The Truth about Broom - RP with captain_flyboy<user site="live

[open_flame]

I stare up at the building I called my home for the past 2 decades, my stomach feeling like a rock. I glance over at Jack "I don't know if we should do this. I don't think Hellboy wants to see me...after everything."

I broke his heart. I walked out on everyone and everything, my whole life. I ran away to New York. A chance meeting with Captain Jack Harkness changed my life forever. Truthfully, I was beginning to think that nothing was chance anymore. Jack knew Prof. Trevor Broom more than 60 years ago. They worked together in WWII. He was there the day Hellboy came though that portal. Broom was like a father to me since I was 12 years old, and he called Hellboy his son.

Broom was murdered by Kroenen in cold blood, under the orders of Grigori Rasputin just a few short months ago. I had no idea Jack was at the funeral. I didn't even know he knew Broom until several days ago. What was even more shocking was the fact that Broom had terminal cancer. He had told Jack just a week before he was murdered. He never told anyone at BRPD that I knew of.

I lead the way on that familiar walk to Hellboy's room, and glance at John Myers as he opens the vault like door. He's staring at my like I'm walking into a death sentence. "He's not the same since you left, Liz." Myers warns me. "None of us are." I don't meet his eyes. I can't.

I look over at Jack as the door to Hellboy's room creaks open. I have such a bad feeling about this.

Comments

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I flash the young agent a bright smile as I pass him. Cute kid kind of sad to see him working down here watching after Hellboy, but there isn't a Torchwood to seduce him too, so I guess he's stuck.

I turn my attention to Liz, I want to hold her hand, but based on what the kid just said that would be a very bad, bad idea. I don't even know if Hellboy remembers me anyway. Best not to piss him off.

[righthanddoom.livejournal.com]

I don't turn when I hear the door open. It's time for lunch, and the Boy Scout is probably just bringing me food. He's been jumpier than usual since Liz left. Won't tell me why, either. Somethings off with that guy, but what is it.

Screw 'em. I think as I hear the footsteps coming my way.

"Just leave it and go, Myers. I ain't in the mood for small talk." I keep my back turned. I really am in no mood for company. Haven't been for a while. Might not ever be.

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

His rooms the same; messy, cramped and full of cats. I step over a pile of trash and glance back at Jack. I'm so thankful he came with me, I can't do this alone. I tried. I drove part way there, and got too afraid and turned right back around, a few times even.

"Is it lunch time already, Red?" I try not to sound too nervous as I attempt a joke. I haven't seen him since that night I left. He yelled at me, I can remember it plan as day. It was the first time in my entire life Red had ever yelled at me, and I still couldn't shake that feeling that I deserved every word of of it.

"Red, I have to talk to you about Prof. Broom." Best not to tip toe around, might as well jump right in. I exhale sharply as Hellboy turns to face me. "This is Jack, by the way. Captain Jack Harkness, Hellboy. Hellboy, Jack." I nod to each of them.

Yeah, very bad feeling about all of this.

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I smile and step the room after Liz trying to avoid as much of the trash as I can. Hellboy makes me feel bloody tiny considering the last time I saw him he was a tiny red thing, trying to steal chocolate bars out my pockets with his tail.

"Nice to see you again Hellboy," I said as a few of the cats in the room twine around my ankles. That surprises me because normally animals sense what I am and it makes them nervous.

"I doubt you remember though," I add stepping back a bit, "it's been a while." I keep an eye on Liz, ready to step in if things get tense.

[righthanddoom.livejournal.com]

"Liz?" I try not to smile when I see her. I miss her, almost more than I miss Father. That's the wrong thing to feel, but it is what it is. Can't change it anymore than I can change the way I look. Wishing won't do a damn thing for it.

"Do I know you?" I look at this Jack guy. He seems to know me, which is strange. Nobody knows me. Manning makes sure of that. Not that I don't make it hard for him, just to spite the bastard. The cats don't mind Jack, so he can't be all bad. Mittens and the kids especially and they are very picky. "Jack, huh? Why're you here?"

