#jacob the taxi driver

[rxnefairs]

this happens once every few lifetimes…

[etheral-moon]

The ultimate FuckBoy movies

[direwombat]

Timeline stuff for katc is sooooo funny like. Joseph tells jacob that syb is in John's custody while she's actively being rescued. Jacob sends Shaw back to the rangers station while syb is in the middle of clearing the outpost and Shaw comes back to find his allies dead and syb unconscious on the ground inside the station and jacob (who watched all that happen on camera) is just like "sorry to do this to ya bud, but I need you to bring her back to the Vets center"

All of this to say that shaw is just the la roux siblings personal ambulance lbr

[girlactionfigure]

This weeks hero of the week are the Chabad Rabbis of Amsterdam. The heroism displayed by some special people in Amsterdam during the pogrom on Thursday night is coming to light. Multiple Chabad rabbis from across the city jumped into action, including, but not limited to, Rabbis and Rebetzins Camissar, Pinkovitch, and Jacobs.

“As victims and concerned family members called in for help, and with fears that local taxi drivers were assisting the attackers, Chabad set up a control center and arranged a network of 50 local Israeli taxi drivers from across the Netherlands; these drivers, out of the goodness of their hearts, helped anyone who needed to reach the airport, hospital or one of the local Chabad houses, where victims had access to food and safety.” - @the.israel.files

Each week, End Jew Hatred and 2024 New Voices come together to choose a hero of the week. Inspiring and empowering people are propelling us all forward as we fight the fight to end Jew-hatred!

End Jew Hatred

[cloverdaisies]

⋆⁺.CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ︶꒷꒦︶ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚

⋆⁺. ︶꒷꒦︶ ︶꒷꒦︶ ︶꒷꒦︶ ₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚

➸ ⋆⁺. [⛸️] description: the city was lonely, as they say home is where the heart is. as you return to see your childhood friends for the annual christmas get together, old faces resurface unhealed wounds that you wish you could rewind. ₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚

➸ ⋆⁺. member: juyeon x you

➸ ⋆⁺. genre: angst to fluff

➸ ⋆⁺. word count: 2k+

the moors were covered in a glistening blanket of the whitest snow, the sky overcast with a light grey hue whilst the trees lonely and desolate of leaves hung themselves over the landscape perfectly.

you were nervous, a slight shake in your hands as the cars heating blasted warm air into the passenger seat, driving to the cabin bar where your old friends had organised the yearly christmas get together.

you’d moved away to the city after the last christmas, leaving your small countryside village behind - unwilling to settle for a manual labor job and stay in the country forever. you prioritised your ambition and career over a humble life readily paved out for you.

however, admittedly you’d missed the village, the city was nothing in comparison, the sense of community you’d lost, the friends you’d left behind, life wasn’t the same without them.

or should you say… him.

“we’re here, ma’am.” the taxi driver that had drove you all these miles announced, you gave him a smile and your thanks before telling him to have a lovely christmas as he drove off into the distance of the high street, strung with christmas lights and foliage.

the small pub where you’d grew up was bustling with laughter and joy, the faint melody of “fairytale of new york” by the pogues leaking from the wooden doors.

“y/n!” you heard someone yell your name, a joyful juhaknyeon running out the doors of the pub with a cigarette settled above his ear like a ballpoint pen. he was wearing the flat cap you’d bought him as a joke last christmas, his pint of guinness spilling from the sides clumsily as he was so excited to see you.

“haknyeon!” you exclaimed, running to give him a hug and took in the scent of his familiar cologne, mixed with a strong scent of booze. “i’ve missed you so much!”

“you’ve missed us? we thought you’d forgotten all about us!” he laughed jokingly hitting you on the back, as he walked you into the bar where all your other friends were sat around a large booth towards the back.

you’d greeted everyone with a smile, reuniting with kevin and jacob asking you all about your city life and the things you’d gotten up to since you’d left. the bar was full of old regulars, the floors were carpeted in the same shade of red with gold accents highlighting the room.

“yeah, it’s been a pretty busy year for me.” you laughed, unable to focus on the conversation. you looked around the pub, checked the bar, but he was nowhere to be found.

“you’re looking for him, aren’t you?” hyunjae asked, sat next to you with his new wife chatting away to another one of the boys’ girlfriends eagerly.

“yeah.” you sighed, feeling let down that he hadn’t shown up, which considering how you’d left things last year you weren’t surprised.

“don’t get too down about it yet, he’s missed you, i’m sure he’ll make an appearance at some point.” hyunjae smiled with reassurance, taking a short sip of his pint before chipping into the conversation his wife was having.

“how’s the electrics company going?” you asked haknyeon, taking your mind off the entire thing as he smiled and began trailing off about all of his work dramas.

⋆⁺. ︶꒷꒦︶ ︶꒷꒦︶ ︶꒷꒦︶ ₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚

it’d been 3 hours of chatting, catching up and laughter, however he still hadn’t shown up. the afternoon was soon turning evening, despite your belief in your ability to conceal your emotions, everyone noticed your solemn undertones - understanding why you weren’t in the greatest mood, considering the events of last christmas.

⋆⁺. ︶꒷꒦︶ ︶꒷꒦︶ ︶꒷꒦︶ ₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚

🎄🕰️: 25TH OF DECEMBER: LAST YEAR

christmas day was coming to a close, you still hadn’t broke it to him yet, the love of your life, that you were leaving the village in the beginning of january.

the boy who’s name was juyeon did everything a boyfriend usually would for you, you were in love in such a way that words couldn’t describe. he was a bricklayer in the town, living his life humbly hoping to give you the best life he could.

on the evening of christmas day, you’d been sat watching christmas films with him sat in his arms guiltily revising the city job offer you’d received just 3 days prior.

“y/n?” the boy next to you hummed “i have to tell you something.”

you looked up at his deep brown eyes with guilt, his white sweater complimenting his gold wristwatch and necklace.

“i have to tell you something too.” you replied exhaling a deep breath, his expression looking at you with so much love you’d almost choked on your words.

“you go first.” his hand gently brushing your spine, running up to your shoulder as you gulped nervously.

“i’ve been offered a job in the city.” you concisely formed the sentence, breaking the news off from your guilt heavy conscience.

“what?- you’re leaving?” his expression changed to an unclear frown, his eyes confused and almost hurt with the sudden news. “what about us?”

“i don’t know juyeon, but it’s an offer i can’t refuse.” you tried to explain your decision and at heart he already knew it was the best decision for you.

“it’s okay. just know if you ever want to come back and live here. I’m here for you.” he sighed, giving you a tight hug, his eyes glancing down to his pockets.

little did you know, there was another offer you wouldn’t have refused lying in there next to his car keys. a small crushed velvet box with a diamond ring, one he could never gift to you - since you were leaving for good. the crumpled speech he’d revised would later be littered with tear drops, his life crumbling apart.

🎄🕰️BACK TO PRESENT DAY

⋆⁺. ︶꒷꒦︶ ︶꒷꒦︶ ︶꒷꒦︶ ₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚

you got up to go get another drink from the bar, ordering a beverage to settle the nerves that tangled like knots in your stomach. the feeling of emptiness opening like a dark void in your conscience.

the pub doors opened, a familiar tall figure in a black trench coat stepping inside, the scent of a fresh cigarette lingering in the air, immediately turning your head to the scent of old spice and home.

he’d made it, his jet black hair, beautiful brown eyes all stood before you as he wiped his boots on the welcome matt, his jacket catching flakes of fallen snow.

your heart either shattered, or put itself back together - you couldn’t tell which as it was such an unclear feeling of overwhelming nature you’d never felt before.

he locked eyes with you, just for a few seconds as if he considered saying hello or running back out the door. taking hesitant steps towards the bar where you were.

“it’s lovely to see you again.” juyeon smiled slightly, battling internalised emotions he’d tried to avoid. leaning over the bar and avoiding the contact of your eyes which looked up at his face brightly.

“same goes for you. how have you been?” the confidence you’d tried to assert on your voice leaving only above a whisper.

“i can’t say i’ve been great.” he chuckled in an almost bittersweet way, running his fingers through his neatly styled hair with a sigh.

“that’s not good, i’m sure things will be better for you next year, at least i hope.” you tried to think of a kind response, instead probably coming across as the most patronising piece of shit in the process.

“i hope so too.” he smiled, as you collected your drink and turned around to see every single pair of your friends eyes gawking at the situation.

“can you guys make yourselves any more obvious?” you laughed placing your drink on the table in embarrassment and sitting back down next to hyunjae.

juyeon soon came to sit beside you, the group greeting him briefly and apologising for his lateness. he had work that day, you didn’t know how you’d forgotten being so caught up in your selfish little world.

“how is work?” you asked nervously as conversations resumed around you, the tension between the two of you building intensely.

“i got promoted to site manager.” he smiled, as you congratulating him with a laugh knowing how much he’d wanted to get that position.

“how’s the city?” he scratched the back of his neck, a nervous habit of his you’d picked up after years of knowing him.

“to be honest? not great. i miss home, i don't really have anyone there." you took a sip of your drink, eyes remaining on the polished wooden table with regret.

“well like i said you’re always welcome to come back.” he grumbled, looking around to everyone else’s conversations at the table, his eyes wandering to the christmas tree in the corner - coated in a thick gold tinsel with baubles strung messily across the tree.

“SPEECH. SPEECH. SPEECH.” The boys began chanting all of a sudden, taunting Sangyeon who appeared to be a little more tipsy than the rest his ears tinting a light a pink as he took a sip of his lager.

“Okay. Okay.” He calmed down their excitement before standing up in front of the the large table with his drink in hand. “First of all, I’d like to thank you all for coming this year and I think it’s important to address everyone’s hard work this year. I would like to thank Haknyeon for his persistence to plan this, I know we only all see each other driving past on our jobs but it’s refreshing to see you all face to face. Y/n thank you for travelling so far to see us, although things are different since you’ve been here last. It’s lovely to have everyone together. To a good christmas.” He raised his pint in the air as the boys howled in cheer, taking a sip and sitting back down in his place at the table.

“Thanks, Sangyeon. That was great.” You looked at the man across the table with a genuine smile, his gaze glancing between you and Juyeon before he returned the smile with ruddy cheeks.

As you began catching up with Younghoon, he seemed to bring up how he’d recently done a job for your parents, reinstalling their bathroom. The sound of their names resurfacing the guilt for leaving them.

