BRING IT (John & Hollie)

[Lt Hollie Saunders]

The barmen saw her lifted finger, and brought her over yet another drink. The blonde had to be completely wasted by now, but people didn’t come to his bar to be refused service. As long as she was paying, and not making too much of a scene, he wasn’t going to say anything.

Hollie raised the glass to her lips, sculling most of it in one long gulp. The alcohol was starting to set in – she could feel the slight buzz of its effects through her body. She didn’t know whether it was a born resistance from her 51st century childhood, or if she’d just built up one from her less than respectable habits. Well, screw respectable. She’d just have to drink more. She flicked her platinum blonde hair and adjusted her vortex manipulator on her wrist. To others, it just looked like a black leather bracelet. Little did they know, it was so much more. This little baby could literally take her to the end of time and space. It was the kind of freedom many longed for, although they never realised it, and it was hers. She twisted it again, into a bit more of a comfortable position, and drained the rest of her drink.

She resisted the urge to look around the room, trying to spot the man she was meeting. She knew him, and more than that, she knew he would come. He wouldn’t be able to resist. If he didn’t, she’d just go find him. Him and Jack might have taught her a fair chunk of what she knew, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t do it better. And she knew his weaknesses, be they few and far between.

[Captain John Hart]

John had gotten the message on his Vortex Manipulator. No, he really wished she hadn’t popped up into his life. No, he wasn’t ready to deal with the aftermath of what he could only imagine she was here for. Yes, he wished he could get his bloody wristband to work so he could leave bloody Cardiff and then when the shit hit the fan he would be on another world, sipping Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters out of the belly button of a nubile young Anthorian. Oh, Anthorians and their blue skin and double joints.

But, no, he was here in stinking Cardiff meeting one of the people he had once loved beyond hope and now loathed the idea of her. She was his baby sister, though she out-ranked them. He fancied her like mad. Possibly more than he had loved Jack. He never told her. He couldn’t. Something that big could ruin thing. Look what his feelings did for his relationship with Jack. That was why he decided that for him it would only be about sex and not affections.

Since the beginning he has been a survivalist. He had survived the Time Agency all the way up until they disbanded. Before that he had survived the destruction of his home colony. No parents to love him. No one but his own skill and cunning and natural survival instincts. That was all he needed.

Love made you soft and runny on the inside like brie. He needed to be harder, like a nice sharp cheddar. Wait, did I just make cheese references? I must be hungry.

He entered the bar, not really wanting to go through with this but he needed to know if she was here for pleasure or for his pain. There was also a part of him that wanted to protect Jack. Sometimes it’s better to not know what you’ve done.

John stood in the doorway for a moment. There she was. God, she was gorgeous. He hated that. He had hoped she had aged or had gotten a nasty facial scar. That would have made this so much easier than to look into the face of the one person, next to Jack, that he had wanted so bad and could never touch.

With a soft sigh of resignation, John entered the bar properly and sidled up next to her. He held out his hand.

“I don’t think we’ve met under our current names. I’m Captain John Hart.”

[Lt Hollie Saunders]

Hollie glanced around as someone sat down next to her, and smiled, just a little. So he had come. She’d known he would, but it was always nice to be proven right. He’d not changed, not really. A little older, but if anything, it only added to his appearance. Looking at him, she hadn’t been prepared for the influx of feelings that seeing him would bring. After all, it wasn’t often she crossed members of her past. She was careful not to. Better to leave the past in the past, and concentrate on the here and now. And, aside from a few certain others, there weren’t many that had a larger impact on her life than the man sitting next to her. They’d had some good times; no one could deny that. He and Jack had been the father figures she’d never had growing up –albeit, not the best influences- combined with friends, and companions, and so much more. A lot had happened in those two years.

“John?” she said, raising an eyebrow. “A bit common for your tastes.” she took the offered hand. “Lieutenant Hollie Saunders. It’s been a while.”She looked him over. He still looked the same as always, down to that bloody jacket. She didn’t want to know the last time that thing had been taken off, never lone washed. She’d just have to take it off for him.

As tempting as that was, it wasn’t what she was meeting him for. She put her glass down, turning around to face her once mentor and friend. “So John Hart. What have I missed?”

