(no subject)

[agent_harkness]

Lynda... I need to talk to you. Don't worry, I brought a chaperone.

Comments

[james-gate.livejournal.com]

Hi, Aunt Lynda.

[lyndawithay]

*worried*

Why would I be worried? I'm not worried.

Hi, Jimmy.

What is it, Jack?

[agent_harkness]

I'm gonna something dangerous - really dangerous - and I want your help.

I'm gonna go into the darkness, Lynda, and try and stay there for long enough to find out what's in there. I need someone to anchor me so I don't get lost.

[lyndawithay]

I'm glad to help in any way I can, but Jack, isn't the darkness - death? How in heaven's name can you go there?

And how can I anchor you?

[agent_harkness]

I go first.

You follow a little later. If I can't find my way back, you bring me home.

[lyndawithay]

If you can't find your way back, what makes you think I'll be able to?

[agent_harkness]

The longer you stay, the harder it gets to find your way home.

Listen, this is a hell of a thing to ask for. I'll understand completely if the answer is "no".

[lyndawithay]

*bites her lip and looks at the ground*

*looks at you*

I'll do it.

[agent_harkness]

You name the time. Right now, if you want.

[lyndawithay]

Right now. Just tell me what to do.

[agent_harkness]

There's no way to pretty this up.

*unholsters his gun*

It's the easiest way. You give me about an hour, then you follow. OK?

[lyndawithay]

Wait!

*leads you and Jimmy to a secluded tree-filled area, away from the house*

Follow the darkness. Right.

...I didn't know you could do that.

*gives you a huge tearful hug*

You'd better come back.

[agent_harkness]

If you can't find me pretty darn quickly, don't stay round.

Don't look.

*takes a couple of deep breaths and shoots himself through the temple*

[lyndawithay]

*doubles over in sympathy, unable to breathe*

*stays still, not daring to look round*

Jimmy, I need you to do something for me.

*straightens, still not turning*

*takes a notebook from her pocket and writes*


Dear Arthur,

I had to take a risk to save the life of someone I care about. I'm the only one in the world that could do it. Please understand that I love you with all my heart, but I have a responsibility to use the gift I've been given. To make it mean something; to make my life mean something. This is what I was destined to do.

If you're reading this, I couldn't get back. I promise you, though, it wasn't for lack of trying. I'd fight my way through hell to get back to you.

You need to know that the Ood's babies are mine, too. Please make sure they're cared for, for me.

And above all, my dearest, care for yourself. Don't you dare think of blaming yourself for this. Be grateful for what we had, what we could share together. And don't you dare stay alone. Don't give up, and be strong.

All my love,

Lynda


*tears out the page and hands it to Jimmy*

If I don't come back, for whatever reason -give this to Arthur.

*still looking away* How long has it been?

[james-gate.livejournal.com]

*carefully folds up and pockets the note*

'bout quarter of an hour.

*bends to flick an ant off Jack's face*

[lyndawithay]

You're handling this well. I'd have thought you'd be more upset.

[james-gate.livejournal.com]

*won't look at you, hands in pockets*

Yeah, I should be, shouldn't I?

I'm different now. A lot different.

*actually, kind of disturbingly fascinated by Jack's corpse*

[lyndawithay]

*a little unnerved*

How does it feel?

Do you ever regret it?

[james-gate.livejournal.com]

I know so much more than I used to. All sorts of stuff. The sorts of things Daniel knows, or the Doctor. *shrugs* I guess I'm still only a kid, though.

*looks at you with black-green eyes*

I don't regret saving Harley. I just wish... I'm a freak now. I hafta get out of here.

[lyndawithay]

It's just hard to know what to make of you now, Jimmy. We used to know you, and now we have to get to know you again.

*looks worried* Where will you go? Will you ever come back?

[james-gate.livejournal.com]

I dunno. Wackyland, maybe. I wanna keep an eye on Harley so I guess I'll be back now and then.

*not cryin'* Why'd this have to happen to me? Why was I born in the first place?

[lyndawithay]

*takes your hand*

That's just what I said. When my family, when practically my whole planet, was destroyed, but I was brought back to life. When I found out about this immortality thing. I felt like a freak too.

Maybe you're meant to do something with it. Something no one else but you can do, that'll make the world better. That's how I came to terms with mine, anyway.

Speaking of...

*voice trembles a little bit* I think it's been an hour by now.

[james-gate.livejournal.com]

Jesus, Lynda, are you sure about this?

[lyndawithay]

...No.

*seizes both your hands in hers and looks at you fiercely*

Dont you ever tell anyone this. Especially not Arthur. Not ever. No one understands this, except Jack.

...Aside from failing Jack, I'd be okay with it if I didn't come back.

Death defines life. Without it, life feels empty and less precious. There's no risk.

*finally takes a good, long look at Jack* This is a real risk. At last. Whatever way it goes, I'll get something I want with all my heart.

*picks up the gun, shaking, and stares at it, transfixed*

*looks up at you suddenly*

You promise you won't tell a soul what I've said? And give the note to Arthur if I - if it doesn't work?

[james-gate.livejournal.com]

*nods, stricken*

[lyndawithay]

*keeps looking at you, scared*

*suddenly kisses you, eyes closed, as if making a wish, and comes away with tears in her eyes*

*takes a deep breath* This is going to hurt.

*raises the gun to her head and fires*

[james-gate.livejournal.com]

I bet it didn't, though.

*squats down beside the pair of you, back to the tree, and waits*