“You sound like you need to come home.” Younghoon stated as he spotted tears welling at your waterline, quickly moving your hand to dab them away. You felt a hand gently touch your leg, containing yourself from jolting backwards in shock, you discreetly looked down to find Juyeon’s hand gently caressing your leg - something he used to do a lot to calm you down in public if you felt a bit nervous.

“I probably do.” You giggled slightly, a nervous hiccup triggering a laugh of adoration from Juyeon.

“Do it. Come home, I need a copywriter for my company.” Haknyeon looked across the table genuinely, turning heads with the statement.

“Really?” You looked at your phone slightly, (25) missed calls from your boss glowing on the screen since he’d been trying to call you in.

“Of course.” He laughed jovially in reply, sliding his phone across the pub table to show you the post for a copywriter he’d listed on a job site. “The pay probably isn’t as much as you currently make, but it might mean you get to come home and when my company expands I’m sure that will change.”

You smiled at Haknyeon, considering the post in your head. Did you really want to come home? Would you be really losing that much money with the prices of living in the city?

“Honestly-” The bell for last drinks at the bar sounded, as the boys cheered it was time for home, the bar soon closing. Everyone got up to leave, saying their goodbyes with hugs and words of sentiment for each other.

“Well, until next year.” Juyeon laughed, bittersweetly walking you out to the the sheltered entrance where the cab that would soon drive you back to city was parked it’s engine growling, it’s lights brightly shining on to the cobbled high streets.

“I don’t think.. I want to leave.” You felt your eyes beginning to water again, the thought of going back to the loneliness of the city taunting you at the back of your mind.

“Then stay. There’s a job here for you-” Juyeon erratically told you, the cigarette he’d freshly lit falling to to his sides with his arms.

“It’s not that, Juyeon. I got such an amazing opportunity in the city-” You began to argue, thinking of how amazing the job offer was in the city, installed with the false hope of climbing up the ladder and becoming an important figure to a significant company.

“But you heart is here. You want home, you know you do. So don’t waste that opportunity to be here again. Don’t walk out on me again.” He begged you, a strand of his jet black hair falling in front of his face, his eyes sparkling down on you with diamonds of hope glistening in his irises.

“I love you. I still do.” He suddenly came out with the statement, stunning your speech, knowing at heart he wasn’t trying to sabotage your career he just wanted your happiness; he wanted you back.

The mistletoe hung above you ironically, snow beginning to fall lightly the temperature dropping, however the feeling of warmth and comfort keeping you cozy in the small entrance way to the pub. Juyeon looked up to observe the plant hanging above you, before leaning in to touch his lips to yours, sealing a kiss that asserted so much passion almost his final beg to get you back.

As you parted, his hand resting against your cheek, you quickly broke and began sprinting towards the cab looking back at him, he stared in shock and defeat as he saw you looking back with watery tears.

“I’m going back to get my stuff.” You yelled to him, ready to return to the city and bring your things back to the place you belonged. He dashed over to you in the snow, immediately dropping the burning cigarette in his hand to embrace you in the tightest hug he’d ever given you.

“Keep the bed warm for me in the morning.” You laughed, causing him to smile, a singular tear of vulnerability falling down his cheek as he looked down at you with amounts of love you’ve never felt before.

“I will. I’ll start putting the christmas tree up too, ready for you.” He joked back, the smile on his face shining as if he’d never smiled since you were last with him. You quickly jumped to give him a final kiss, a fire relighting in your stomach as if it was the best feeling in the world.

“See you soon.” He opened the cab door for you, closing it as you got in safely, not forgetting to give you a peck on the cheek before gently closing the door.

As the snow fell across the village and street lamps lit up the small high-street stores you grew up around, an onlooker smiled in his flat cap having watched the whole scene with his cigarette and guinness in hand. His plan to bring everything back together had worked and would be reveal it to anyone? Of course not. Haknyeon chuckled, drinking the last of his pint before walking to Juyeon, the two walking the high street home laughing and joking as if everything had never changed.

⋆⁺. ︶꒷꒦︶ ︶꒷꒦︶ ︶꒷꒦︶ ₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚

a/n: hi daisies! i’m yet to proofread this so cut me slack for any grammatical errors. this took me so long and i hope you love this little world as much as i do. merry christmas 🤍

[lilyletham]

A Friend on Thanksgiving

Just a small little story I didn't have fleshed out enough to write as a full blown fic. Sneaking it in right at the end of the holiday. Hope your Thanksgiving was a good one. <3

Pairing: Jacob Palmer(Crazy Stupid Love) x you

This isn't proofread I'm just blurting out my ideas as they come, keep that in mind!

You just finished hosting a big Thanksgiving get-together at your house, and the last remaining family members have left. It was a great time: food, music, wine, and good company.

It was late in the night, and you were happily finishing off the wine on your couch, snuggling into a fleece blanket and dressed in comfy night clothes, when you hear a car pull up outside your neighbor Jacob's house.

Curious, you glance out your window and see him getting out of what looks like a taxi. You never paid him much mind other than when he would obnoxiously stumble back to his house at ungodly hours, usually with a giggling, scantily-clad woman in tow. Sometimes you'd see him at the shared mailbox, hungover and wearing sunglasses, and he'd give you a respectful nod before slithering back into his house to recover from the previous night's antics.

This time was different, however. He got out of the taxi, paid the driver and walked to his door, his body swaying back and forth as he clumsily tried to stick in his key. He was alone tonight, and you wondered why. The thought crept up in your mind that perhaps he didn't have any family or friends to share the holiday with. It made your heart twist with sympathy. He may have been a bit of a playboy who didn't often respect noise levels, but he didn't deserve to spend Thanksgiving alone. You felt like you needed to remedy that.

So you slipped on some comfy shoes and walked over to his house across the street. In the window of the lavish building(which for some reason he didn't bother to close the blinds) you saw him sitting at his kitchen table, eating a bowl of cereal and reading the back of the box with a pen, probably doing the word puzzle. Your heart clenched. You took a deep breath and knocked on his door.

He answered the door after a minute, peeking his head around the corner. You apologized for knocking so late in the night, and then you reminded him that you were his neighbor from across the street. "Yeah, I know who you are. Why are you here?" He asked, looking slightly weary in his eyes. "I wanted to know if you would like to uh, come over for a plate of food? There's tons of leftovers and I don't have enough space in my fridge." You lied, you had plenty of room. You wanted him to have a proper Thanksgiving meal, not a bowl of cereal for dinner.

He looked slightly taken aback by your offer, and at first politely refused. You were having none of that, so you insisted. He finally agreed and told you he'd be over shortly. You smiled at went back to your house to warm up some of the leftover turkey and sides. You brought out another bottle of wine for good measure.

About ten minutes later he knocked on your door dressed in comfy sweatpants and a casual t-shirt, a far cry from his fashionable Romeo attire you're used to seeing him in. It was kinda…nice? You welcomed him to your cozy home which stood in start contrast to his cold and clinical bachelor pad. He sat down a little awkwardly at your kitchen table as you brought him a steaming plate of Thanksgiving dinner, filled to the brim with all the delicious homemade goodness: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, cranberry sauce and of course, homemade gravy.

His eyes went wide with almost childlike excitement. He took his first bite and groaned. "This is amazing, thank you so much…"

"It was no problem, really. Happy Thanksgiving Jacob." You replied, sipping your wine and smiling.

He put down his fork and looked away for a moment. Was he…crying? His shoulders started to shake and you looked at him with concern. "Are you okay?" You asked.

He quickly composed himself and wiped at the corner of his eye. "Yeah, no I just…I haven't had something like this in a very long time. My family doesn't really… do Thanksgiving you know? Not anymore anyway." You nodded in understanding, not needing him to elaborate. You just wanted him to enjoy the meal and the company of a friend on Thanksgiving.

You offered him some wine and the both of you fell into easy conversation at the table, laughing and sharing stories. He cleared three(!) plates and still had room left for pumpkin pie. At some point he helped you clean up the kitchen and you took the conversation(and wine) to the living room. By the time the night started to wind down it was nearly two in the morning.

You both said your goodbyes and just as you were going to shut the door he pulls you into a hug. "Thank you…so much. You have no idea how much this meant to me tonight." He said with his head buried in your shoulder. Your heart ached at how such a simple kindness could affect him so greatly. You wondered how lonely he really was. You told him he was welcome to stop by anytime for a meal.

From that point on, Jacob made the point to visit you at least once every week for a homemade meal. Sometimes he'd stop by and offer to help you cook, even though he often joked he could burn water. Something light and comfortable was developing between the two of you that was special, and with the holiday season in full swing, you wondered where it would take you next.

To be Continued!

[austin-in-taiwan]

August 7 - Tainan - > Taipei (Final Day) - Tea House, Final Dinner

Today was our last day in Taiwan before departing for home. We met at 9:30 AM on the bus to make our way back to Taipei. Since we had already used our high-speed rail tickets after the Typhoon, we took the 5-hour bus ride back up the west coast of Taiwan. Halfway, we stopped at a rest area to get lunch. Jacob, Eli, Jack and I had MOS Burger (a Japanese burger chain restaurant), and I got the rice bun chicken sandwich, which was okay. 

When we arrived in Taipei, we went to a tea house. The tea-making ceremony was interesting, as the servers had a meticulous process for serving the tea. The tea was bitter, and many people at my table didn't enjoy it much, but I didn't think it was too bad. I am not a tea drinker, so I have little experience with it. After the first batch made by the servers, we could brew the tea ourselves, so I enjoyed doing that a few times. 

After the tea house, we went to our final farewell dinner. It was an excellent local restaurant that served Taiwan cuisine. It was lazy Susan style, so we got to try many different dishes. I enjoyed my last Xiao long bao, shumai, and several other classic cuisines. We also gave Peter, our tour guide, a few gifts at dinner. We all signed his Florida Gators tour guide flag, signed a card, and made a collage of photos from the trip for him. Peter was a fantastic tour guide and an integral part of the amazing experience I had here in Taiwan, so I was super glad we could get him something nice before we left. Also, we signed a card for and took a picture with our bus driver, Terry!

Once we checked back into our hotel, a small group went out to get an extra bag for some of the souvenirs we bought. We took the metro for the last time to Ximen, where we had our first tour in Taiwan. I got a small duffel bag for cheap and filled it with tons of Chinese and Taiwanese snacks from a PX mart to bring home. I can't wait to have my family and friends at home try some exciting things I got to try while here.