[Captain John Hart]

“John?” she said, raising an eyebrow. “A bit common for your tastes.” She took his hand and shook it. “Lieutenant Hollie Saunders. It’s been a while.”

John sat down, an eyebrow raised. “The man I took it from didn’t think it was common. Besides, too much flare draws unwanted attention.” He adjusted his sword and brushed his jacket open enough to show his western gun in its holster. “You know me, I’m subtle,” he said with a wicked smile.

He ordered a drink before speaking. John kept throwing her side-glances. But damn she looked amazing. This was really going to be hard. Maybe he could play with her for a little bit before making her disappear. Not that he wanted to hurt her; she was just too much of liability. The bartender gave him his whiskey and eyed his weapons, probably thinking they were fake once he got a glance at his jacket.

“Hollie? As in Holly Hobbie?” he asked, shooting her another smile. “Does that mean I can play with you?”

“So John Hart. What have I missed?” she asked.

John turned to fully look at her. “What have you missed? Honestly, love, what are you playing at? I mean, it’s been a few years. I thought you were dead. Why now? Why here?” He knocked back his whiskey and continued, “I mean, I’m stuck here. Bloody Rift did something to my wristband.” He eyed hers. “Yours still functioning?” he asked, his voice slightly hopeful.

[Lt Hollie Saunders]

Hollie looked over him again, the napoleonic jacket, the bloody sword in a holster. She was all for weapons, but it was just like him to want to flaunt it. Not that her own sense of style could be described as subtle herself, but at least she behaved when she was travelling. The full jacket, black shining tights and platform heels fit in somewhat, although not so much in Cardiff. Bloody Cardiff. If there weren't such strong reading resonating from the city she'd be out in a heartbeat. Although things had recently gotten significantly more interesting.
"Yes, the large sword screams subtle"she said sarcastically. "Compensating for something are we?"

She raised an eyebrow at John. "Only good boys get ot play with toys." she said, crossing her legs. Her eyes danced, teasingly. She'd missed this.

Her teasing expression quickly turned into a scowl as the man had his little rant. "What am I playing at?!" she demanded, her voice quickly rising. The bar was lud, and it only drew a few stares, which the blonde ignored. "You're the one who pushed me away. Too painful, you said, you couldn't bear it. I'm sorry that I didn't try harder to keep in contact."

She spun around on her stool, facing the bar, fiddling with her wristband and waiting for her temper to flare down. Bloody John. she was with him for five minutes and reverted years. She didn't look at him as she spoke. "I's a bit sluggish, but it seems to be working. And for your information, I wasn't searching for you. The rift readings projected through onto this-"she guestured the strap "And I happened to be bored enough to follow them."

[Captain John Hart]

"Yes, the large sword screams subtle" she said sarcastically. "Compensating for something are we?"

With a smirk John said, “Not compensating. Advertising.”

"Only good boys get ot play with toys." she said, crossing her legs.

John watched her legs crossed and licked his lips. “Guess that counts me out, then,” he said, looking back up to her face with a definite hunger in his eyes. “You know me, bad to the bone.”

How amazing was it that after all these years they could so easily fall back into their banter as if no time had passed. Damn, but did it annoy him. He wanted to come in here and act like she was nothing. Act like he didn’t care. He wanted to hate her bloody guts.

He was failing.

Even her frustration with him was endearing. "What am I playing at?!" she demanded. "You're the one who pushed me away. Too painful, you said, you couldn't bear it. I'm sorry that I didn't try harder to keep in contact."

He called for another drink before tackling this. John nodded at the bartender and knocked it back, calling for a third. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as memories flooded his mind.

He couldn’t look at her. It was best this way. His heart was breaking and he hated himself for even feeling. How could he live with so much pain? His partner was betrayed into doing something he shouldn’t have and now he was lost to him. He couldn’t look at her and not think of him. It was killing him. Why did he care? He never cared before. He wanted to die.[/i]

I couldn’t bear it because I think I loved you, he thought, drinking back the next whiskey.

“Just keep ‘em coming, Pauly,” he said to the bartender. He was a regular.

Leaning on his elbows, his head hunched down, he turned it slightly to look at Hollie. “They took him and you know I was broken. Don’t you dare throw that in my face. If I had wanted contact I would have found you. I was happy wallowing in my misery. Now with you here I have to start facing things I’d thought I’d buried a long time ago.” He looked back at his glass. “You’re here to tell him, aren’t you? It’ll only kill him. Not that it would stick, but it would be good enough to break him a few thousand times.”

