open_flame: (Sullen)
Liz Sherman ([personal profile] open_flame) wrote2009-09-19 10:38 pm

The Truth about Broom - RP with [livejournal.com profile] captain_flyboy<user site="live

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.

[identity profile] righthanddoom.livejournal.com 2009-09-20 12:12 pm (UTC)(link)
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?

[identity profile] open-flame.livejournal.com 2009-09-20 12:42 pm (UTC)(link)
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?
Edited 2009-09-20 12:44 (UTC)

[identity profile] captain-flyboy.livejournal.com 2009-09-20 04:57 pm (UTC)(link)
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."

[identity profile] righthanddoom.livejournal.com 2009-09-20 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
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.

[identity profile] open-flame.livejournal.com 2009-09-20 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
I pulled album after album off the shelves, flipping through each quickly to see what was inside. There had to be pictures from the War here, they just had to be.

I'd about given up when I pull an older album off the shelf. I've never seen this one before. I throw it open and feel my mouth curl into a grin. There they are; Broom, Red AND Jack, all in one picture. Jack wasn't lying, Red did steal candy from him. Hersey bars, even. Red doesn't even like plain chocolate, it makes it all the more amusing.

I close the album quickly and rush out of the study. "Thanks, Manning." I twist around him and race down the hall to Red's room. I step over the laundry this time, but bash my shoulder a bit on a pile of old Beta Max tapes. Why doesn't Red throw those out, he's got the DVDs now.

The smile falls right off my face when I walk in to see Red glaring at Jack. I know what kind of a mood Red is in, but Jack, I can't quite tell. I can never really tell with him. He's good at hiding things.

God, I hope neither of them said anything stupid.

"Found it." I say softly as I hold up the old photo album.
Edited 2009-09-20 20:21 (UTC)

[identity profile] captain-flyboy.livejournal.com 2009-09-21 02:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm a bit nervous now, Liz, Gabriel and Hana are the only ones who know about Torchwood, Liz knowing the most out of the three. It's so fresh, so raw that for a moment I don't know what to say.

Then I decide to lay all the cards on the table, hang my own desires. "I led Torchwood," I answer, "the thing with the kids six months ago, we stopped that."

Well Ianto stopped that, I just figured out how then....watched as my own flesh and blood died to end things.

I don't bother explaining what Torchwood is, Liz can if she wants to, but my throat is too tight to say anymore.

[identity profile] righthanddoom.livejournal.com 2009-09-21 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"Torchwood?" Name's not familiar, but the thing about the kids I remember. Father was so pissed off. He had everyone ripping the entire Bureau apart trying to figure it out. Then it just stopped, as suddenly as it came. "Thanks for that." I mutter under my breath. That's the best he's getting out of me. Who the hell was this guy, really? Why did Liz bring him along? What the fuck is Torchwood? Did Father know about it?

I turn when I hear the stack of tapes crash. Liz looks like she's been running. "Found what?" She's got a book in her hands.

[identity profile] open-flame.livejournal.com 2009-09-21 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope interrupting is the right thing to do. "Look!" I command Red, pointing at the picture of him, Jack and Broom. Jack was right; Red was perched on his shoulders, like a happy little kid. He still had his horns, he hadn't started filing them down yet. He looked so innocent, so happy. Did he even know what he was born to do at that age, what his destiny was supposed to be?

"We're not...lying." My jaw shakes. I have no idea what to say to him. "You're father....loved you, Red. You know that." I shove the photo album in his hands and back away. I have no idea how he's going to react to this.

[identity profile] captain-flyboy.livejournal.com 2009-09-22 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I look over Liz's shoulder trying not to focus on how good she smells and see the picture. It makes me laugh.


"I remember that day, Trevor and I had been trying to work on the best way to get you two to a base and you refused to be anywhere but my shoulder while we did it. God knows why, but there you were ticking my ears with your tail and just generally being a pain.

Like any kid would."

[identity profile] righthanddoom.livejournal.com 2009-09-22 08:55 pm (UTC)(link)
I stare at them both a moment. He's so damn close to her, why isn't she freaking out? She hates it when people get that close to her uninvited. What the hell makes this guy so special that she's not pushing him away?

"Fine." I grab the album from Liz's hand and flip through it. So he was there, big deal. "This was 60 years ago, it's got nothin' to do with what happened to Father a couple months ago." I bark at both of them. The guys not lying. I don't know if this is bad or good. Son-of-a-bitch.

Liz still isn't pushing him away, why the hell isn't she upset he's so near her like that? Why is she just letting him stand so close to her like...

Oh, for fucks sake! You've got to be shitting me!

"You're the only one who knew he had cancer, huh? The only one Father told?" I step closer to Jack, growling a bit. I should punch him. I should shoot him. I should throw him threw a fucking wall. First Father tells him things he never told me and now...Liz. Damn! Why him, Liz?

[identity profile] open-flame.livejournal.com 2009-09-22 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I smile in spite of myself when Jack tells the story of what's happening in the picture. It's almost like Jack's whispering it to me, he's so close to me. I can feel his breath on my neck when he speaks.

I look up to see Red's face and in an instant know that he's not just angry about his father anymore. Shit! I should move away from Jack. Maybe go stand next to Red. I twitch a bit when Red snatches the album from my hand. He's angry, so very angry. I don't know if he's mad at me or his father or Jack or what.