Final Reflection

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when initially coming to Taiwan. Now that the trip is over, I am so glad I decided to go on this study abroad trip. I loved everything we did. The culture in Taiwan is fascinating, and its history is unlike any country I've been to. In Taiwan, you can experience the history of cultures from its previous occupancy of Japan, China, or even old European inhabitants. I specifically enjoyed going through temples and learning about Buddhism, Confucianism, and other celebrated religions, which are rarely seen in the U.S. One of my favorite experiences was touring the monastery in Kaohsiung and eating a silent lunch with the Buddhist monks. 

One thing that was amazing about UF's Taiwan program is the freedom and free time that we get to do our exploration of Taiwan's culture and impact. I got to take time to explore my interests and then do independent research on that topic. My first project on Taiwanese technological innovation was one of my favorite days on the trip. I got to lock in on my specific interests related to my major and aspirations. I then wrote my second independent excursion to a baseball game I went to. Researching and writing about it taught me how important it is to Taiwan and its culture. The importance of baseball is something that I learned because of the independent assignment; otherwise, it would've gone unseen during my trip. Overall, I got so much out of having the freedom to do my own projects instead of being limited starkly to an itinerary.

One of my aspirations for the trip was to get more comfortable with my Chinese. I definitely did. I got to push my limits when ordering food, bartering, asking for directions, talking to locals, etc. One of the trip's highlights was talking to the taxi driver from the airport when I landed in Taiwan. Although I got more comfortable during this trip, I would like to be much more conversational next time I visit a Mandarin-speaking country.  Unfortunately, after this trip, I no longer have room in my schedule to take more classes, and I have finished my minor in Chinese. However, this trip has inspired me to find ways to continue practicing and getting better. I won't give up on my Chinese studies despite no longer taking classes. 

Overall, I recommend this trip to any UF student, whether you have taken Chinese or not. Plenty of students on this trip didn't know Chinese at all, and we all had a great time learning while also having lots of fun. I became friends with everyone on the trip. We all came from different circles and groups at UF but became close by the end. The itinerary was a perfect mix of structure, free time, education, and fun. Yeh Laoshi and our tour guide Peter were informative and made this trip one I will remember for the rest of my life.

[gecko-with-a-greatsword]

people who watch secret sleepover society please help

I faintly remember two streams they did but I cannot find them again and I'm beginning to think I made them up. One was a game where you play as hitchhiker and travel around meeting interesting characters. I feel like there was a part where they were at a trailer park or something with like teens who were kicked out or something? The other one I think was more recent and you play as a taxi driver and you pick up people and talk to them and there's like dialogue choices? All I remember was like a young woman character talking about her horrible boyfriend and Jacob and Julia just being like yikes. If anyone else remembers these streams or can find the vods please let me know

EDIT: I found them the taxi game is in the second Ukraine itch.io bundle and the hitchhiker game is in Julia and Jacob Secure the perimeter in SECURITY BOOTH

[ladyorlandodream]

Wonderful Tonight

AO3 link

*I needed to get this story off my chest and out of my head. All because of a song. This is the first thing I write about Abbott Elementary and in particular about my favorite couple: work wives. Hope you like it.*

.........................

_It's time for National Teacher of the Year. Barbara is among the finalists. Her colleagues are with her, including Melissa. Especially Melissa._

.........................

I hear the keys turning nervously inside the lock, she rushes into my hotel room with her dress resting on her forearm, still covered by the protective laundry bag.

“They promised me it would be ready this morning, not that late. I'm so sorry, Barb. I'll be quick, I swear” she apologizes, mortified, as if the delay were hers.

I smile at her as I rummage inside the suitcase “Don't worry. It's not your fault. The bathroom is free. There is still enough time”

She grabs her makeup bag and, before slamming the door behind her she turns to me “How do you manage to stay so calm today? Your big night?”

“Because my best friend is with me”

She blushes, shaking her head: “Anyway, I'm sorry Gerald couldn't come”

“Me too” I lie “But, again, I am not alone. But if you stay on the threshold of that door much longer then we will be really late"

I hear the water from the shower running, I try to get into my dress. What I chose with her, or rather, what she chose for me. A long bodycon dress that ends in a mermaid gown. To show off my shoulders and collarbones, she claimed it had to be off-shoulder. All red “Because it is perfect for your beautiful skin color” she told me.

I hear the bathroom door open just a little, and a green eye peeps out of the crack "I am almost done!" she alerts me then gasps upon seeing me “My God, Barb. You are stunning!”

I iron the dress nervously with my hands: “Do you think? Isn't that a bit too much?"

“Hon, it's perfect for you, your curves, and tonight's event. You have to shine, more than anyone else"

It's early in the evening.

She's already wearing her dress, a black ball gown, halter strapped. The best shape to highlight her breasts.

She puts on her makeup and brushes her long red hair. She looks at her reflection in the mirror, through the door, not entirely convinced of her appearance.

And then she asks me: "Do I look alright?" as if my opinion was the most important thing.

And I say: "Yes, you look wonderful tonight"

Her reflection smiles at me "I don't want to make you look bad"

“You could never”

We take our respective handbags and we go to the party.

Throughout the taxi journey, we remain silent. We pay the driver and get off a few meters from the White House. Other beautifully dressed guests are getting out of the cars.

I swallow with my heart in my throat. She can somehow sense my anxiety.

She stands in front of me and places her hands on my shoulders.

“It doesn't matter how the evening goes because you, Barbara Howard, are My National Teacher of the Year, no” she corrects herself “of ALL YEARS” she concludes by giving me a hug.

I hold her tight, I wish I could tell her what it means to me to have her by my side, but the words stop in my throat.

I am only able to answer “Thank you, Melissa”

She then extends her arm to me and I intertwine mine with it as we walk toward the gate. A long red carpet makes its way to the main entrance of the White House.

Photographers and guests parade.

I feel like everyone turns to see this beautiful lady that's walking around with me.

I squeezed closer to her.

And then she asks me, "Do you feel alright?"

And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight"

I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes and the wonder of it all.

It's that…you just don't realize how much I love you…

For all these things, another life I'll have to wait. It would have been perfect if only God had wanted it.

Inside the building, we find our colleagues. Janine was already excited with a handkerchief in hand. Jacob also takes me by the arm. Gregory leads the way “I've already asked where our table is. We're not very far from the stage." Ava walks up to me, pushing Melissa away, and with the phone in hand she says, “Hey, y’all. I'm live in Washington with one of the National Teacher of the Year finalists. You heard me right! Miss Howard belongs to Abbott! MY school! Envious?"

“You don't own the school, Ava” Mel tries to intervene

Annoyed Ava pushes the phone away from our faces “Whatever…This will significantly increase my followers and the superintendent won't be able to kick me out. Ok, now I'm going to check out the competition” she flips her hair and looks around for the other finalists walking briskly.

We sit down at our table, Gregory and Jacob adjusting chairs for Janine, Melissa, and me.

The evening begins with music and continues with other awards and performances.

I try to eat, but every now and then agitation envelops me and I respond to it with a sip of white wine. She, who by now knows all my strengths and weaknesses, which she can read behind my smiles, squeezes my hand on the table comforting me. She doesn't need to talk. We don't need to talk to each other.

I watch the stage. I feel her gaze on me. I lean slightly towards her, and without looking at her, I continue to observe the show "Do I have something on my dress?"

"Absolutely no. You look wonderful and I am so proud of you” she replies with utmost naturalness and sincerity.

Janine starts to fidget “It's time. The last award”

“Oh my God, know that I will scream. If they call your name, I'll scream,” Jacob exclaims.

“This goes livestream” Ava turns the camera on her phone towards the presenters.

“And here we are at what perhaps, indeed certainly, is the most eagerly awaited award of the evening: Teacher of the Year. This year's five finalists are such exceptional and special people that it was really very difficult for the committee to choose the winner. As every year we look for a person who has:

The ability to inspire children from all backgrounds and abilities

The respect of colleagues, students, and parents

Activities in the community

The ability to fulfill the duties of the award”

Jacob softly says “Barbara, you are all of that and more”

“Thank you, sweetie”

The presenter continues "We remind you that in addition to the cash prize, the National Teacher of The Year spends a year away from his, her, their teaching duties to serve as a spokesman and advocate for the teaching profession"

A year away, I was so distracted by the evening that I forgot about that part. At those words, which somehow come as a death sentence, I turn to Melissa.

Her eyes are watery.

“Mel…”

“I know”

“For this latest award, I invite the First Lady to the stage and she will open the envelope with the winner's name on it”

We all get tense.

The First Lady climbs the few steps, thanks the presenter and the audience: “I'm very excited and I won't get lost in useless words. I just want to thank all the teachers and principals not only of the schools present here but of all the schools in our area for the immense work they are doing to build the future of the new generations. Very well…and the title for National Teacher of the Year goes to…” she nervously opens the envelope and smiles “Barbara Howard from Willard R. Abbott Elementary School of Philadelphia”

Jacob and Ava jump up screaming. Janine starts crying. Gregory immediately stands to help me up. I still haven't figured out what happened. I don't recognize the name that has just been enunciated, I don't see the winner getting up from the neighboring tables.

Melissa, in tears, takes my shoulders and lifts me up "Honey, you won!"

“What?”

“You won, love, you are the Teacher of the Year”

I look around, and everyone claps at me. Gregory takes my arm and approaches me on the staircase.

I go on stage, I'm one meter from the First Lady. She reaches out to shake my hand and then hugs me “Congrats, Miss Howard”. A valet gives me the coveted prize and shows me the microphone.

I explore around with my eyes, all those people in silence waiting for something from me, a word, a gesture. My heart is racing.

I look towards my table, and I focus on her who has her hands crossed on her chest, proud. I focus on her who smiles and nods as if giving me permission to speak.

“Thank you. I…thank you, so much. I can't believe it” I stare at the award “This is not mine, this award is for Abbott. There is teamwork behind this award. I have to dedicate it to you” I continue looking at my working family “For my colleagues, for my students, past, present, and future. For those who still believe that it is from education behind the desks that we will be able to create a better future. We are not just teachers, we are admin. We are social workers. We are therapists. We are second parents. Sometimes, we're even first"

Janine smiles behind the emotion, she sure remembers these words of mine.