I look back to Liz. "What about Father?" She looks so sad. What could possibly make Father's death any worse? I got my vengeance in Russia, but it didn't make me feel much better.

[righthanddoom.livejournal.com]

Before I can say anything, Liz is rushing out of my room. I should say something to her about that cleaning my room comment, but I'm more focused on Jack. By the time I think of what to say, she's already gone.

Where the hell is she going, anyway?

"So that job of hers much pay for shit if she has to take the bus." I snarl Jack a bit when he speaks finally, ignoring the fact that they seem to be good friends now. How can she be friends with a guy like that? He's too damn pretty, and what the hell is up with that coat? Even I know a little but about fashion. He looks like he's still in the war. "So what, you see a pretty girl at the bus stop and you tell her your life story? That's how you know Liz?" I pause and light a cigar. I hate this shit. I hate new people so much "Not very good at being...discreet are you, Captain...Sir."

What the hell is up with this guy and Liz?

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

I practically run to Tom Manning's office, preying he'll do me this favor. I know he's got no reason to, but I don't know of any other way. Thank God he's just walking out the door when I get there, I hate being in his office.

"Manning! I need into Broom's study, now!" I beg.

"And Hello to you too, Elizabeth. I'm doing fine, Thank you so much for asking." He frowns back at me, disapprovingly. Guess he's still sore about being left in that mausoleum in Russia.

I roll my eyes at him. "Hello, Dr. Manning, how are you doing?" I don't have time to play this game. Jack gets a bit too chatty when he's nervous, and he might say something to Red that might get him killed. Good thing he can't actually die.

"I'd be better if you'd give me a little bit more notice before you come visit you red Ape friend, Miss Sherman." Manning raises an eyebrow when he said 'Miss'. Asshole. He's so glad I'm not an agent anymore. " Not to mention a bit more background information on guests; who is this 'Captain Harkness', anyway?" He finishes with a curious tone.

"He's a friend....Broom's friend. We need to talk to Hellboy about Broom." I state simply.

Manning shrugs, getting the hint I wasn't going to tell him anymore. "I see no harm in you looking through Trevor's old things. We closed that case before you left. Hellboy wants his study kept the way it was. I could have that study, you know. I'm in charge now." He unlocks and pulls open the door to Broom's study for me.

"Yeah, I know you're in charge." I huff back at him. Just another reason for me to leave. I can't stand that pompous jerk. "Thank you, Dr. Manning." I nod, then turn and dive into searching Broom's study for the photo albums. I know they're here, I helped him put them together. I hope there are some pictures of Jack and Hellboy; he had pictures of everything. He said there was a solider there who took more pictures than I did. I didn't believe him until I saw the stack of boxes. It took me years to organize them all. It was a great distraction, kept me calm when things got hard.

"Come on, where are they?" I let out a frustrated sigh. I know they're in here, but where?

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I stroke the cat in my arms absentmindedly as I think of the right words to say. "I don't know why she was at the bus stop that day," I finally say, "I was just sitting there people watching and boom she sits down next to me and asks for a light. So I gave her one and we started talking."

I smile at the memory. "No matter what I did or said, Liz didn't walk away from me. She made me talk more about myself in a week then I've done in six months. She even pushed me into getting a job where she works."

"She just got promoted to full agent a few days ago. Had I met her in Cardiff I would have seduced her to my team, she's that good."

[righthanddoom.livejournal.com]

I let out a snort of laughter, imagining Liz following Jack around the streets of New York like she used to follow me around here. She was always poking, prodding, pushing until I talked about whatever was bothering me. I thought I was the only one in the whole world she did that to. She never knew when to quit either. There were so many times I wanted to tell her to fuck off and mind her own business, but I never did. How could I? It's was Liz.

"And just what did you do in Cardiff that would require you to...seduce her onto your team?" I don't like his choice of words, not a bit. I'm not blind, I can see the way she keeps looking at him. The same way I...used to look at her. The fact that this guy was Father's friend makes it even worse.