She touched her wristband, checking it out. "I's a bit sluggish, but it seems to be working. And for your information, I wasn't searching for you. The rift readings projected through onto this-"she guestured the strap "And I happened to be bored enough to follow them."

John seemed to perk up a bit. “Ha! You’re bloody stuck here too! The readings drew my wristband here when I hit random. I just wanted to be anywhere and it brought me here. Now the best I can do is get across town. That bloody rift is a menace and I honestly want as far away from it as I can possibly get.”

[Lt Hollie Saunders]

Did he think he was the only one hurt by it all? Did he honestly believe that she hadn't been just as upset when their friend was taken, hadn't felt that as much as he had. Him and Jack, had been her family. For the two years they travelled, those two long, hard, dangerous, wonderful years, thry had been everything. She'd loved them both, and Hollie didn't let people that close to her, even back then. It took true feeling to get under the shell, and whoever did always left a mark. Those teo had left a huge bloody emotional scar asa remember me.

"Do you think you were the only one it hurt" she snapped, but her voice lacked the usual fire. "At least he remembered you. I might as well be a face in the crowd. He has no idea who I am anymore." She knew this for a fact - it had only been the day before that they'd crossed paths. She'd seached for hours, although as far as he knew she was a random stranger in a shop. She thought she had prepared herself for the pain as his eyes passed over her, without that flash of recognition. Turns out she hadn't, although as always, she'd hidden it well. "I didn't come to tell him, just as I didn't come to cause you pain. Give me some credit." she said, rolling her eyes.

Hollies eyes narrowed as John perked up. "I didn't say stuck, I said sluggish" she retorted, her fingers dancing over the small keypad. As her eyes flicked over the readings, she felt growing alarm at what she saw. There wasn't a hope in hell she was letting him know that. A test drive might be in order as soon as she got a minute alone. Stuck. Wouldn't that be bloody wonderful now. In Cardiff of all places.

[sorry if i god modded jack a bit there]

[Captain John Hart]

"Do you think you were the only one it hurt" she snapped, but her voice lacked the usual fire. "At least he remembered you. I might as well be a face in the crowd. He has no idea who I am anymore."

John sunk back on his haunches. She was right. The only reason Jack remembered him was because of that bloody time loop and that happened before Hollie came into the picture.

“I know you weren’t the only one hurt. I know we both lost him. Wait, what?” he asked, realizing what she had said. “You saw him? He didn’t remember you?” That was a relief. Taking memories is rather painless but when they all slam back into place it stings. The bigger the chunk of memories the harder the slap to the skull. Jack was unwittingly looking forward to a migraine the size of Cardiff itself when/if he began to remember.

"I didn't come to tell him, just as I didn't come to cause you pain. Give me some credit." said, rolling her eyes.

He turned to face her, again. He reached a hand out to brush a stray bit of blonde hair off her face. “Why did you come, love? I can’t believe it was only for the rift. Remember, I know you. I know you wouldn’t hurt him intentionally but there has to be a reason.” He waved the hand he’d just touched her hair with, motioning around the room. “I can hardly believe it was for the ambiance and company.”

John leaned forward, slightly. He inhaled, softly. Her pheromones never drove him to distraction the way Jack’s did. Her scent reminded him of youth and innocence. She calmed him and made him into the man not many ever saw. He wasn’t the usual smarmy arsehole he was with everyone else. Her pheromones were like heaven. He remembered Jack saying that he felt cool and collective around her. That they were he perfect mix for their team. Jack’s was utter eroticism, his were testosterone and challenge and Hollie could charm the sixth eye out of a Gollum. Together they were unbeatable. Until…

He shuddered. This was going to be so hard when she left. It was going to be the hardest thing he’d ever experienced and John wanted to run. Perhaps he would resort to regular Earth travel. Perhaps…

"I didn't say stuck, I said sluggish" she retorted.

John’s eyebrows rose. “Yeah, sluggish. Remember, we have the same model. These don’t get sluggish. You’re bloody stuck so just admit it. I’m going to be heading over to Jack’s lair this afternoon to see if I can use his toys to figure this mess out. I can’t be stuck on this rock forever.” As emphasis, he knocked back his drink.


