Later that day

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

She finishes up everything that demands her attention. "Full lid gang" she says to herself. She packs up her attache and gets up to leave. She knows she should have left hours ago...but she just couldn't stand unfinished business. Her job, whatever her job, was a serious responsibility.

She walks down the hallway. The school sounds deserted (except for a strange wheezing coming from...a locker?) and she feels no need to hurry.

Looking around there are posters and flyers cluttering bulletin boards...it smells of chalk and floor polish. Just a high school, she thinks.

Comments

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

Don't go out.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I...can't.

I've been trying to, and I just can't make myself put my hand on the door. It's so very strange...*her voice trails off*

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

Thank god. [He takes her hand and opens the door. They step outside, into the pouring rain, for about two seconds, before he pulls her back inside.

His head is aching now. It makes him nearly want to vomit--something he hasn't done since he was a child, nearly a millennium ago. But he doesn't. Instead, he grits his teeth.]

Do you understand?

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

*Clearly confused, she shakes her head*

I don't...What's going on with you. It's rain.

I just want to leave. I don't want to be here anymore.

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

CJ...darling...love...

If we leave, there is a very, very good chance that we will die. I can't prove this to you. I can't drag evidence in front of you. This is all a priori.

But it's the truth. I have never, ever, lied to you, and I am not starting now. [He leans against the wall, sweat breaking out on his forehead.]

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Die? Why? Doctor, you're not making sense!

*Hysteria creeps into her voice*

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[It's creeping into his, too, and his voice gets higher and his accent increases with every word.] I don't know how. I don't know. But it's bad and it's coming, god help us, and we'll be safe here. Will you trust me? Will you, for two seconds? Please?!

[He slides down the wall to sit on the floor, looking stunned.]

...my head hurts.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

*Will you trust me? Will you, for two seconds? Please?!
She winces at his words, because they cut her deeply.

She looks out at the rain. She looks back at him. She bends and takes his hands. Regardless...if they are staying her, they may as well be comfortable*

Come on, we'll go up to the lounge.

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[He nods, standing up slowly. He looks haggard.] All right.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

*She looks out the windows one last time, squinting her eyes trying to focus on something far awy through the storm*

Is there...is something moving out there?

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[He follows her line of sight with sharper eyes, and gulps.]

Yes.

Let's go.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

*Adrenaline rushes in her blood. She doesn't want to run, but can barely stop herself*

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[Suddenly, a wave of nausea falls over him, and he moans.]

Oh god...what have they done?

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

*She turns to him*

Doctor? What?

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[Horribly embarrassed, but too sick to care, he turns away from her and vomits. Coughing, he can only speak after a moment.]

They're coming.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

*Nearing principalconnor's office, she has an idea.*

Do we need guns, because you know there are some in here...

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

If they're not booby-trapped all to hell.

...You know how to shoot?

[The Doctor doesn't carry a gun. He never has. But if she knows...]

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I do. Sim-...someone thought I should know how to defend myself.

*looks at the office door*

Do you think she has it booby trapped?

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

*sticks his head outside of the library door*

Is something the matter? Can I help?

*furrowed brow, but no real concern as of yet -- and no weapon*

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

*peers out from safely behind Methos looking mildly worried*

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

Probably. Don't blame her. But it's nothing this won't handle. [He pulls out his sonic screwdriver and fiddles with it for a few tense minutes.]

Well, there's a touch of C4 on this door, among other, more desirable things. Enough to blow up whomever is messing with it--who can't get past the three different forms of password protection on the lock--but not enough to harm the school.

[He pushes a button and a light pulse comes out of the screwdriver.]

That should neutralise it, if I can't get past the passwords--[he begins to fiddle with the lock] there. Go stand a few doors down, just in case.

[He kisses her, quickly, and shoves her away, then begins to open the door handle.]

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

*Voices from the library draw her attention. She kisses him lightly and runs toward people. They should know about the possible explosion*

Get in, get down!

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

*eyes get really big*

What?

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

His eyes widen, then Methos ducks around Vala and heads for the collections desk. Behind it is his sword, and he pulls it, turning to the other two. "Get behind me."

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor pulls the door open and throws himself to one side, running.

Three seconds later, the door explodes, but he's already down the hall, towards the library. Wood and steel shrapnel flies, but only within a certain distance--it hits him in the back.]

[coughing] Guess I didn't neutralise it quite enough.