fandomhigh | Professor Chaucer: Office Hours

[He smiles widely, still watching Geoff.] Shane...will be a joy. She has a brilliant mind. I just wish she hadn't been told otherwise so often and so strongly in the past. Honestly, I can't wait to teach her.

She's signed up for one of mine as well -- and I have a feeling it's going to challenge me as much as it will her. [He takes a sip of coffee, still watching, and smiles] How is the poetry coming?

[Ten blushes slightly.] To tell you the truth, I haven't really been working on it, of late. Besides, who needs my poetry when they can have some of your far better work? ...I'm not criticising CJ's patronship of you, I think it's fantastic, but I fear she won't find anything I write intelligent or skillful.

[He looks down and then back up, a slightly self-mocking smile on his face.] It's probably all just me being unsure of myself, isn't it?

[Geoff tilts his head to reestablish eye contact when the Doctor looks away. His voice softens.] When you're writing poetry for someone, skill has almost nothing to do with the result.

If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll ask CJ to revoke her patronage. I don't want... [He pauses, and blushes slightly] Ah...I don't want to interfere in any way.

[Fierce brown eyes meet blue ones.] That's not what I meant. CJ is her own woman and I don't stand in the way of her business, nor she in mine. You're not the problem with my writing, Geoff, the problem is me.

[He draws back slightly at Ten's response.] I apologize, Ten. I didn't mean to suggest otherwise.

I...the offer still stands. The help you, if you want it.

[He looks to one side, mouth quirking.] I didn't mean to snap, I'm sorry. It's just been a hard day.

I...I'd like that.

[Geoff's expression softens.] Anything you'd like to talk about?

You mean you hadn't heard? [Ten looks back at Geoff, eyes sad.] A student was found dead. Murdered.

[Geoff nods] I had heard -- Marty told me earlier. Did you know her? Does anyone have any idea what happened?

[He shakes his head.] Not that I've heard. CJ was very upset...and I had started thinking about what could happen to her, and to ~~you~~ ~~Shane~~ ~~Adam~~ the rest of my friends...
Dean Bristow is very upset. [voice drops] I think he might do something rash and not entirely undeserved. But that goes no further than here.

But that wasn't the only thing on my mind.

[He slumps back into his chair] I wish there was something I could do... [he mumbles]

[Ten's last words catch his attention, and he leans forward slightly.] What else, then?

[The Doctor's expression is stony, though quite obviously not due to Geoff.] You never know. There may be need of all of our aid before this is over.

[His face changes to a rather embarrassed blush.] And...er...I was worried that you thought I was being a bastard.

Whatever I can do, Ten. Just tell me, and I'll do it.

[At the Doctor's blush, and his next words, Geoff looks away and fidgets a bit in his chair.] I don't think that at all, Ten. I told you -- it was my decision to talk. You didn't force me. [He meets Ten's eyes again.] You were not being a bastard.

[He chews on his lower lip.] I keep picking at people, Geoff. I always have. I prod them, pull away their defenses and insist upon things. It keeps getting me into trouble.

[Troubled eyes meet his.] But I'm in trouble a lot, both in my mind and in reality.

Funny how the trouble in our minds always causes us more grief than the trouble in reality.

I'm not angry, Ten.

[He shakes his head.] No...no, you're not. But...

Whatever. Not important.

[Geoff moves his chair closer and reaches out, taking hold of Ten's forearms. He's smiling, but his voice is serious.] Ten, you are coming perilously close to finding out exactly how much patience I have.

Tell. me. what. is. wrong.

[Oh, god, why did he have to do that?] I'm guessing not much? [nervous laugh]

[He looks down at Geoff's hands, then up into his eyes.] I...I don't usually tell people what I'm thinking, Geoff. It's too dangerous, most of the time.

[He looks deep into Ten's eyes, and then nudges the door closed with his foot.]

I'm not afraid of what you're thinking, Ten.

I am. [He looks away and down, reading a bookshelf from a distance.]

[Geoff leans in closer, and his voice grows softer.]

Look at me, Ten.

[The Doctor's brow furrows, just for a second, wincing. Then he slowly turns back to look at Geoff, face less than a foot away.]

[His voice is very low, so quiet that no one further away than Ten would be likely to hear him.]

I swear I won't judge you, Ten. And I won't hate you, or run away, or stop being your friend. Just tell me.

You know...what you told me the other night... [He can feel Geoff's body, he's that damn close the bastard, and it makes this harder and easier to do at the same time.] Did I ever say I disagreed?

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