“In particular, I have to thank who has been by my side, even through adversity, during many school battles and for most of my teaching career: Melissa Schemmenti. Please” my throat closes up, and a sob of sadness interrupts my speech “Don't give away my chair in the staff room to anyone while I'm away”

She wipes her eyes as I read her lips "I could never"

“And, finally, to my kids, my students: don't you ever, ever give up on you because I will NEVER give up on you”

The entire audience stands to applaud. The emotion is too strong for me to keep talking. "Thank you" I finish and get off the stage.

My colleagues compete to give me hugs and congratulations. I feel in a whirlwind of emotions “This is such a perfect day and I'm glad I am spending it with you, guys”

The evening continues with an after-party. Melissa holds my hand and I hold her. I'm afraid to let her go as if I were to leave for my year as a spokesman that same evening. Is she feeling the same way? Oh, God, maybe I shouldn't have won this award.

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head. The alcohol. We take a cab.

“Rest your head upon my shoulder, hon,” she tells me softly.

Her scent envelops me and without realizing it I fall asleep along the way.

She kisses my head to wake me up. It's so soulful.

We enter my room. She wants to help me to bed before going to her room.

I wish I could tell you that I've dreamed of this night, that now that you're here I want to hold you and touch you and taste you and make you want no one but me, but then, while she's about to pick her things I say: "My darling, you are wonderful tonight"

She stops and turns to me.

She comes over and looks me right in the eyes. She places her hands on my hips.

“Could I hold you close beside me?”

I smile at her “Could I hold you for all time?”

[rxnefairs]

And I wouldn’t I’d marry you marry me either. with paper rings.

[legends-of-time]

Thorn Bush (Doctor Who Story)

Chapter 49: Father’s Day

Masterlist

7th November 1987 AD/CE 

It's just an ordinary day for Kathy as she gazes outside the window of a taxi as it drives away from the airport and into South London. She's just been away in Italy again. She'd been before to Rome and Venice and had done some teaching there and decided to pick it up once more for a few years before returning to England. 

She continues to look out of the window, thinking of visiting Carlyle and Ashildr later, when the whole world starts to feel strange. The air around Kathy makes her feel sort of... itchy. She had been noticing the sensation since she'd left the airport. But it is slowly intensifying. Kathy doesn't like it but she doesn't know why, but it is almost like some internal instinct. 

She then hears a chittering noise that sounds horrible and frightening causing Kathy to tense further, gripping onto the door handle. 

"You alright, love?" The driver asks her, glancing at her through his mirror. 

"Do you hear that?" Kathy asks. 

"Hear wha'?" 

Kathy doesn't answer. The chittering is getting louder, almost as if it's right above her. Like something is watching her. Her eyes catch sight of the rave posters with smiley faces on them. One of them has 'Bad Wolf' written over it. Kathy turns her gaze up, seeing a materialising being of some kind. A Reaper. Its head is a sharp triangle shape with bright red eyes. There is some sort of long tail to it in the shape of a scythe at the end. Its shape keeps shifting, juddering, superimposed on itself like something out of Jacob's Ladder, shrieking its alien sound. The Reaper unfurled its large, leathery wings. It has two clawed hands around its chest and, as it hovers over her, it opens the claws wide for her to see in the centre of its chest there is a gaping mouth with rows of gleaming, sharp teeth. It gives an unsettling screech and swoops down to the taxi. 

"Wha' the f—" The driver cries in alarm. 

"Don't just sit there! Drive!" Kathy cries. The driver slams on the accelerator and they manage to avoid the Reaper. 

Kathy now realises what day it is. This is the day Rose Tyler saves her father. But at the same time, unleashes the Reapers, creatures whose job is to remove paradoxes and fix time, upon the world. Creatures who will kill anyone and everyone in their path until whatever is done wrong is fixed. And all because of the terrible choice Rose makes at an already vulnerable point due to two lots of the Doctor and Rose being there. 

Kathy wishes that maybe Pete could be saved and Rose would have the family she wants but something tells Kathy it wouldn't be possible even if Pete survives. It wouldn't be one big happy family. Jackie and Pete would constantly be fighting and their relationship strained through constant worriment over money and other factors of life. God knows what either of them would turn to cope plus the negative impact also this would have on Rose growing up in a broken home. At least being brought up by Jackie, even if it came with the pain of losing Pete, her mother's relationships and not high-paying jobs, Rose turned out as a good person and is making something of herself. If Pete survived, there's no guarantee that the Rose Tyler Kathy knows and loves would exist today and not be someone else entirely. And where will this all lead if Rose then never met the Doctor then Bad Wolf never exists. She can't let Rose save her father. No matter how much it pains Kathy to say or even think that. But this time his death won't be pointless and he won't be on his own that is a comfort at least. 

Kathy thinks of what she needs to do next. She needs to get to the church where Sarah Clark's wedding to Stuart Hoskins will be, knowing she'll find the Ninth Doctor and Rose there. Time will be going wrong now. Songs playing on the radio 20 years early, the TARDIS is empty and telephones will be emitting the words of Alexander Graham Bell that we're pokes to his assistant Thomas Watson during the first phone call. 

Just as she's about to ask the taxi driver to go to the church, she catches sight of a park up ahead that looks rather familiar. Mickey. Well, little Mickey. 

"Wait!" Kathy cries. 

"I'm not stopping!" The driver retorts. "Those bloody creatures are gonna get us!" 

"Just drop me off, okay?!" 

The driver reluctantly comes to a stop and Kathy jumps out. She sticks her head through the window before he can drive off again. 

"You go to St Christopher's, alright? And get inside." Kathy instructs. She knows it's pointless as the timelines should be fixed by the end of the day and everyone who's been taken by the Reapers will come back but she's got to try. 

"Why would I—" 

"Just get in there!" Kathy retorts harshly before running into the park where she knows Mickey will be playing. 

There stands a frightened Mickey, dressed for a wedding, by the swings, looking around for his friends who've vanished. 

"Hello, honey." Kathy greets softly, crouching down to the boy's height. Smiling to herself as she realises she sounds like River. "My name's Kathy." 

"My friends, my mum..." Mickey gasps fearfully. 

Her heart breaks for the little boy. She has only seen him from a distance one other time and this he probably won't even remember but she wants to look after him. 

"It'll be alright. We'll find them again. Okay?" Mickey nods. Kathy offers her hand. "Right, let's warn the others at the church shall we?" 

Mickey grasps her hand and the two of them run to the church, the chittering following them in the distance. 

——

Sarah Clarke, dressed in proper 1987 wedding regalia: big hair and shoulder pads with the extra ruffles, stands outside the church with her friends and bridesmaids Suzie and Bev. Jackie with the very 80s hairstyle with a pretty pink dress as the maid of honour for the wedding is a short distance away arguing with Pete while the baby carrier carrying baby Rose sits at their feet while Old Rose stands by Pete's car, staring at the couple in disbelief like her whole world has fallen apart. 

The bride and bridesmaids group looks at Kathy and Mickey oddly as they run past them. Kathy bundles the boy into the church before turning to find Rose looking at her with a relieved smile. 

"Kathy! The Doctor's a tight pain." Rose rolls her eyes. "He's being childish as ever, again but he'll get over it. I know he will." She looks at Kathy expectantly, as if she's expecting Kathy's future knowledge will back her up but Kathy ignores it, knowing how young Rose is and how she won't really understand the consequences of what she's done until much later. 

"Look, I don't have time but we need to get everyone inside, now," Kathy tells her. Rose frowns in confusion, about to ask her what she means when Kathy feels that mental snap in her mind and the familiar presence of the Doctor settling in her mind. It's faint out the pull is there. Kathy turns her head just in time to see the Doctor, a little distance away, running towards them. "Seriously, now." 

Just then, the Doctor manages a big bellow, "Rose!", gaining the blonde's attention. The girl turns with a big smile of relief but her smile vanishes when she appears to notice the urgent expressions on his face. "Get in the church!" The Doctor orders quickly, running even faster just as a Reaper materialises overhead. She stares and screams. 

The creature lets out another screeching cry as it swoops down towards Rose and Kathy. The latter quickly tackles the girl to the floor, out of the Reaper's reach, just as the creature passes over and flies away. 

"Get in the church!" The Doctor screams from beside them and rushes off to get the lingering people outside the church to go inside. 

Kathy lets out a mildly annoyed huff as she gets back up quickly from the ground while helping Rose up too. 

"Are you okay?" Kathy asks Rose immediately, seeing how Rose nods shakily and appears unharmed for the most part. 

"Yeah," Rose replies shakily. "What was that thing?" 

"A Reaper," Kathy explains quickly, seeing how more Reapers have appeared by the church. The Doctor is grabbing people, and shoving them towards the church, but people are running in all directions. The creatures kill the vicar and Sonny, the groom's father. Kathy's eyes go wide in horror at the sight. "Come on, quick! We've got to get inside." 

"Get in the church!" The Doctor yells out towards the other wedding guests, running off to chase them all into the church. 

The people, who had been frozen in fright at the sight of the gargoyle creature, scream and run inside as he shepherds them in. Kathy grabs Rose's hand, making sure the girl stays close beside her as they run into the old building. Once the last person makes it inside, a Reaper swoops after them just as the Doctor swiftly closes the heavy wooden doors to the entrance and bolts. There's a thud as it hits the doors. 

The Doctor leans on the door and turns to face the traumatised wedding party, surveying their sanctuary. Glancing around at the mass of people within the church, Kathy can see them all shivering, muttering to one another as all are scared of what is happening. There are babbles in a panic as they listen to the loud screeches of the Reapers outside. There are many all around the church, flying around and casting ominous shadows into the church around them, circling the building for a way in to kill more. There is no escape for any of them. 

Stuart, the groom is checking his father's phone. Pete's looking after Jackie and Baby Rose while Older Rose watches them. A strange shiver goes through her as she sees her Rose glance towards the baby. Her gut twists as her instincts warn her to be cautious. 

"They can't get in." The Doctor realises. "Old walls and doors. If they're from outside time... ok, the older something is, the stronger it is. What else?" 

"Making sure the building is secure?" Kathy prompts. 

The Doctor snaps his fingers in her direction with a grin. "Right. Check the other doors. Move!" The Doctor orders the group of frightened humans. Some scuttle off immediately, doing as they were instructed. Others, like Jackie, are hesitant in confusion as the Doctor rushes over to a nearby door to check it over. 

