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

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

I watch silently as Manning reads the letter Jack handed him. I really wish I knew what was written there. Though it looks like it's not good by the look on Manning's face. He usually only makes that kind of a face at Red.

"Never happening." Manning folds the letter hastily and shoves it back in Jack's hand, clearly angry about what is written there. "Not that I enjoy being the leader of this freak show, but I'll be damned if Trevor Broom is going to tell me how to run the show from beyond the grave."

What the HELL is in that letter? I can't help but wonder, but there is no way I'm saying anything to either of them.

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

He did not just call me a freak. I draw myself up to my full height and fix Manning with a glare that allows him to see the threads of gold in my eyes. He opens his mouth mutters something about a worthless nobody in an old coat and something inside me snaps.

My fist connects cleanly with his jaw and I smile in pleasure as he hits the floor with a squeak. "You forget sir," I snap, "it was Trevor Broom who created this place...not you. And he did not create it for the government's use but for his own, to save people like Liz and Hellboy and Abe from the world's hate and scorn."

He and Liz are looking at the real me, the one I rarely show anyone, the brother to the Bad Wolf and the son of the Oncoming Storm. I am the Child of Time and I am angry.

"You will accept what help I design to give you little man," I add coolly, "but remember I am not doing this for your sad little group of suits who think they know everything, I am doing this in the memory of my friend Trevor Broom and those he considers his family....do you understand?"

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

"Oh, SHIT!" I let out a little gasp as my eyes pop open and my mind wraps itself around what I just witnessed.

Manning's got blood dripping down his chin, having bitten through his lip when Jack hit him. He looks like a broken doll on the floor. He's terrified. Something tells me Jack and I will be able to come and go as we please from now on with little if any words from Manning.

Jack HIT him! My chest is heaving from the adrenaline and excitement in the room. I try not to smile as John Myers walks up behind Manning, eyes wide absorbing the situation. Myers raises his head and grins at me. So many of us had been wanting to do that since Manning started here, but we know we'd get canned in a heartbeat.

Fuck, Fuck, FUCK! This isn't funny. Don't smile, and don't you dare laugh, Liz. DO NOT! I put my hand to my mouth and bite my thumb as a crowd gathers to see what all the commotion is about. Red and Abe are with them. Red's making no effort to hide how pleased he is with what's happened. He's laughing to hard tears are rolling down his cheeks.

"Jack, you are welcome here anytime, man! Hell, leave Liz at home and just come your self." He shouts as the entire room turns to look at him. "I owe you a beer. Hell, I owe you a fucking KEG!" Whispers of laughter escape some of the employees. The rest of them look disapproving from Jack to Red and back to me.

Finally I work up the nerve to speak as two suited flunkies help Manning back to his feet. "Jack, we need to go. Now." I whisper as I grab for his hand and pull him towards the lift.

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

All I can hear is the roaring of the Vortex in my heart. Without the Storm or the Wolf to calm me down I lost my head. Thank god for Liz pulling me out of the room when she did or I would have done worst to that little prick.

I make a mental note to talk to Gabriel about splitting my time between New Jersey and New York until I clean up this mess.

I take a deep breath and let out it out letting go of the part of me that this the Child as we reach the lift. "I'm sorry Liz," I say, "I lost my head."

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

I give his hand a squeeze as the lift starts up to the mansion above. "Are you kidding?" I laugh softly. "I think by doing that, you've replaced Fox Mulder as the official Hero of the BPRD." I turn and grin at him.

"Just remind me not to ever piss you off." I smile softly and give him a gently kiss when we're out of sight of everyone in the lower level. Enough gossip will be going around there, not need to add to it.

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I take another deep breath and relax into her sweet kiss. Between Abe's look and that little adventure back there I'm drained. "Mortals think life is so easy," I say softly, "but it isn't....they just refuse to see the truth."

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

He looks so tired. "I'm really proud of you." I run a hand through his hair and kiss him again. "You're amazing; standing up for us...them like that. Everything is going to change now." I say with a smile.

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

"We aren't freaks Liz," I reply leaning into her a little, "we once were people too, you and Hellboy are who you are and pricks like that shouldn't be able to mess with your heads."

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

"Shhh." God, I hate that Manning upset him so. Everyone at BPRD is used to it by now. It's just the way it is. BPRD wants to stay open, they do what Manning says. "Stop worrying about it, OK? It's not even your problem. Just worry about Red like Broom asked you to." I never thought I'd be the one talking him down from an emotional outburst.

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

"It's not right," I answer, "why would Broom put someone in charge that has no idea what he's doing."

I then think about that statement and laugh, Broom knew what he was doing alright, trying to ease me into a new job. Clever to the last my old friend, well done.

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

"You've never worked with the United States Government before have you?" How can explain to him that trying to fight this system is a losing battle?

"I don't think Broom wanted Manning in charge any more than any of us did, but that's just the way the cards fell. Nothing can be done about it." Jack can't be here to keep Manning in line. While that little display was inspiring, it might not effect things the way I first thought. Manning will spin Jack as the villain, just like he does to Red.

"Just forget about it and let's go back to New York, OK? We have jobs we need to do there."

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I can't forget, Trevor wanted me to do something here and dammit I will find a way to do it. "I worked with the British government, but government is government, full of assholes in suits."

