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It turns out that Al has a lot more time on his hands now that he doesn't have Tina on them. Not that he's complaining, mind you--her voice could take the paint off a battleship from half a mile away. He is very happy to be done with her again.

While it lasts, anyway.

In the meantime, he is settled in at a table near the bar, enjoying a cigar and some coffee. His only plans for the evening involve the sign placed before him on the table, that reads simply: Advice

Go on, ask him anything. He's probably got an answer. Either way, it's free.

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"Tis that dangerous, she's 'onest 'bout the troubles an I've spoken to others from 'er world. Just love 'er an wish to 'elp 'er an protect 'er all I can."

"Is she better-suited to dealing with those particular troubles than you are? I'm guessing things are different in your world."

A pause.

"And you love her."

"I'm na sure 'onestly, tis 'er world but we both 'ave lots o''xperience fightin'. Think in a way mine's almost 'arder, she knows I love 'er an I'll be there but I'm goin' to fight for 'er if she's 'urtin'."

"What I would do," says Al, "is lie. Agree to leave if things get too dangerous, but not have any intention of leaving. But I don't advocate you lying to her--have you tried asking her to teach you whatever it is that she knows, that you don't, that makes her better-suited to staying alive than you are?"

"'adna thought 'bout that, our fightin' skills are 'bout the same. Can ask 'fore we leave just what I need to know an all."

"Find out exactly what you're getting into, and what she thinks you'd need to know," he nods. "Talk about how much danger you're comfortable with each other being in. At what point would she want to send you home? Do you have the right to say 'this is too dangerous, we're both leaving'?"

"Aye, can do that, think will 'elp too. An 'ave a feelin' if its that bad, we can get a door back 'ere."

"Communication's the important thing. Work it out before you go, agree on your boundaries, and stick to it."

A pause.

"Unless things get really bad and she tells you to leave and you don't want to. But keep that as a last resort, because she might wind up mad at you after you get back."

"Rather 'ave 'er there to be mad at me than na there at all."

"Exactly... but if she knows ahead of time that you're not necessarily going to listen to her, she may not let you go at all."

He sips his coffee. "Even more important than that, though--before you go in there, spend the day together. One perfect day. Trust me on that."

"Aye, been tryin' to 'ave lots o'those 'fore leavin', gettin' pictures o'bein' 'appy an all."

"Pictures are nice, but they can't compare to actually having somebody there. Live in the moment, that's all. It's what I always did."

"Oh aye, sir, tis one thing we are good at."

Will blushes slightly and beams a bit, he feels quite lucky to have Kate in his life.

He grins.

"Then you'll be just fine. It's a lot better to regret doing something than to spend your life wishing you'd had the courage to do something, you know?"

"Oh aye, sir, better to live while ye can."

"Take her to the beach," he says. "Beaches are great. Swimming, cuddling on sand and watching the stars... those were the days."

"Ne'er really been to a beach 'xcept for the wee one outside."

"Torrey Pines," he says with a grin. "It's like heaven on Earth--perfect weather, clean sand, beautiful water. I used to go there all the time, when I was younger; haven't been out there in years. If you ever find a door here that'll take you there, you should go."

"I'll 'member that, sir, sure we could find someone with a door to the beach."

"I'd offer, but back home it's a long drive to the beach even with my car. My door leads into the middle of nowhere in the desert. But I bet you somebody does have a beach--it's a shame they don't have permanent doors."

"Mine's always movin' 'bout, sir, but 'rhaps Kate'll know o'one. Somethin' to do afterwards."

"The one thing I can offer... is peace. On the other side of my door, nobody'll bother you. It's so far away from everything and everybody--I've spent a lot of time watching the stars out there, too. You can see all of them from there."

"Might think 'bout that, sir, thank ye."

"The offer's always there, you just let me know. My door's almost always there, too."

Life is good.

"Will 'member that, sir. Think might go see 'bout findin' 'er, thank ye 'gain. Get yer next drink on me tab."

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not_a_hologram - 2008-01-29 03:47 (UTC) - Expand

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