*

Yeah...yeah, you do that. Don't worry, I've got the tab. I'll see you at Penny's appointment.

*stares into space as you leave*

*broods like a black-belt Brood-Master from the planet Broodsville McBroodypants*