If Father was still alive he'd probably throw Liz right into this Jack guy's arms without a second thought. He's better than me, don't need to be a psychic to see that.

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

I let out a frustrated whimper when Jack let go of me. "I don't know what I can say to him, Jack. I really don't."

Care about him? I do care about him; he was my best friend in the whole world. He used to let me watch stupid movies in his room, save pancakes for me when I missed breakfast because I slept too late. He rescued me when I was in danger I don't know how many times. He listened while I cried, when I was angry, when I was scared. He helped me learn some control of my fire. He made me laugh, he always knew how to make me laugh. I really do miss him.

"Okay, I guess, I'll just tell him that." I nod gently and step away from Jack. "Maybe you should wait outside?"I turn and smile at him. "Don't get into any trouble without me, and watch out for Manning. He's a total asshole." I pop up on my tip toes and give him a kiss on the cheek, then walk carefully to the back of Red's room.

What the hell am I supposed to say to make this better?

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I smile at Liz again and I'm gone with a swish of my coat after a good flirt with Hellboy's handler Meyers I head to the area I'm really interested in, Trevor's study. It's just like the man himself, overstuffed chair by the fire, books on every surface and of course a feeling of time having stopped.

I sigh and start poking around, mostly I'm just curious what my friend picked up over the years, but also I'm trying to distract myself from what might be going on in Hellboy's room right now.

[righthanddoom.livejournal.com]

“You gonna say something or just stand there and stare at me, kid?” I shouldn’t be surprised she’s up in flames when I turn to face her.

“Watch the albums. They don’t make those anymore. Hate to have you ruin them.”

If she's here to twist the knife she just stabbed in my heart a little more, I'll have to scream at her. I hate screaming at her, but sometime she just can't figure out when to leave people alone. Especially if she cares about them.

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

“Red, I don’t know what I can say.” When I open my eyes I’m in flames. I step closer to him.

“I didn’t do this on purpose, you know that right? The last thing in the world I want is to… lose you.”

I put my flaming hand on his right hand, the stone one. I don't want to burn him. “You’re my best friend in the whole world, remember?”

[righthanddoom.livejournal.com]

I smile at her, even though it hurts to think about her with someone else. "Liz, as long as you're happy, I'll be happy." I hate it when she cries. I always feel like it's my fault. Probably because it usually is.

"If he breaks your heart I'll have to kill him, though." I'm not kidding. He hurts her, I will end him without a second thought.

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

"Thank you." I let him go and wipe my eyes. "I'm sorry I came here and sprung all this on you. I should have called but I was so afraid you'd be upset."

I raise an eyebrow at him. "Jack's...immortal. You can't kill him, Red." I'll have to be very careful to not mention to Red if Jack ever does anything to upset me.

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I'm still shaking as I grab the packet of letters and say my goodbyes to Abe. I make a mental note to return with Liz at some point to make sure Abe is alright. My memories are a lot to take in for even the most experienced telepath.

I reenter Hellboy's room. "My ears are burning someone must have said my name."

[righthanddoom.livejournal.com]

"Forget about it, Kid." I grin at her. "I'll go teach some newbie how we do things around here in the training room and be just fine." I can hear a noise out in the front of my room. Damn cats must be into something again. I give her a little push then follow behind her.

"Okay, I won't kill him. But, if he hurts you, I'll have to kick his ass really, really bad." I laugh and look up to see Jack standing in my room.

Crap.

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

"Bye, Red." I really do think it's time we leave. Manning was already pissed I didn't clear bringing Jack with him, can't imagine he's thrilled I didn't lock Brooms study back up, or that Jack went in there. If he even knows Jack went in there. Manning really has no idea what goes on around here, It's almost sad.

I link my arm through Jacks and pull him out of Red's room. "That was not as horrible as I expected it to be." I grin up at him as we step out into the hallway. "No one punched anybody, and I only went up in flames once." I wince, maybe I shouldn't have told Jack that I did that.

