Sparrow Saga: Book 1 - Time Lady Sparrow

Chapter 13: The Riptide of Cardiff

The TARDIS landed with a familiar wheeze in the heart of Cardiff, the vibrant city bustling outside, blissfully unaware of the adventure unfolding within the time machine. Jack Harkness stepped out first, a bright smile illuminating his handsome face as he took in the sights. He turned back to Sparrow, who was adjusting her jacket, still navigating the complexities of her identity.

"You know," Jack said with a hint of mischief, "I could show you around. Cardiff has some amazing nightlife."

Sparrow raised an eyebrow, her expression teasing but cautious. "You mean you could show me around, right? I'm still getting used to this body and all."

"Come on," he said, stepping closer, "I promise I'll be gentle. And who knows? Maybe you'll even enjoy it."

The Doctor stepped out of the TARDIS, catching the last part of their exchange. He furrowed his brow, jealousy bubbling beneath the surface. "Jack," he interjected, his voice clipped, "we have a job to do first. Rose, can you help me with the readings?"

"Sure, Doctor," Rose replied, clearly eager to assist. She shot a quick glance at Sparrow and Jack, her expression mixed with annoyance and resentment, but she didn't say anything further.

"Right, then!" the Doctor exclaimed, rubbing his hands together. "We need to refuel the TARDIS. There's a dimensional rift around here somewhere." He paused, pulling out his journal and flipping through the pages. "Ah! Here it is—the rift runs under Cardiff Bay. We'll head there."

As they made their way through the city streets, Jack fell into step beside Sparrow, maintaining a light-hearted banter that only increased the Doctor's annoyance. "So, what do you think of Cardiff?" Jack asked, a glint in his eye.

"It's... interesting," Sparrow replied, trying to keep her tone neutral, though her thoughts raced back to how different she felt in this new body. Can I really be someone new?

"Interesting? Come on! This place is brilliant!" Jack's enthusiasm was contagious, but Sparrow maintained her composure. It was hard not to notice how Jack's loyalty and admiration for her stood in stark contrast to the Doctor's increasing distance.

The Doctor glanced back, catching the exchange, and his eyes narrowed slightly. What's he doing? He felt a surge of possessiveness, the kind he hadn't felt in centuries. "Keep up, you two!" he called, trying to mask his irritation.

As they approached the site of the rift, the Doctor spotted a familiar name on his journal's page: Margaret Blaine. "Wait a minute," he muttered to himself, flipping pages frantically. "She's alive?!"

"Who?" Rose asked, tilting her head. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"The Slitheen!" The Doctor snapped his journal shut, his excitement palpable. "Margaret Blaine—the one who survived! She's the mayor now and is planning to build a nuclear power plant."

"Good to know!" Jack said, his voice filled with playful eagerness. "I say we pay her a visit!"

They reached the site of the planned power plant, and the Doctor pointed out the sleek modern building, vibrant blueprints plastered on the walls. "Let's go catch ourselves a Slitheen."

The moment they entered the building, the air was electric with anticipation. They moved cautiously through the hallways, the walls adorned with motivational posters about energy and sustainability. Suddenly, they heard voices echoing through the corridors.

"—we need to move forward with the project, Mayor!" a frantic aide insisted.

"Of course we will! But we must be cautious," Margaret's voice came through, thick with her typical bravado. "The last thing we need is a repeat of last time!"