"I will make things right Liz, Broom would want me too," I say.

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

"You really think you can beat the assholes in suits?" I snap at him a bit as I pull away, frustrated. "Jack, I mean it. Don't push Manning. If he puts in a bad report about BPRD, they will lose funding. I don't know about you, but I am NOT letting Red and Abe live with me!" I laugh and shake my head as the lift reaches the top.

"Come on, we'll go back to New York, go to dinner or something, forget all about the unpleasantness, OK?" I try my best not to be upset with him, but he just doesn't understand the way things work around here. Stirring the pot will only lead to trouble.

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

"BPRD might not need government funding anymore," I muse but drop the subject when I see the look on Liz's face. I'll work out a plan myself then run it by her later if it looks like it might work.

"Dinner sounds great....maybe we could eat in at your place," I ask softly.

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

"Who else do you know that will be willing to pay for," I hold up my hands and look around the lobby. "All this?" I sigh gently and grab his hand. Now is not the time to pick a fight. Maybe if I just ignore this, Jack will drop it an it will go away. Where did he get the idea that he had to get so involved with BPRD? I didn't think asking him to come with me would end up like this.

We can talk about it later, or not at all." I say nonchalantly as we walk out the door to the waiting car. At least Manning didn't tell them to make us walk back to the airport. I wouldn't put it past him.

"If you want actual 'dinner' at my place, then we'll have to get take out." I say as we get into the car. "All I know how to cook pancakes, nachos and coffee." I smile up at him. "Unless you know how to cook?"

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised Liz hasn't raise the money question with me before, but Ianto never did so why should she do the same. Most of Torchwood was financed out of my own pocket after the Battle of Canary Wharf.

I'm a very rich man thanks to backing several Broadway hits, investments, a few businesses I'm a silent partner in and the large salary Torchwood paid me when I was a freelance agent that I've saved most of. I don't have to work anymore if I don't want to, I do it so I don't get bored.

And also I have knowledge that has saved the world more then once. "I can cook," I reply smiling, "I took lessons in France back in the 50's, and I have an original copy of Julia Child's first cookbook."

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

I smile back at him. That might not be so bad. "I can help you with the cooking, I know how to cut stuff up and measure and all that." Barely. Every time I was away from BPRD, I lived on take out and frozen dinners. This time is no different.

"Really?" I raise an eyebrow. "Did she get to meet her?" Sometimes Red and I used to watch cooking shows when there was nothing else on. It always made us hungry and then we'd have to deal with the less than stellar cooking from the kitchen.

"If you want to cook, we'll have to go shopping. All I have is half a bag of popcorn and coffee. Maybe there's some bread too. Not good bread or anything," I try not to look too embarrassed. "Just plain old Wonderbread."

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I smile. "No I never did," I say, "I met one of her co-authors though lovely woman if a bit flighty. Julia frankly scared me a little. But she was a wonderful woman by all accounts."

I open her car door. "To the supermarket we go."

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

“You were scared of a woman who was drunk half the time?” I laugh before I step out of the car and face him.

“Wimp.” I flash a smile to let him know I’m kidding before I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. I don’t really care who sees.

I’m so happy he dropped all the BPRD stuff. “Yes, to the supermarket…or by the time we get dinner made it will be breakfast time.”

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

I laugh softly. "Julia was taller then me by a few inches and when she got something into her head so her co-authors said, she could be a real bear. But her beef stew with wine is heaven on earth," I say.

I let Liz kiss me, happy in the knowledge she's more relaxed and at ease now.

"And she has this salad I think you'll love, I haven't decided on what to make for desert yet."

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

"That sounds perfect." I grin at him, already getting hungry at the idea of something other than take out or TV dinners.

"But salad and me, not good friends. There are vegetables all over salads." I crinkle my nose a bit. BPRD was never famous for it's balanced meals. I'm not used to this sort of thing at all.

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

"Well I'll have to introduce you to my friends the four major food groups," I say with a smile, "you need to eat more balanced meals, it might even help with your emotional control."

It really is true some foods can balance out people's emotions if they are cooked in the right way. I make a mental note to talk to Gabriel about that factor maybe we can run some tests and see if I'm right.

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

"Coffee, Pancakes, Popcorn, and Take-out." I count them off on my fingers trying really hard not to laugh. I fail miserable, and burst into giggles.

"Well, that would explain a lot." I nod and crumple my brow after I stop laughing. "If it will help me keep control, I will give it a try, but I make no promises. Unless you want to come over every single day and cook for me, of course."

I find myself fidgeting with the rubber bands on my wrist as I speak. "I'm still not smoking; that counts for something right?" I say with mock pride.

[captain-flyboy.livejournal.com]

"Quitting smoking is a good start Liz," I say with a firm nod, "not many people are that strong, I lost many a friend and lover to cancer before their time."

I sigh thinking of Cole Porter as a good example of that. That man had so much music left in him.

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

I nod back. "Sorry if I'm so moody. It's not easy to quit." I snap one of the bands on my wrist and try not to think about cigarettes. Focus on dinner, focus on being happy and focus on Jack. I tell myself.

"I tried a few times before but the closest I ever came was..." I trail off. "Last time I left BPRD, but I had...help then."