Kathy runs to the back, doing her own checkover of the back doorways. She double-checks them and the windows over, making certain all are locked as tightly as possibly. She wants to make certain no Reaper will be getting into the building any time soon. She hears the Doctor and Jackie having a small spat out in the centre of the church. Eventually, Jackie just leaves with a huff, storming off to do as the man instructed. As she walks back over to everyone else, Kathy watches as the groom, Stuart, tries to get the Doctor to use his dad's mobile to call the police. But she knows it'll be no use. Time is shifting around from the future to past. Everything has become corrupt. 

"The police can't help you now, no one can." Everyone in the room sort of pauses, looking at the Doctor as he addresses the room fully. "Nothing in this universe can harm those things. Time's been damaged and they've come to sterilise the wound." He walks over towards Rose as Kathy comes to a stop beside her, staring steadily at her. "By consuming everything inside." 

"I'm sorry." Rose apologises. "It's all my fault." 

The Doctor clenches his jaw as he looks away from her. 

"It's fine. You didn't know this would happen." Kathy replies, watching a shadow of a Reaper passing by a window. 

"No, I didn't," Rose says. She frowns some, thinking things over. "But you could've been there. You could've warned us. You never seem to be there." 

"Could I? Could I really?" Kathy retorts causing the companion to look down. "He's your dad and you wanted to save him. Nothing was going to stop you." Kathy knows Rose didn't mean to be hurtful but the words still stung. 

"Sorry. Knowing everything as always."Rose smiles at the woman. "It's creepy but I'm glad to see you again." 

"Glad to see you, too." Kathy smiles back. The Doctor grunts, seeming displeased with their causal behaviour. "What? Not even a hello?" She doesn't expect a hug, not yet. 

He huffs. "Sorry. Hi Kathy." His expression softens slightly towards her which is a nice change from the anger and remorse she was faced with last time with the Gelth. He walks around them, going off to see what they have in the church that might help them. Kathy and Rose watch him go into a back room. The girl glances over at Kathy, still looking guilty. 

—— 

At the back of the chair, the Doctor comes over by Kathy moments later, looking grave. "I saw the car." He murmurs quietly. "The same one that was supposed to kill Pete." 

"I know," Kathy whispers equally grave. "It's on a loop." 

"Yeah." He answers. They both glance up to the front of the church where Rose is. They can see how she stands leaning against a railing, staring up at a painted window with a sad expression. The Doctor shakes his head slightly. "There's one way to fix things." 

"I know," Kathy says quietly, her voice heavy in remorse. She stares away from the girl, hating the fact that there is nothing that can be done for Pete. His death is practically a fixed point in time. Nothing can be changed about it. Kathy sighs heavily. "She's going to be devastated." 

"I know, but you can't protect her from everything." The Doctor stares solemnly at Rose. "Like how it might not be your fault that you can't save everyone even with your pre-knowledge." 

Kathy looks at him questioningly. Something tells her this is more than the conversation they had back with the Gelth and he blamed her for Gwyneth's death. 

"I have a feeling this is about a conversation I haven't had yet but go on." She quips. 

"Well, let's this be a pre-apology then." The Doctor grimaces, likely thinking about what he's apologising for. "We tend to say things when tempers flare. Things we don't really mean." 

"True but some of us need to work on the temper." She teases, punching him lightly in the arm, grinning. She's not as close with this Doctor as she is with the others but she likes him and hates to think about how he's not around for long. 

"On the subject of tempers and apologies, there might be another way." The Doctor suggests to Kathy. "We could try something. At least give Rose the family she wants." 

Kathy chews her lip. "Would this really be better for her in the long run?" She prompts. Not wanting to say it. 

The Doctor frowns. "What do you mean?" 

"Pete and Jackie. They're at each other's throats constantly. Is that really a better future for Rose?" Kathy continues. 

"I have to try." He declares resolutely. 

"I know." Kathy smiles softly. 

He gives a light pat on Kathy's shoulder as he walks away to go on to keep checking the doors. 

Kathy continues to stand there at the back of the church for a moment, staring at Rose. She slowly makes her way over to the girl. Coming up beside Rose, Kathy leans against the railing with the girl and stares up at the painted glass. 

"You probably thought nothing would best that Dalek, hey?" Kathy tries to say conventionally as they watch the as it clings onto the outside of the church, investigating the large stained glass window before realising it can't get through and flies off. Kathy tries to hold back the shiver going through her body. 

Rose laughs wetly. "Yeah, that was..." she trails off, unable to have the words to explain it. "Are you—" 

Kathy looks over to the girl to see her staring at her with a strange expression, almost one of worry. Different from the look of worry she's been having since being in the church. 

"Am I what?" Rose stays silent. "Did something happen recently? I mean, other than usual." Kathy jokes. 

"Um, yeah, that Dalek adventure it was or will be – for you I mean – a lot..." 

Kathy blinks at the companion trying to work out what she means through the non-spoilery hints. She can't help but feel like something was different in the adventure than it was in the show. 

There's a slight noise and they both glance over to see Pete coming around from the back of the church. He looks over at Rose, looking at her curiously as though he is just beginning to realise something. Kathy knows that Pete is realising who Rose really is and it will be an opportunity to give them a nice moment to sit down and talk. Just to be able to enjoy what little time they have together. 

"Go tell him," Kathy tells Rose. 

The companion looks at her wide-eyed, glancing over her shoulder. "You sure? What about the Doctor?" 

"After everything, I think you're allowed to talk to your Dad properly." 

"Maybe, it's just..." Rose trails off looking anxious. 

"What? Not exactly the fairytale you dreamed of?" Kathy summarises. 

"Yeah." Rose mumbles, gazing off distantly. "I mean, from the way mum always told me it always seemed... wonderful. Like they were the happiest people in the whole world and completely in love with each other. There were never any disagreements or doubts. Just... love. But... seeing them fight like that. It was like a slap in the face." 

"Yeah, suppose it's like me with the show," Kathy responds. "That show of mine seemed to only show me what I wanted to see. Not really anything that went on behind the adventures. Particularly when certain people get grumpy." She glances in the direction of the Doctor who's chatting with Stuart and Sarah. 

Rose sniggers slightly though it's not as light-hearted as it would've been before. "He just gets mad 'cause he doesn't know everything." The girl says. "He'll get over it." 

"Mmm... anyway," Kathy nudges Rose's shoulder with hers and nods her head towards Pete. "Talk to him." She pats Rose's arm before leaving the daughter and father to talk. 

It's then that Kathy spots a familiar small little figure hiding in a corner of the church. He crouched around some curtains, peeking out every few seconds in fright. Then the Reapers would swoop by a window, casting a nasty shadow within the chapel. He would then duck around the curtains again, making sure the shadows would not come anywhere close to him. Kathy smiled lightly, walking over to the young Mickey Smith. 

"Hello again, honey," she said quietly, crouching down to make them somewhat eye level. 

Little Mickey peeks around the curtain with wide eyes. The poor boy looks frightened by everything, especially as one of the Reapers outside screeches and flies past the window. 

"Hello, Kathy." He mumbles. A Reaper screeches outside, making him jump from the startling noise. He quickly buries himself within the large curtain. 

Kathy laughs quietly. "You don't have to keep doing that." She tells him. "They're not going to get you." 

He peeks back around the curtain. "I know... but I'm scared," Mickey mumbles, looking embarrassed by his fear. 

Kathy smiles and nods. "And that's perfectly normal. In fact, if you weren't scared I'd say there was something wrong with you." 

He pouts, still seeming disgruntled by his fears. "But grown-ups aren't scared. So I don't need to be, too." 

"Now, who told you grown-ups don't get scared? We grown-ups get scared loads of times." 

"But... they never seem scared." He frowns heavily, looking confused. "You don't seem scared either." 

She smiles kindly at him. "Nope, I get scared loads of times. We all do. And don't let anyone tell you that it's a bad thing, either." 

"Still... I don't want to be scared." Mickey shifts around the curtains, looking nervous to be away from them. 

"Come here. I've told you I give great hugs." Kathy opens her arms and Mickey shuffles into them, clinging to her. 

Oh, Mickey... 

——

After handing over Younger Mickey to a startled Rose, Kathy finds herself with the Doctor once more. 

"Oh, I need to use the loo. Can anyone watch Rose for me?" Jackie is heard saying behind them. They look over, seeing the mom looking around for someone while she dances edgily on her feet, obviously really needing to go. 

"I can." Kathy offers, walking over and smiling kindly at the woman. She holds out her arms for the baby carrier, ready to watch over little Rose. 

Jackie seems hesitant at first, but when seeing everyone else is busy elsewhere, she sighs and hands the child over. "Thanks. Be back in a minute." The mom says before rushing off towards the back of the church. 

Kathy brings the baby carrier back over to where she and the Doctor had been sitting, holding the carrier in her lap as she smiles down at the baby. Little Rose blinks at her sleepily, appearing ready for a nap soon. 

"Ooh, aren't you cute?" Kathy says softly. "Hello, little Rose." The baby blinks at her before starting to smile slightly. She holds out a finger to the child. Baby Rose coos some, grabbing onto Kathy's finger and babbling away happily as she holds onto the digit. Kathy laughs. "Awww, aren't you just the cutest thing." 

"Very cute." The Doctor remarks, tickling the baby's cheek lightly. "Now Rose, you're not going to bring about the end of the world, are you?" He says to the babe, reaching over to tickle her. "Are you?" Little Rose blinks and stares at him in bewilderment. 

"But you are going to drive the Doctor mad in the future, aren't you?" Kathy speaks cheerfully to the child. Baby Rose turns her eyes to Kathy, starting to giggle and babble in merriment. Kathy chuckles at the Doctor's pout at the baby's response. "Good girl. You drive him bonkers." 

"Oi, don't get her started on a bad habit." The Doctor scolds Kathy lightly 

Both of them glance over their shoulders as they hear someone coming over to them. It is Rose slowly walking up towards them. 

The Doctor looks at her awkwardly. 

"Jackie gave her to us to look after. How times change." The Doctor explains when seeing the puzzled glance the girl gives the small baby. "Funny to think that in years to come she'll slap me for even suggesting you being around me." The Doctor grins as Rose laughs lightly. 

Kathy beams at Rose. "You are just the cutest baby ever." She tells the girl brightly. 

Rose laughs lightly, smiling at baby her. "I better be careful. I think I just imprinted myself on Mickey like a mother chicken." She comments, nodding her head over her shoulder towards the small little boy who is being held by one of the women in the room. 