[S‘ok. Payback for Jack physically moving Liz without me asking ahead of time. *wink*]

[Lt Hollie Saunders]

Her face was grim as she nodded. "Yesterday. He didn't have a clue. That or he's a really good actor and a true jerk.But that was always you."She resented the relief that crossed John's face, and wondered at it. She didn't want to see Jack hurting either, but she was sure, in the long run, then man would prefer the memories to the pain. Pain was an inevitable part of life - you might as well get something from it. None of them were strangers to it in the least. So why was John so relieved that Jack didn't remember. It seemed he didn't want those two years recovered, and that made her suspicious. She narrowed her eyes. "You seem awfully relieved" she mused.

His hand came up to brush a loose strand of hair from her cheek, and Hollie's heart skipped a beat. The skin on skin contact send tingles through her body, and she pushed hard to keep them at bay. Things were complicated enough without another bottle of emotions added to the mix. There would be time for that later. And if there wasn't - well, all the better for her. It was going to be hard enough to part ways as it was. She wasn't looking forward to that goodbye. The last one still tore her heart.

She didn't know what she'd done. Just when she'd needed him most, when she'd found someone she thought she could trust, he pushed her away. He couldn't bear to look at her anymore, he said. Where did that leave her? Was she supposed to just go back to life before she'd met them? She couldn't do that, anymore than she could forget the past two years. The sting of rejection, and grief and loss, it cut her to the bone. She didn't think she could bear it.

She wrapped her cool hands around his, holding it for a moment against her cheek as she breathed in that delicious smell, the one that made you want to grab his hand and dive headfirst into something crazy and wonderful, before placing it gently on the bar. "You knew me"she said softly, meeting his gaze from under her lashes. "It's been a long three years John." A long, painful, lonely three years, and that changed a person. She knew she wasn't the same Hollie, or whatever name she'd used, as she had been. She'd grown up. It wasn't a certain age, or graduations and responsibilities that aged a person. It wasn't even experiences. Only pain and suffering could truly make you grow up, that loss of trust and innocence, and the belief that things could actually work out alright.

You’re bloody stuck so just admit it

"I'll do no such thing." she said, pouting. "I also take rather better care of mine than you do-" she added, eyeing the battered strap on his wrist "-and actually read the manual. You just give up too easily."

[Captain John Hart]

"You seem awfully relieved" she mused.

John gave her a weak smile. “Yes and no. I just…” He just what? He couldn’t say. He knew Jack deserved his memories yet, something nagged at him that this would be a huge mistake. John was always one to follow his gut instinct and this time his gut was screaming no.

When he touched her face, she took his hand and he felt her soft skin. How many nights did I dream of that skin? That face? He wanted to lean in and claim her lips the way he should have years ago. He never touched her because of Jack. He kept his distance, only loving her as a sister because Jack had said it was only right. Oh, he’d kissed her, Jack kisses everyone, but John couldn’t and because he was already shagging Jack he followed the bloody rules.

John was shagging Jack but he loved Hollie.

John mentally shook himself from his thoughts. Again, bad things were down that trail if he dared to pursue them. Though, when she placed his hand on the bar he felt such a loss.


"You knew me" she said softly, meeting his gaze from under her lashes.

Oh Lord, how he loved that look.

“It's been a long three years John."

Three years of Hell. To be apart of a dynamic team and then to find yourself utterly alone was such a smack. Granted, he made it that way. He could have stayed with Hollie but his own selfish instincts made him run, those same instincts were telling him to run again.

But she’s so bloody gorgeous and, damn, I would kill for a moment…

Kill or die. He turned back to the bar, hating himself with such a deep loathing that he imagined his heart turning black.

He couldn’t help but snicker when she pouted at him over the wristband. Then he began indignant.

“I haven’t given up! And I have read the manuel, a non-linear decade ago. I don’t even have a copy of it anymore. Besides, this thing has been modified so many times I think the old books are obsolete.” he pushed his right sleeve back to show the rough scars on his arm. “And thanks to Jack’s baby brother, I had a bomb fused into my bloody skin and for some reason that has made my wristband act odd.

But I know it’s this bloody rift. I met a bloke, his machine won’t play with him either. It’s the rift.”