OFA: sticking it out

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Nikola has not left the Sanctuary. Nor does he intend to.

As far as he's concerned, Helen had a fit of temper, causing her to react rashly and foolishly, and when she's had a chance to calm down, she'll either forget all about it or apologize, and they can get on with things.

Really, he's being generous in his assumptions because he thinks her concern for Ashley will finally result in her acting in (what he assumes) is Ashley's best interest.

And if not...

Well, for the moment, he's holed up in his lab, and he's jury-rigged a pretty impressive lock/barricade to keep people out. He'd really like to see Henry try to get through it. (Or John. He'd really like to see John try.) He can stay for quite some time without needing to leave for supplies, and if anyone really needs him, there are certainly ways to communicate that don't require face-to-face interaction.

So he waits.

Comments

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"So you're still working on the energy readings, but I haven't grovelled enough to actually get a look at them, is that what you're saying?"

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"I'm saying nothing whatsoever on the subject."

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"Why not?" Owen runs a hand over his eyes and makes a terrible face, glad that Nikola can't see him right now. "I've apologised, haven't I? I'm here, Tesla. Begging you for help through a locked door. Grovelling back to you."

He slams his fist into the carpet. "What else can I do?"

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"It doesn't matter what you do," Nikola snaps. "You're not getting in here, and I'm not helping you today. Deal with it."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

Not today. Owen pounces on that like a dog with a bone.

He sighs and gets up, leaning on Tesla's door and speaking more softly. "Okay. I get it. I'm going. You've still got my jacket. Tesla, can I have it back before I leave you alone... please?"

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"No. That door stays closed."

Nobody ever said Nikola wasn't a paranoid bastard.

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"C'mon, Tesla," Owen says bluntly, "you're being unreasonable. You got my jacket in there, and my shirt, and my vest. I kind of need them back."

It's not like he only has one outfit, but he has been wearing that jacket practically every day since his recruitment to Torchwood. He wouldn't admit it, but you might say it has sentimental value.

He's not also aiming for a quick look inside Tesla's locked lair or anything.

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"And I kind of need that door to stay shut."

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"Why?" Owen throws his hands in the air, exasperated. "What are you scared of out here?"

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"It's hardly that simple."

And he isn't scared of anything per se. Just avoiding it.

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"Try me. I've hardly got anything better to do than listen, have I?"

Owen may have just been needling him there. He wouldn't want to meet anything that could scare Tesla.

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"I'm not back here pining away for someone to unburden myself on, if that's what you're imagining."

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"I'd be disappointed if you were," Owen says frankly. "That's not who you are."

He pulls his jumper closer in, sitting back against the door.

"You gonna tell me, then, so I don't have to imagine?"

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"No, I'm going to let you be creative about it."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

Owen raises an eyebrow. "You can't stay in there forever," he says. "Whatever's out here, you're gonna get hungry eventually, aintcha? Will Doctor Magnus be impressed with a hungry vampire roaming her Sanctuary, d'you think?"

He knows Tesla thinks of blood as a tasty snack. He's no idea what - if anything - Tesla also eats and now he's just pushing for a response, really.

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"Frankly, I couldn't care less what Helen will think of it. And I have more than enough in here to last me a good long while." He knows better than to lock himself away without supplies.

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

He frowns. "Have you pissed off Magnus?"

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"It's so easy to do these days."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

He wonders if there's any point in pressing for details and decides there probably isn't.

"It's her house," he shrugs. "If she doesn't want you here and you're not happy with her, why are you still here? I mean, it can't be just because you secretly find the zombie irresistible..."

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Because he can't abide being kicked out of the house of one of his oldest friends.

"Careful with your suggestions. If I leave, I'm not staying in Old City."

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"Don't leave," Owen says quickly. That would be him totally down the pan. "I didn't mean that. She'll forgive you, Tesla. Maybe - " He shrugs. "Maybe you just should try an' show her that you do want to be here."

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Nikola laughs harshly. "You clearly don't know Helen."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"Not really, no," Owen admits. He respects her and tries to keep on her good side, but his bond is to Will, not really to the woman whose Sanctuary it is.

But she said that she wouldn't dream of throwing someone out who merely had some difficulty...

"What'd you do to her, Tesla?"

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"Nothing."

Which is, surprisingly enough, the truth. Or one version of it at least.

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"Okay then..." Owen turns it around, hoping he'll get more of an answer this way.

"What'd she do to you?"