"That you have." Kathy nods, smiling at baby Rose and waving her little hand. "You're going to be the best of mates with him, you are. Don't ever stop hugging him." Baby Rose coos more, some spit dribbling down her face. Older Rose goes to wipe the spit away but both the Doctor and Kathy grab her hand and push the arm away quickly. The Reapers outside screech loudly for a moment before the sounds die down again. 

"No. Don't touch the baby." The Doctor instructs Rose firmly. "You're both the same person, that's a paradox. And we don't want a paradox, not with those things outside. Anything new, any sort of time disturbance, makes them stronger. A paradox might let them in." 

"So, in other words, young you is off limits," Kathy says to Rose, patting the girl's arm. "No touching yourself." 

The Doctor gives her a disappointed look. "Really?" 

Kathy shrugs with a smirk. "I had to. It was right there!" 

Rose looks dejectedly at her young self. "Can't do anything right, can I?" She mumbles. 

"Since you ask – no." The Doctor retorts. Rose's eyes water as she tries to blink them away. 

Kathy gives him a sharp smack, making him wince. "Rude." She scolds, shaking her head in disapproval as he glances at her. She understands he still feels frustrated with the companion, but there is no reason to be so unreasonably rude. 

"No, he's right," Rose argues. She looks up guilty to the Doctor. "I'm sorry. I should have never done this. I should have listened to you. I was being stupid." 

"I know that." The Doctor pauses then, calmer, feeling guilty, he says, "All right, look. Sorry. I wasn't really going to leave you." 

"I know." 

"Between us three. I haven't got a plan. No idea. No way out." The Doctor tells her remorsefully. Kathy presses her lips together, not saying anything as she knows the two of them need to finish their making-up first. 

"You'll think of something," Rose says in encouragement to the Doctor, giving a small smile and nod. 

"The entire Earth's been sterilised. This, and other places like it, are all that's left of the human race." The Doctor explains bluntly. He glances up, watching a passing shadowy outline of a Reaper flying by a window. "We might hold out for a while, but nothing can stop those creatures. They'll get through in the end. The walls aren't that old. And there's nothing I can do to stop them. There used to be laws stopping this kind of thing from happening. My people would have stopped this. But they're all gone." He is sad again, staring away with a distant look. "And now I'm going the same way." 

Kathy reaches over and squeezes his hand, her hearts going out to him. She wishes she could give him words of comfort, but no words feel good enough. She can't tell him the truth. So she brushes her mind against his softly, wanting him to convey that she will be there for him. She watches as he stiffens for a moment before slowly relaxing. She feels his mind briefly connect with hers, allowing her to feel the light feather touch of his thoughts. It feels like a gloomy rain steadily falling around him. She stays there letting him feel the gentle rock of her mind. She feels him relax even more and sees the gentle blue of his eyes gaze at her again. 

"If I'd realised..." Rose says, interrupting their thoughts and making them look at the girl again. Kathy can see the gravity of everything and what she had caused finally settling in for the girl. Rose bites her lip, gazing at them as though pleading for them to forgive her. 

"Just... tell me you're sorry." The Doctor says, levelling his eyes and looking stern again. 

"I am. I'm sorry." She means it now, all the anger gone. 

He puts his hand on her face and breaks into the most wonderful smile, accepting that honest regret completely. "Okay." 

Rose is bowled over by that and she smiles back. The Doctor closes his eyes and takes her in his arms. Rose is very happy for a moment to be held. 

"Glad you two kids decided to play nice again." She teases them after they pull away from each other. She grins cheekily as they both pouted at her. "And you're wrong, Doctor. There's always a way out." Kathy states. "Just gotta check your pockets sometimes. Never know what you might find in them." The Doctor stares questionably at her, seeming lost to what she is hinting at. Kathy rolls her eyes. "Check your pocket, idiot. Inside pocket, left side. And be careful, it's hot." 

The Doctor frowns, digging through the pocket of which she indicated. He pulls back with a small yelp. His TARDIS comes flying out, It skitters across the floor and lands in a corner at their feet, glowing red hot. It glows brightly, shining light at their feet. The Doctor stares at it in amazement. 

"It's the TARDIS key!" He exclaims. He quickly pulls off his leather jacket, using its sleeve to pick up the key. He smiles at it as it glows in his hands. "It's telling me it's still connected to the TARDIS." 

"She always comes through in the end. She never lets you down." Kathy states brightly. 

The Doctor turns his gaze at her, frowning heavily. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" He asks, sounding rather cross. 

"She wasn't ready to come back until now," Kathy explains. "I had to wait until she was." 

The Doctor still seems irritated, but he lets it slide. He stands up then, gazing around the others in the room. "Think everyone will believe that I've got a spaceship stuck in the time-disruption atrophy of void space and the Time Vortex?" Kathy laughs lightly while Rose shakes her head in disbelief. 

"Maybe break it to them slowly." Kathy offers in support, patting the Doctor's arm a bit. 

——

The Doctor walks up to the front of the church, gathering everyone up. He is pacing up and down in front of the crowd, holding the key in a piece of cloth as he explains how he is going to save them. Kathy listens from where she sits just a couple of rows away. Surprisingly, as the Doctor explains everything to everyone, most of the people there just seem to accept it as it is and don't question it too much. So there are spaceships and time travel. Not the worst thing compared to what lay in wait for them outside the church. Though the look on Jackie's face as the Doctor talks about the details of the TARDIS and time is too priceless. Kathy can't help but giggle after seeing the woman's expression. Even during the moment of watching the Doctor gathers a large mobile phone battery from the groom and uses it to work on his key. 

Kathy knows this won't go anywhere but it can't hurt particularly as it pushes everything along. She tenses though as she thinks about the Doctor vanishing as she recalls what happened to her on Trenzalore when his timeline was being rewritten. She disappeared... 

She startles as she hears the Reapers continue to relentlessly pound on the church doors. That's when her ears perk as she hears the slow version of the TARDIS materialisation sound. She watches, along with the others, to where the Doctor is now standing holding the key, at the height where the TARDIS lock would be. The TARDIS interior, and then its exterior, start to form. He lets go and the key hangs there in mid-air, supported by the slowly materialising TARDIS. Around it, there appeared a fuzzy outline of something before slowly the outline grew into a glowing haze of a police box. 

The Doctor rushes around to the podium then, beaming away as he faces everyone, warning everyone not to touch the key. 

The TARDIS is taking her time materialising. It is a great struggle and will take a lot of energy for the old girl to be able to make it back into the world. Once she has, then the Doctor can begin to mend time. But Kathy knows it will not matter. Things will not turn out well either way. She glances back over her shoulder at a sombre-looking Pete. He's figured out that he had been the thing that Rose had changed today. He had meant to die. Kathy knows it must be an awful realisation, knowing that one is meant to be dead and gone to the universe. It must be the worst feeling to know that truth. She wishes there is something she could do for the father to make him feel better. It is the least she could do since nothing could be done to save him. 

But seeing bride and groom beaming away at each other, merrily giving each other a kiss in joy along with the others began muttering away, Kathy can't help but feel her spirits lift slightly at their hope. Kathy smiles as she watches the Doctor bounce away from the front of the church and heads back to where Rose and Pete sit with a 'come along' gesture in Kathy's direction. 

——

The Doctor, Kathy and Rose are sitting on chairs with a bottle of communion wine and three glasses, waiting, watching the TARDIS forming. Pete waits also, troubled, with a glass of his own. Jackie looks back, shooting Rose a withering look as she cradles the younger version. 

"When time gets sorted out..." Rose begins to say. 

The Doctor knows Pete can hear, so answers carefully. "Everyone will forget this happened." He explains. "And don't worry... thing you changed will stay... changed." 

"You mean I'll still be alive... though I'm meant to be dead." He speaks up gruffly, getting their attention. Glancing at him, Kathy can see his forlorn gaze as he stares off into the church. His lips are pressed into a thin line, clearly troubled after realising the truth. She stares at him sadly, feeling terrible that he had found out what had happened. "That's why I haven't done anything with my life." Pete grimaces as he chortles humourlessly at himself. "Why it didn't mean anything." 

"No, don't say that," Kathy tells him sternly. She reaches over, grabbing his hand. "You made Rose Tyler, the greatest friend and companion. A wonderful daughter. Don't say you haven't done anything when you've given the world the most wonderful gift." She smiles at him, patting his hand gently. 

Pete seems to consider this, nodding some and seeming to believe the same thing. "But what else?" He asks. He stares questionably at her. "Am I meant for anything else or is that it? Am I meant to be dead 'cause I've already done what I'm meant to do?" Kathy lets go of his hand as a grave expression appears on her face. She can't lie to him, but she can't tell him the truth either. So she remains silent. Pete nods, seeing the answer in her eyes. "I thought so. Now it's my fault all of this has happened." 

"This is my fault," Rose tells him, quickly grabbing onto the same hand Kathy had held. 

The expression on her face brings Pete up short. "No, love. I'm your Dad. It's my job for it to be my fault." 

"Her dad?" 

Kathy startles, eyes going wide as she looks up with everyone else and sees Jackie standing there in the aisle next to where they sit. Jesus Christ. How did she forget? 

Jackie stares at Pete, looking disgusted and revolted by Pete's words. Her mouth opens wide as she looks as though she wants to gag. But also a great pain sliced through her eyes. Hurt that Pete could have done something like that to her. She holds baby Rose tightly in her arms. Kathy can see almost every thought that is running through Jackie's mind, none of which are pretty. 

"How are you her dad?" Jackie asks Pete angrily. "How old were you, twelve? Oh, that's disgusting." 

Pete stands up, going over to Jackie, already trying to ease the woman from being hysterically angry. "Jacks, listen." He says quickly, already trying to break it to Jackie on the news about who Rose really is. The one sitting beside Kathy, that is. He points at the older Rose as he speaks, "This is Rose." 

"Rose? How sick is that?" Jackie bites out as her voice shakes from betrayal. "Did you give my daughter a secondhand name? How many are there? Do you call them all Rose?" Jackie is both on the verge of tears and screaming at the same time. 

"Oh, for God's sake, look!" Pete exclaims in frustration. The man acts so quickly then that Kathy doesn't register what he is doing until it is too late. He plucks baby Rose out of Jackie's arms and hurriedly pushes her into old Rose's arms. "It's the same Rose." 