I lead Jack down the hall to the exit, stopping a minute at my old room, concrete lined in asbestos with a slab for a bed. It wasn't much, but it was mine. Broom had it build just for me.

We're almost to the lift to the lobby when I hear the last voice I want to.

"Miss Sherman, are you going to be dropping by with next-to-no-notice again?" Manning's voice is dripping with sarcasm. "Also, should we be expecting more guests, or is this guy just passing thorough?" He steps in front of Jack and me, blocking our way to the lift.

"Manning, I will give you more notice next time, I promise. It was just a..." I begin as he cut me off.

"You seem to think that things are the same around here now that you're gone. You come waltzing in here, and want to look in Trevor's old office, which should be my office, have I mentioned that?" Manning is a self serving as ever, I think as he drones on. "The both of you." Manning shots Jack a disapproving look and looks down at a clip board he's holding, no doubt with the little bit of information I told Myers about Jack written on it. "Captain...Harkness, is it?" He raises an eyebrow at Jack. "Funny thing, I had the boys look you up when Liz mentioned you were...tagging along." He shakes his head. "And there is almost NOTHING about you in our system. Yet Elizabeth here tells me you were Broom's good friend."

He smirks and taps Jack's chest with the clipboard. "A bit odd that none of us have ever heard of you before today, isn't it?"

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

Oh boy this guy is just as bad as Gwen was when I first met her. The problem was Manning was half as pretty and twice as annoying as Gwen was. "Oh I can explain that," I say my charming grin right in place, "Trevor and I lost touch a few years back and I was working freelace for so long I didn't have a forwarding address."

I chuckle and shrug. "You can't keep track of everyone Broom knew of course, hence me not being in your system, yes."

Cutting Liz off was bad enough but his constant tapping of the clipboard on my chest is a power play and one I don't particularly like. This is clearly a mental pissing contest and one I don't want to play.

"You know the old sayimg, keep your friends close and your enemies closer, Broom was all about that."

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

I can't help but feel very proud of Jack for dealing with all the shit everyone has been throwing at him today.

"Manning, come on. We just came by to see Red. It's no big deal." I feel like I'm pleading for his mercy. Glad Red's not around to see this. I just want to get out of here without any more drama. Jack's laying the charm on thick. Too bad that type of thing only makes Manning worse.

"I am in charge here. There is not a thing that goes unnoticed. Nothing!" He turns his eyes back to Jack. "What did you take from Trevor's office?" He asks. "That office is BPRD property, as is everything in it."

Manning has no soul. I'm sure of it. He sold it to the devil to get this job. Maybe that's why he hates Red so much.

"You are aware that stealing from a government agency is.." Manning stops and chuckles in that condescending way he does. "It's more trouble than someone who works 'freelance' can afford to get into, if you take my meaning."

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I snort I can't help it. This guy notices everything, hell he didn't know I'd been in Trevor's office until someone told him and Liz came dashing into his office for the key. I cross my arms over my chest, a clear 'Don't push it' look on my face.

"I was collecting a bundle of letters Trevor left to me," I say calmly all charm gone. I reach into my coat pocket and hand him the most recent letter I'd found with the bundle.

"I'll let Trevor himself explain it, if you want to see the letters Hellboy has them, I thought it would help him understand the relationship between his father and myself."

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

"It's different this time." I say softly. I'm not drugged up on Lithium or Thorazine in a psychiatric hospital.

"Thank you, for helping me." I nod and purse my lips a bit. "I don't think I could do this without you." I add softly "Or Dana or Gabriel or Sylar." I wince a bit, I shouldn't have said that last part. "Mostly you, though. You have your work cut out for you if you want to 'fix' me though, Jack."

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

"Hey, hey lets not get ahead of ourselves here," I say, "lets just focus on getting home alright?"

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

"Sure. Home." I say nervously. "Need to take a plane...ride...home." I hate flying. Good things it's a short trip. I'm feeling more tired than I expected, too much excitement back at BPRD.

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I smile at her. "Get some rest Liz," I say," I'll wake you up when we get to the airport."