TARDIS After Dark

-Chapter 2 -

CHAPTER 2:

LOCATION: THE TARDIS

YEAR: UNKNOWN, SOMEWHERE IN TIME AND SPACE

“So?” said River, towel drying her hair after her recent landing into the TARDIS’ swimming pool, “whereabouts are we going?” she asked.

“Hmm?” went The Doctor absent-mindedly, busy pulling levers, spinning dials and pressing buttons. “Oh yes, well as my wife, it’s important that we get to know each other’s friends” he began to explain. “Which is why I thought that this was perfect timing for you to meet my good friend Jack, he and I go way back, besides I need to ask him a favour.”

River feeling more than a little suspicious inquired “What kind of advice?”

The Doctor blushed and wouldn't quite meet her eye when he turned to look at her. “Well, er Jack is… well he’s …” he floundered. “Oh, is it getting hot in here?” he asked, deliberately changing the subject and tugging at his bow tie.

Fortunately he was saved from any further questioning, as the TARDIS landed at her destination with a ‘Vwooooorp Vwoooorp’. “Still leaving the hand-brake on during landings I see” said River shaking her head in mock disapproval.

“Cardiff!” interrupted the Doctor, pushing the doors wide to reveal the stunning view of Cardiff bay.  “I like Cardiff, do you like Cardiff? Of course you do everyone does. Lovely people in Cardiff unless you’re talking about the Gelth of course, then they’re not so lovely, kind of have a habit of possessing then killing people for their bodies. Eeeeer, anyway I'm just going to pop out for a minute....”

 Locking the doors with the TARDIS key that the Doctor had given her as a present at their wedding, she followed after him.

“Now River I'd like you to meet Jack and Ianto. Jack is the handsome one in the trench coat”, Jack shot River a wink, “Ianto is the guy who's about to serve us coffee”.

“I'm not just the coffee boy you know” Ianto protested.

The Doctor put his hand on his shoulder, “of course you aren't Ianto, now come on hustle. That coffee isn't going to make itself, although on second thoughts make mine a cappuccino please”.

Feeling agitated, Ianto lurched off to prepare the beverages leaving Jack to introduce himself properly. “Hi I'm Captain Jack Harkness former soldier, former time agent, formerly deceased and leader of Torchwood Three”.

 River held out her hand to shake but to her surprise he kissed it instead. The Doctor shot Jack a warning look, but he simply smiled, then addressing River he said “Let me know if you want to experience a real man”.

“Oi!” the Doctor intervened sliding in between them. “She's my date and may I remind you she’s also my wife, yours is the one over there pouring out the Kenco.” Then he added as an afterthought, “besides I've got more fire power than you anyway”.

'Oh really?' Jack jested raising his massive M4 Rifle.

“Where were you hiding that?” asked River clearly impressed.

Jack shrugged nonchalantly then replied; “believe me lady, you really don’t wanna know.”

River was quite enjoying the whole thing but sensing the Doctor was feeling a little uncomfortable, she edged towards him and placing her hand on his arm asked; “So my love, where are we going?”

“Well I don't know,  I thought I’d leave that up to you, we've got Paris, Rome, Midnight…” with every location he wildly threw his hands in the air like an overly excited child.  “Then there's a nice little restaurant I know in the horse head nebula, so take your pick River, tonight is your night!” He caught Jack looking up and glaring at him as he stood with his hand on his hip, just above the holster for his Webley revolver, “and theirs....”