Kathy gasps and shouts for him to stop just as he pushes the babe into Rose's arms. The Doctor shouts as well, rushing around her and towards Rose, yanking the baby away from the blonde girl. The Doctor yelling this because of an overwhelming fear to the paradox. Kathy screamed 'no' because, even though she knew it is meant to happen; she still does not want Pete to die. For Rose to lose her father, again. 

It is too late, however, as, at that moment, a Reaper suddenly appears within the church out of thin air. The people in the church begin to scream and panic, getting up from the benches they were sitting at and rushing to get away from the monster. The Reaper starts to descend on them, ready to kill. Kathy's mind races quickly. Upon instinct, she wants to hurriedly throw herself in front of the group and let the Reaper eat her. To save the Doctor from being taken then her... well not existing as she's found out happens upon the Doctor's death. Only one of them gone instead of both would be better for Rose. 

"Everyone get behind me!" The Doctor shouts, stepping forward to make certain that everyone rushing will be behind him. He holds out his arms wide, staring down at the creature that hovers in the air before them. 

The Reaper unfurls its leathery wings, screeching with its large mouth at them all so loudly that it reverberates off the walls of the church as it looks down at them with its piercing red eyes. 

"I'm the oldest thing in here!" The Doctor cries. 

Rose looks confused, glancing at Kathy. And in Rose's mind (and the Doctor's) that's not true but Kathy knows better. However, she knows she can't tell them about all the Doctor's forgotten lives. 

The Reaper makes a strange sound that reminds Kathy of a dolphin, though more guttural and twisted. The Reaper fixes on the Doctor as he steps closer to it. It is then that the creature finally acts, screeching and swooping down towards the Doctor. Kathy's eyes widened in horror. This can't be happening. 

"No!" She screams as she runs forward, leaping towards the Time Lord but the Reaper gets there first, enveloping him and eating him whole. Killing him in an instant. Everyone around her screams in terror as the Reaper swoops around the room to finish off more victims. Only Kathy remains in the same spot, glued to the floor. The Reaper envelops him and he's gone. 

She hears Rose screaming and crying next to her, and Pete trying to comfort her but time around her almost seems to stand still. Kathy stares blankly at where the Doctor had vanished. It's then that she feels a familiar searing pain go through her. She grimaces, clutching her stomach. Oh God, not yet. She needs to make sure Rose is okay. 

"This is all my fault." Rose cries, her voice breaking through. She holds out the cold TARDIS key to Kathy. "The key's cold. The Reaper made it go away. Kathy... what do we do?" 

Kathy grabs the key with a shaking hand. She holds it close to her chest as she tries to breathe through the pain. 

"No, no, no..." She mutters to herself. 

"It's okay, right? You can bring him back?" Rose brushes at Kathy's face, wiping away the pouring tears. Funny. Kathy had not noticed when she had begun to cry. 

"No, no, Rose. You don't understand, that's not the point." Kathy replies urgently. "Ah..." she gasps out as another wave of pain passes through her. How has her skull not split open? 

"Than what?!" Rose frantically asks. 

"I—" She can't tell Rose, not now. 

Rose sobs hugging her tightly. "We– we'll get him back, y–yeah? He... he can't be gone. Right?" 

Kathy grits her teeth as she tries to stop herself yelping in pain. She needs to keep her mind straight and focus on saving everyone around her. The Doctor is gone but she needs to push on. Push on until her last breath. To get him back. She struggles through her dying body. Fighting against her body dying. It keeps wanting to fade away. Wanting to just die off and be wiped from existence. But she needs to save Rose first. She forces her body up, internally pleading for her body to keep fighting until she's fixed today's events. It is a hard battle for her, but she manages. She stumbles down the aisle. Her feet slip around as they become numb. She can hardly feel her legs. Rose holds her up, looking concerned. 

"Pete... we need... Pete." Kathy struggles out in a breath. She grips onto Rose, pointing to where the father had gone off in the back. Rose nods, walking Kathy over to where her father had gone. 

Kathy looks down and sees her hand, the one on the other side to where Rose is almost looks translucent and is clearly crawling up her arm. Kathy hurriedly pushes it inside her jacket. 

——

They see him staring out a window, looking to the street just outside. He holds a glum gaze as he watches something closely. Kathy knows he is seeing the car repeating itself over and over again outside. The tool to his death. 

"Pete... I'm sorry." Kathy says when they come up to him. "I'm so, so sorry." She grips his arm, more tears leaking out as she stares at him. Feeling a mixture of the pain over the Doctor, her dying and the knowing of what Pete must do. Kathy can feel her hidden arm fading, the rest of her barely holding on but she needs to do this. 

"You and the Doctor both worked it out way back, didn't you?" He asks rhetorically. 

"Yes." Kathy breathes out hoarsely. 

"What? Worked what out?" Rose asks, looking between the two of them in confusion as to what exactly they are talking about. 

"It's the only way now. I'm so... sorry." Kathy whispers with a few more tears falling down her face as she stares solemnly at Pete. She then turns her gaze to Rose. "Neither one of us... wanted you to go through it again. We didn't want... want you to be sad. We wanted... to protect Pete." 

"What is it?" Rose questions, looking even more bewildered. Though, a hint of comprehension flashes through her eyes as it begins to slowly dawn on her. 

"The car that should've killed me, love. It's here." Pete says gently. He gives Kathy a forlorn and sad gaze. "It's the only way now, isn't it?" 

"Yes," Kathy whispers. He nods, patting her shoulder before walking out of the back room determinedly. Rose gasps, looking horrified and stricken. Kathy gives the girl a sad gaze. "Go to him." 

Once Rose is gone, sprinting off after her father, leaving to give him their last goodbyes. Kathy in a sharp shaky breath as she staggers with no one and nothing holding her up anymore. She slumps against the wall, curling up in a ball as the pain in her head becomes unbearable, tears streaming down her face. Her jaw aches as she desperately tries not to scream, to not give away what's happening and ruin Rose's last moments with her dad. 

She had done it. Kathy made sure that Pete would fix time. Just as he was meant to do. Die, not as a victim, but as a saviour. Not only to fix time but to save Rose's life and all the lives held on planet Earth. But also, in some ways, making certain that Rose's life would be a good one. 

And with that, Kathy fades from existence. 

——

There was immense pain followed by utter darkness and... nothingness. Then, the next moment, Kathy is blinking as sunlight from a painted window hits her face. She squints, blocking the sunlight from her face as she hurriedly glances around to see where she is. She realises she's still in the back room of the church where Pete and Rose had left her. Her body sags with relief. It worked. Everything had worked out. 

Kathy stands up sluggishly. She stumbles around some as she walks out from the back, looking around the church. Then she spots the Doctor's back at the open doors of the church, she lets out a gasp of relief at the sight of him. The confirmation that everything had worked out like it should. He is okay. She gives out a cry of joy and runs up to him, grabbing ahold of him and spinning him around to face her. He blinks in shock to see the tears in her eyes and on her face. Kathy beams at him before throwing her arms around him and hugging him. 

"You... you all right there, Kathy?" The Doctor asks, patting her back awkwardly. 

"You had died. You were dead." Kathy cries onto his shoulder. 

"Well... I'm alive now, aren't I." He states, sounding baffled by her actions. "You're just being silly. You knew that everything was going to turn out all right, so why worry about me dying?" 

She felt angry that he would just brush off something as simple as him dying. As well as the fact that he had been so foolish enough as to let himself die in the first place. But it would be hypocritical for her to become angry when she herself would have done the same thing but that doesn't stop her from whacking his arm. 

"Knowing and seeing are two different things. God, seeing you go like that was horrific." She retorts as the Doctor pouts rubbing his arm. They catch each other's then and can't help but let out slightly deletions sniggers. Then Kathy startles, another thought hitting her. "Pete!" 

——

As they step out into the daylight, there's a noticeable lack of screeching from the Reapers. Kathy can see Rose standing there by the doorway, eyes closed tightly as though not wishing to see anything around her. Not wishing to experience what may follow if she dare opens her eyes. Kathy walks over to the girl immediately, touching the girl gently on the shoulder. Rose opens her eyes, staring at Kathy gratefully and looking at the Doctor in shock briefly before looking relieved to see him again. 

"Go to him. Quick." The Doctor says, nodding towards the end of the street from the church. Around the corner of the way where a tan car has now stopped. The scene is similar to before in the original timeline but this time in a different location and instead of a hit and run, the young driver, Matt, is standing there looking down at the ground in horror. 

Rose bites her lip before nodding, seeming to gather her resolve as she takes off and runs down the street. The Doctor and Kathy cross the street, going towards where she can see the TARDIS is now parked on the pavement. She lets herself feel brief elation as the ship's presence enters her mind once again before she tears her gaze away to look towards the street. There she can see Rose, kneeling beside her father, holding up his head and gripping onto his hand. He lies dying beside her, giving his daughter a look of recognition for a moment and one last tentative smile before his eyes slip close and his chest slowly falls one last time. He's gone. 

Rose bows her head as she lies the man's head back down on the ground and lets go of his hand. The tears are evident on her face as she softly cries, a hand on her mouth as she shakes. The absolute full moment of grief, as never felt before. Pete had what no father could've ever wished for. To see the daughter who he will never get to watch grow up be there for him. Even though Kathy never wished for Rose to experience something so dreadful... at least the girl is able to be there for her father when he needs it most. That is something that can never be forgotten. 

Kathy feels her eyes grow hot as tears come forward and fall down her face. She tries holding it in but... watching the scene unfold, it makes Kathy think of the parents she's lost. Her mother in this life and her last along with her father in her last life and the one she's never known in this one. 

People are coming out of the church now, looking at the accident from a distance. They include Sonny and many of the others who were taken by the Reapers. Kathy sees Jackie coming out of the church, looking puzzled, just starting to question people about what's going on. Rose bends down to her Dad's body and kisses his forehead. She looks up to Kathy and the Doctor, her eyes wavering but holding herself steady as she walks over to them. Rose takes the Doctor's hand and links her other arm with Kathy. The three of them walk towards the TARDIS. 

Kathy glances back towards where Pete lies and sends a quick mental thank you to him. Pete Tyler died to save the world. No... better than that. He died to save his world. He died to save Jackie and Rose. Those most important to him out of all time and space. A true husband and a true father to the very end. 