I know standing near him right would be a very bad idea, though. I don't know what he's thinking, all I know is he's got that same look in his eyes that he would get right before he throws something at someone, or someone at something. I stay standing between him and Jack, as if I could actually stop Red if he wanted to get to Jack badly enough.

I hope Red doesn't do something stupid, and almost more so, I hope Jack doesn't either.
Edited 2009-09-22 21:13 (UTC)

[identity profile] captain-flyboy.livejournal.com 2009-09-22 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I stand at my full height and look Hellboy right in the eye. The part of me that is the Time Vortex howls in challenge, but I shove it down. I'm tired of fighting, I'm tired being the lone wolf.

If Hellboy wants to hit me fine, but I'm not going to hit first. I have no reason to be angry.

"Trevor trusted me Hellboy, he trusted me to understand you because I help aliens and people from the past. I've fought Daleks and Time Lords, I've seen the stars born and I will see them die.

Compared to all that being your friend is a peice of cake and ten times more fun."

I gently and carefully place my hand on Liz's arm and smile at her.

"You can be near him if you want too Liz I won't be upset."

[identity profile] righthanddoom.livejournal.com 2009-09-23 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
He was on a first name basis with Father. Great, just perfect.

"Who says I want to be your friend, Captain?" I don't want him as friend, and I definitely don't want him as a babysitter.

"Better not, Kid." I smirk at Liz. She moves on quick. The way this guy talks to her. Teh way she doesn't get upset when he gets so close to her. They're dating...or fucking. Which is worse, though? "You know what happens when you get all emotional and you're near me." I wonder if she told her little boyfriend about what happened in Russia. I should say something, just to rub his face in it. I would but damn it, it till hurts. Months later and it still fucking hurts. Why the hell did she kiss me if she didn't want to be with me?

Women! They make no sense at all!

[identity profile] open-flame.livejournal.com 2009-09-23 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
I know Jack's not trying to make Red upset, But he doesn't know Red like I do. Red's not in the mood for fun right now, no way. He's in the mood to hit something, I can see it in his eyes. Those sad eyes. He looks like he'll never be happy again.

"Red, Don't!" Instead of going to him, I pull myself back. God, that was a mistake. I backed up so far I ran right into Jack. It's so wrong of me to feel safer near Jack, with Red standing right there, but I do. Red's going to say something, about what happened in Russia. That kiss, that stupid reckless kiss.

No, he wouldn't be so cruel, would he? Not to me. He was my best friend for most of my life; he wouldn't say something just to make my life a million times more difficult, would he?

[identity profile] captain-flyboy.livejournal.com 2009-09-23 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
I wrap my arm around Liz's midsection so that she doesn't knock us both over, it's something I've done a lot since we talked after Vegas.

I know it will look bad to Hellboy and it might make him more upset but Liz always comes first for me now and touch is how we communicate our feelings to one another.

"You don't have to, but I made a promise to Trevor and I keep my promises no matter what...believe me when I say, I will always be around if you need me."

[identity profile] righthanddoom.livejournal.com 2009-09-23 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
I let out a growl when he holds her like that. What are the odds, that are the fucking odds!? Father's damn friend and Liz...together. That should be me holding her like that, not him! I'm so mad I can't even see straight.

"If I need ya, I'll just call ya." I smirk at Jack, making a phone gesture with my left hand. Won't be calling him, I guarantee it. I turn and walk away from them. If I don't I'll do something stupid. "Thanks for the good news about Pop, Liz. You made my day." I shout back. I can't bring myself to say anything about Russia. I can't be that mean, not to her. I could never hurt her like that, no matter what.

[identity profile] open-flame.livejournal.com 2009-09-23 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
Jack, why did you do that. I know I'm sad, I know I'm upset, but why did you have to put your arm around me like that?

"Red, I'm sorry!" I call back at him. I'm sorry I kissed him, I'm sorry I don't love him, I'm sorry I left, I'm sorry about Broom.

"Shit." I mutter as Red leaves my view. "I can't think of anyway this could have gone worse." I lay my head on Jack's chest.

Damn it, I knew that bad feeling was...really bad.

[identity profile] captain-flyboy.livejournal.com 2009-09-23 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I whisper softly in Liz's ear. "Go after him sweetheart, clear the air," I say letting her go.

"Hellboy needs to know you still care about him even with me in the picture and believe me you'd regret it if you didn't and something happened."

I really don't mind if she does, I should poke around here anyway make sure this Manning guy is doing this for the right reasons.

That and make sure BPRD doesn't have their hands on anything dangerous.

[identity profile] righthanddoom.livejournal.com 2009-09-23 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I should clean my room. Take all the shit that reminds me of Liz and burn it all. No, not burn it. Fire reminds me of her. Maybe I should just get a new room? I wonder how long it would take me to break through this wall again and just leave? Nah, Liz's stupid fucking captain boyfriend would probably rat me out to Manning, and I bet Liz wouldn't even try to stop him. Damn it!

She walks the same way she did when she was 11; nervous, light, delicate. Like she's afraid she'll hurt something if she steps too hard. She did. She stepped all over something very, very hard.

"What now?" I leave my back to her. What the hell could she possibly say to make me feel any better, or any worse for that matter?

[identity profile] open-flame.livejournal.com 2009-09-23 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Bumping over
Edited 2009-09-23 23:38 (UTC)