[Audio]

[championoftime]

[Public]

[Because after his talk with Rex, and some other mentions of losing his temper and dwelling on what a horrible person his mirror self was, he's trying to dredge up what it was that made him a good person.]

This is another one of those stories. Feel free to ignore it, if you so like. But it's on a matter I've recently had brought to mind, and I forgot how important this matter was. Rex simply reminded me.

Her name was Bernice Summerfield- Benny. An archaeologist. Passionate and unstoppable. She was an admirable woman, and my first encounter with her occurred while I was still with Ace. I was a lesser man then, and I was still in debt to Death herself.

I feared I would have to have Ace to pay this debt, and I was doing everything in my power to avoid this consequence. Even placing Ace's romantic interests at risk. She was fond of boy, a single individual, whose life forsaken could be instrumental in saving a galaxy.

I also knew she was capable of leaving the TARDIS for him.

I convinced myself that it was only for the good of the galaxy that I make these arrangements. But Benny knew better. She knew that some part of me was cruel and selfish, and didn't want to be alone. With good reason I lost Ace for a while after that. She rejoined me later, but for a time it was only me and Benny. Benny was with me for the longest at any stretch than any one of my companions, and before she agreed to come, she made but one request of me; that I wouldn't use her life as a part of any of my schemes. That just avoiding physical violence wasn't enough.

I'm glad she did. I'm glad she forced me to change the way I thought. It brought my past actions to light, and I knew I needed that change. Some people need to find someone like that in their lives. It's very important. Because after having seen more of the worst in myself, I'm glad she kept me from going further in that direction. She will probably always be one of my favourite people in the universe for that.

[Private to Dick Grayson]

I know you've shown an interest in David, and my inmate now wants revenge on him for what he's done. But my inmate is little more than a boy too, you understand. He just feels that he failed in keeping his young friend Johnny safe and secure.

I don't know if going to his warden would exacerbate matters or not. Would it?

[Private to Frances Owens]

I feel as though I owe you an apology.

Comments

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

Bourne hasn't exactly proven himself to be the most responsible warden. What exactly are you hoping this would accomplish?

[Private]

[championoftime]

Mostly ways to keep them apart at first. But I would very much at least like to resolve the matter to mutual understanding. I doubt "like" is a possibility, but there's a long history of Johnny being attacked and even gravely injured, and Dallas feels responsible for him. Adopted family if you will.

Re: [Private]

[batmanschmatman]

Believe me, I get why Dallas is angry with him, but I'm not sure I really know David or Dallas enough to come up with ways to make them actually understand each other. David can carry one hell of a grudge.

[Private]

[championoftime]

So can Dallas. [Sigh.] I'll keep you posted though, if you're interested.

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

I'd appreciate that.

[peektuttut]

[Oh God this is a story that Tim can resonate with.]

What happened to her?

[championoftime]

The last I saw her she was married and happily moving on.

I believe that Brax knew her later. I've not inquired much, but I ought to.



[YEAH WHAT HAPPENED TO HER, BRAXIATEL?!]

[collector]

Last I checked in on her, she's been quite well. She decided to travel a little with her son; we last made contact on Javarda where she was doing a little excavation for me.

[Go on, Omega. Rhade. Dare you to contradict him. Every word of that was the truth.]

[championoftime]

Is her son thinking of taking after his mother? [He knows little about this little one.]

[collector]

I've always found Peter more taking on after his father with his interests. Though his temper is undoubtedly Bernice's.

[championoftime]

If you have any pictures you'll have to show me. I know I could make a request from the Admiral but it seems so impersonal.

[collector]

I keep a fair few around. I could even make you copies to keep, you are that sort of sentimental. [he says, fondly glancing at the portrait of his Collection family on his desk.]

[championoftime]

I would very much like that, thank you. [He is that sort of sentimental. He's one of those versions that couldn't write off his companions and had to go back and check on them obsessively.]

[collector]

Drop by in a day and I'll have a photobook for you.

[Useless Comment]

[truth_is_cold]

[Not contradicting. But creeping like a creeper that creeps.]

[rass-bestie.livejournal.com]

[Lucky for you, Brax, Omega's a little too depressed right now for an argument on two fronts. But he was here.]

[peektuttut]

Good. That's good.

Maybe you should find out.

[championoftime]

I plan to.

Er... beyond what's said up there. Which fills in a bit of a gap.

The universe must be a bit more frightening with two people of Benny's temper in it.

[peektuttut]

Better than nothing, right?

Bad one, huh?

[championoftime]

We were once hired to remove plaster from a house because the force of our arguments was so potent.

I still wouldn't have traded her for being someone else.

[peektuttut]

...Sounds pretty intense.

[Private]

[collector]

[Braxiatel can't respond to this by drinking a glass of brandy. Benny would have drunk his drinks cabinet dry. This little narrative of the Doctor's has made Brax want to stay away from alcohol for a week.]

And then you let her marry Mr Kane. Try not to pay back any other friends with that sort of non-interference, will you?

[Insulting Jason like he was still among the living makes Braxiatel feel less miserable for killing him.]

[Private]

[championoftime]

The one thing we can never control is who our friends fall in love with, as maddening as it is sometimes. They'll decide hell or high trousers.

[Killing? Obviously there was no killing. Or Brax wouldn't be referring to him as if he was still alive.]

[Private]

[collector]

'Hell or high--'? Must you, Thete? I'm afraid I can't even take comfort in the thought that it is accidental.

[Private]

[championoftime]

You couldn't tell the difference between the lot of us if I didn't.

[He is a pesky, pesky younger brother.]

[Private]

[collector]

I assure you, I don't need the assistance. You're all distinct in your own, equally irritating ways.

[Private]

[timesbureaucrat]

[This resonates rather a lot.]

Was it difficult, changing the way you'd always done things in the past?

[Private]

[championoftime]

Absolutely. I've obviously not yet shaken it all out of me. I'm just increasingly aware of it.

[Private]

[timesbureaucrat]

And being aware of it makes it easier to refrain? [He hopes so. Because he has at least got past step one: admit that you have a problem. Because scheming appears to be like a drug to Time Lords.]

[Private]

[championoftime]

It helps.

It helps if you've also a person to be openly irritated too rather than carrying around resentment that compels you to act. [Oh Benny, so good for the argument.]

[Private]

[timesbureaucrat]

I believe expressing irritation openly has never been a problem for me.

[Private] LJ why did you suddenly make the reply button unpleasant?

[championoftime]

You have a point.

Lurking like a lurker

[no_fastolfe]

[Vas will just be over here, listening and not talking, and digesting the idea that maybe refraining from violence isn't enough to make one moral.]

[una_persson]

She sounds like a remarkable lady.

It's good to know people like that, I think.

[championoftime]

I'm very fortunate to have known her, I believe. I would like to think, despite it's faults, that's the idea here. To do for others what she did for me.

[Private]

[get-thebook.livejournal.com]

Me? Why?

[Private]

[championoftime]

I should really have checked up on you sooner. I know that alternate self of mine didn't make things easy on anyone.