——

1994 AD/CE 

Katherine Davis aged 1,464 stands in a cemetery in New York, gazing upon a headstone that reads: 

IN LOVING MEMORY RORY ARTHUR WILLIAMS AGED 82

AND HIS LOVING WIFE AMELIA WILLIAMS AGED 87

Kathy lets out a quiet sniffle as she places a bouquet of flowers in front of their grave. She feels an arm wrap around her and she looks up to see it's Carlyle. Vastra, River and Ashildr stand next to him. 

Rory had gone first then Amy had followed five years later. Kathy had guessed, based on their ages when they were sent back to 1938 and the years that they died that it would be some point around now but that doesn't make it any easier. 

Kathy looks solemnly at the Silurian, knowing that after Jenny died of old age, Vastra still mourns her wife and will do so for a few more decades yet. The pain is like a scar that aches. And there's River too, who's been able to spend more time with her parents in the more linear sense since they've been sent to the past and finished travelling with the Doctor. There's a chance she won't see them again. 

Kathy reaches over to River, taking her hand. Carlyle, Ashildr and Vastra walk away to leave them be. 

The two of them stand quietly together in front of the grave for a few moments before Kathy speaks, "The Doctor, their Doctor," she gestures to Amy and Rory's names, "called me yesterday." 

River lets out a wet chuckle. "What did that idiot want?" 

"Something about the Skelsdale Nuclear power station, England and the Mykuootni. A hyper-advanced race of insects who invade and swarm across planets." They laugh at the Doctor's ramblings before Kathy sobers. "I might've joined him, maybe invited you along, but he's still at that point in his timeline where he's still travelling with Amy and Rory. And I couldn't..." 

River pats her arm gently. "Neither could I. Not yet." 

"Not yet." 

Kathy looks to where the TARDIS will stand on the day they get sent back in nearly 20 years time. She can't help but smile slightly. She will see them again. And all of time and space will watch them run. 

——

A/N: Bit of a sad ending but I tried to make it a but uplifting at the end.

Next chapter we will officially be in the 21st century properly!

Please leave comments on how you're enjoying this story and what you think.

[gift-theft]

Movies watched in 2024, chronologically

Crash Julien Donkey-Boy Earth Mad Max Farewell, Etaoin Shrdlu Final Marks: The Art of the Carved Letter Anatomy of a Fall Songs for Earth & Folk Slow Shift Last Things Monster Kiki’s Delivery Service My Neighbor Totoro Fallen Leaves Infiltrators Foragers Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell Saltburn Memoria The Zone of Interest XCTRY Even the Wind Is Afraid The Match Factory Girl Lost in Translation Rope Pandora and the Flying Dutchman Desperate Living Mädchen in Uniform Havoc Brighton Beach Sudden Fear The Taste of Things Support the Girls The Bedroom Window Mildred Pierce Conversations in Vermont Suzanne, Suzanne The Piano Teacher Ken Jacobs - from Orchard Street to the Museum of Modern Art Rebels of the Neon God The Road to Palestine Jerusalem: The Flower of All Cities Off Frame AKA Revolution Until Victory Taxi Driver Bright Lights, Big City Autotrofia Hiroshima Mon Amour Tomorrow’s Promise Once I Loved a Woman Nazarbazi Mast-Del Once Upon a Time in the West Whispering Pines Zero, 1, 2, 5, 10 Repetitive Stress Injuries The Galactic Pot Healer Every Angle is an Angel Paper Moon Dune 2 Cries and Whispers film by Michał Libera sound projection by Eugeniusz Rudnik The Adjuster Maps to the Stars The Beast F for Fake Al Hal [Trances] Angel’s Egg Fertile Memory A Stone’s Throw Capital Just a Soul Responding arc (expanded cinema performance) Wolves Camera Test (King Cadbury) Entrance Wounds Us and the Night Polyester various shorts, incl. “Fan Fiction” As close as your voice can call In the Fishtank UNDR Familiar Phantoms Possessed **** How Many Nights Flower Names The Ocean View Resort Entire Days in the Trees Time of the Heathen Out 1 (parts 1, 2, 3, 4) Out 1 (parts 5, 6, 7, 8) Very Nice, Very Nice 21-87 Free Fall A Trip Down Memory Lane Fluxes India Song L’Amour Fou The Great White Way Wind Saute Ma Ville Twilight Zone: The Trade Ins Irma Vep Happy-Go-Lucky The Koumiko Mystery Tokyo Days An Owl Is an Owl Cat Listening to Music Pátio Paddington Paddington 2 Sans Soleil La Chimera The Telephone Book Carriage Trade Dark Passage In a Lonely Place Bread and Alley Evil Does Not Exist Dirty Like an Angel Double Indemnity Television and the World Scarface Water Lilies Atlantics The Third Body The Pudic Relation Between Machine and Plant Longlegs Bicycle Thieves Beau Travail Cigarettes and Coffee Traffic Police, Adjective The Big Sleep Shivers 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days The Conversation Angel Face Office Space Contempt Eastern Promises Cosmopolis [unfinished] History of Violence In Praise of Love Rock My Religion In Praise of Love Saving Private Ryan STOP We Imitate; We Break Up Beauty and the Beast The Stuart Hall Project Ciao Bella Baby Doll Cake and Steak Doppelganger London Suite (Getting Sucked In) Four Minute Cut Episode Aliens Lumumba Sarraounia Toute Une Nuit Remind me to Remember to Forget Via Dolorosa Mnemonics of Shape and Reason 15 Palestinian Minutes in Palestine Lydda Airport Libretto-o-o Specular Fiction Capital The Spy Who Loved Me View from a Body: Australian video program Twilight Zone: 16-mm Shrine Dahomey The Hitch-Hiker Detour Hard Times Oh, Canada Caught by the Tides Chinatown Film as Curatorial Tool: CCA Films Voyage of Jeanette A Coin from Thin Air The Cruise Meteors 29 Palms The Watchman Afire Anora Mirror Philadelphia Story The Sacrifice The Postman Always Rings Twice Pickpocket A Man Escaped Karishika Wild at Heart Farocki: Against War program The Maltese Falcon World for Ransom Slightly Scarlet Cry of the Hunted Cry Vengeance Key Largo Lethal Weapon In girum imus nocte et consumimur igni Showgirls Can Dialectics Break Bricks? Critique of Separation Stop for Bud So Ein Ding Muss Ich Auch Haben Group Cinéthique films Blue Velvet A Traveler’s Needs Out of the Blue Transparencies, Animali Criminali, Images d’Orient The Marshal’s Two Executions Lethal Weapon 2 Bona Killing of a Chinese Bookie All We Imagine as Light Suspicion A Short Film About Killing In Our Day

[dzzthink]

Movie soundtracks

I think movie soundtracks can be a greatly overlooked genre of music because it takes an immense amount of creativity and effort to compose the right melody to complement an emotional scene and even elevate the moment for the audience without the aid of any superfluous electronic synthesisers or even the need for lyrics but focusing solely on the purity of orchestral music. It is worth taking the time to watch a movie and listen to the score, and realizing how these tracks work within the context of the movie to create a more heightened cinematic experience, or even romanticize it further and imagine how it can be played out in sync with your own life.

Boy and the Heron (Joe Hisaishi) - If you like Ghibli movies, Hisaishi's scores never disappoint, but I’m going to look past the obvious choice of Spirited Away, to focus on The Boy and the Heron score, which really delivers many powerful notes that resonated with me when I was listening to the soundtrack by itself, conjuring a nostalgic and fantastical feeling of a boy about to mature and take action on his decisions, as well as bringing in elements of loss, courage, and finality. Check out these tracks: Ask me why (Mahito’s Commitment); The Great Collapse; The Last Smile; Feather Fletching; Farewell

Drive my car (Eiko Ishibashi) - The piano songs complement the road trip aspect of the movie, as we take a journey across the lives of a theatre director and his driver, as they ponder their experiences with grief and guilt. This brooding and serene collection of songs transports you through the artistry and philosophy behind the story, which makes this an extremely well-crafted and powerful album that meditates on the theme of finding purpose and consolation. Check out these tracks: Drive my car (Kafuku); Drive my car; Drive my car (Misaki); Drive my car (The most important thing is to work); We'll live through the long, long days, and through the long nights (SAAB 900)

The Brutalist (Daniel Blumberg) – I was quite impressed with the soundtrack just based on watching the trailer. The opening track is an immersive opening into the world of Laszlo following his immigrant journey through the emerging metropolis in America. Check out these tracks: Overture (Ship); Overture (Laszlo); Monologue; Bath; Stairs

Taxi driver (Bernard Herrmann) – Somehow jazz music works well with a story about a misanthropic man’s downward spiral through depravity and loneliness. Although many of these tracks follow the same tune, the sinister and chaotic nature of these tracks complements the soulful and harmonic saxophone sections. Check out these tracks: Main Title (From “Taxi driver”); Diary of a Taxi Driver; Sport and Iris; Betsy In a White Dress

Finding Nemo (Thomas Newman) – Newman is no doubt eternally famous for American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Shawshank Redemption, but it's his work on the Pixar classic that brings back so many sentimental childhood memories. Unfortunately, many of these tracks are only a minute long but they still carry immense depth and emotion. Check out these tracks: Nemo Egg (Main Title); Wow; First Day; Field Trip

Other great tracks

The Name of Life from Spirited Away (Joe Hisaishi) – one of Hisaishi’s masterpieces

In Motion from The Social Network (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross) – a great track for the entrepreneurial spirit

Song on the Beach from Her (Arcade Fire with Owen Pallett) – peaceful and meditative

Jacob and the Stone from Minari (Emile Mosseri) – became quite a meme on the internet

aruarian dance from Samurai Champloo (Nujabes) – became even more famous outside of the anime it was featured in

Overture from Hero (Tan Dun) – along with Tan Dun’s work on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, this is an exceptional piece of art

One Summer Day from Spirited Away (Joe Hisaishi) – very Ghibli

Sunshine (Adagio in D Minor) from Sunshine (John Murphy) – filled with adrenaline and suspense

Epiphany from Soul (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross) – quite a sad piece but still another great addition in the great body of Pixar music that has come out recently

Misato from Neon Genesis Evangelion (Shiro Sagisu) – rather famous anime song that has been used in other media

The Winner Is from Little Miss Sunshine (DeVotchka, Mychael Danna) - bittersweet

There are many other great scores (sorry to any Willams [Jaws, Schindler's List] or Zimmer [Inception, The Thin Red Line] fans) but for the sake of brevity these won't be mentioned as it is better to focus on some scores that might not have gotten as many listens.

[yetisidelblog]

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