Receiving Another Chance (Book Ten of The Bad Wolf Chronicles)

Prelude

Yeah, yeah, very uncreative interlude name. That's what it is, though, pretty much setting up "Listen," so it works.

Oh, I'm back, by the way. ;) "Turning The Tides," the prequel of this series which covers the entirety of Jessie's backstory, has been completed! I hope I lived up to expectations. :)

Also, I have no idea why - yes, Miss Gatiss, I do mean this - but the theme from "The Impossible Planet" just seems to fit this version of Rose. At least, at this point in the game, anyway.

Anyway, enjoy!

***

"Well, someone's looking happy."

Clara looked up from her grading to smile at Rose as she entered. "Pink cheeks," she noted. "Meet a guy?"

Rose just laughed. "The day that happens is the day I'm truly shocked by something in the universe." Clara looked down, hiding her grin with her hair. "Speaking of a guy . . . " Rose plopped down in the chair by Clara's desk. "When do I get to meet your boyfriend finally?"

"Uh," Clara shuffled slightly. "Well, he's sort of out of the country right now." She made a show of looking around before whispering, "if I told you, I'd have to kill you."

"Oh," Rose smirked. "That kind of a job?"

"Yeah."

"Won't tell a soul," she winked.

Clara giggled. "Go on. What torture did you give the kids today?"

"Not too bad," Rose shrugged. "Did another mile. Let them do dodgeball for the remainder of the time."

"Sounds like fun."

"It was." Rose leaned back in her chair. "We still owe Mr. Pink that drink."

Clara nearly choked on her own spit. "What?" she coughed.

Rose clapped her on the back to help her. "Come on, we're both free tonight," she coaxed. "And the sooner you get the drink over with, the sooner he's out of our hair."

"Oh . . . " Clara sighed. "Fine."

"I will give him the good news," Rose smirked, standing and heading for the door. "Tell your secret agent boyfriend I'm stealing you for tonight!"

"Will do," Clara shook her head with a giggle. Rose just winked and left.

***

"So this Rumlow person," Wanda walked around the TARDIS, flicking through files on a tablet. "He used to be Steve's righthand man?"

"While he worked for SHIELD," Jessie nodded as she swung around in the captain's chair, absently popping chocolate covered cherries into her mouth. "Perfect place to spy on him."

"For HYDRA," Wanda nodded as she leaned against the rail. "All this time, all of these HYDRA agents inside of SHIELD."

"And no one noticed?" Pietro frowned.

"Fury at least suspected," Jessie confirmed. "And he was the one that told Steve. Then there was an attempted assassination attempt on him at Steve's own apartment. Gave HYDRA the perfect opening to mark Steve as wanted. He, Nat, and Saleen high tailed it out, dug up what they could - "

"And then Sam became involved," Wanda nodded, finding that file.

"They dug his wings out of storage, met up with Fury and Hill, and raided the Triskelion to stop Project Insight," Jessie nodded. "That began the SHIELD Civil War."

"One we are still fighting," Wanda sighed as she closed the files.

"Steve's been trying to find Crossbones ever since," Jessie smiled sympathetically. "I'll be happy when he finally catches the bastard. He and Martha need a break."

Pietro smirked. "Have they finally started discussing having a family?"

"I don't know," Jessie admitted. "But if they don't soon, Steve needs a kick in the crotch."

Wanda laughed. "Stark would gladly oblige."

"Yeah, he probably would." She popped another cherry in her mouth before offering the bowl. "Cherry?"

"No," Wanda shook her head before frowning. "How many of those have you had?"

Jessie slowed her chewing and considered the cherries in the bowl. "I lost count at number thirteen."

Pietro snorted loudly as Wanda pinched the bridge of her nose. "Where is the Doctor when you need him?"

Jessie tilted her head. "Sitting on top of the TARDIS," she answered.

Wanda sighed. "And what is he doing up there?"

***

Also, since I felt like it would get way too squished up top . . .

Made by my lovely little sis, The_Enchanted_Girl. For those of you who don't know this type of meme, it's basically comparing different characters to . . . well, something.

Basically, 11th Caly looks like a cinnamon roll (sweet and innocent), but she could actually kill you.

3rd J looks like she could kill you . . . I rest my case.

10th Alice looks like she could kill you, but she's a cinnamon roll (and she hasn't really been in the shape to kill anyone recently).

And 2nd Anna looks like a cinnamon roll . . . do I really need to say "duh?"

Thanks, Miss Enchanted, for the lovely meme! I absolutely love it!

"Listen" is coming up in a few moments!