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May. 12th, 2010 07:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
trillianastraTitle: Encounter
Author: Trillianastra
Prompt: Brief Encounter
Character/Pairing(s): Toshiko/Owen, Toshiko/Andy, Jack, Gwen.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: Only for Brief Encounter, none for Torchwood
Word Count: 2474
Disclaimer for TW and the movie you are using: Torchwood and Brief Encounter are the property of their creators, no copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: When Toshiko Davidson meets someone while waiting for her train to work, she realises how unhappy she is with her once-idyllic life in a Welsh village, and she has to make a difficult choice.
Toshiko blinked. She’d read the same sentence five times now. She quickly glanced at her husband across the room, and saw that he was still buried in the day’s newspaper. She looked back at the open book on her lap, pretending to read as she tried to summon the courage to do something, to tell him all the things she’d been longing to say for so long.
But she couldn’t. She knew that once he knew, once she’d told him the truth, it would break his heart, and she didn’t want to do that. At least not in person, not standing in front of him, saying all those things she’d kept hidden away inside. She swallowed, and came to a decision. It was all right that she wasn’t going to tell him right now, because instead she’d write him a letter.
Yes, she thought to herself, that would be easier for both of them. She had always been able to express herself more clearly in writing, and for him it would be easier to read her confession than to have to look at her while she said it.
Confession, she thought. That’s what this letter would be. Her confession.
She closed her book gently and laid it on the side table next to her armchair. Fixing her features into a smile, she got his attention. “Andy?”
He looked up from the newspaper article he was reading. “Yes?”
“I have some research I need to do, I’ll be in the study if you need me.”
“All right.”
As he turned back to his newspaper, she stood up and walked out of the front room on unsteady legs.
Once in her study, she locked the door and sat down at her desk. Her gaze fell on her laptop, which she relied on for so much, but she left it closed and reached for the pad of notepaper and a pen.
Holding the pen poised over the sheet of paper, she took a deep breath and started to write.
My dear husband,
Please read everything that I write here. I hope you understand…#
~~~
Some Time Earlier
Toshiko Davidson stood on the cold railway platform, wishing both that she’d chosen a better jacket and that the station café would open. Besides, she had a long day ahead and she really needed caffeine. She hugged her thin jacket closer around herself and tried to tell herself that it wasn’t really all that cold.
“Cold?” She turns at the question, not having realised that anyone was nearby, and sees a man with short, dark hair standing close to her.
She smiles self-deprecatingly. “I should have brought a warmer jacket.”
He surprises her then by shrugging off his leather jacket and holding it out to her. “While we’re waiting for the train,” he says by way of explanation.
Grateful, she takes the coat, feeling a little awkward as she wraps it around herself. “Thanks.”
“No problem. I don’t mind the cold.”
“That’s not a local accent… are you here visiting someone?”
“Nah, it’s a work thing. Just started at the hospital. We only came up from London last week.” He offers her his hand. “Owen Harper.”
She shook his hand. “Toshiko Davidson. Lovely to meet you.”
“Now, I know this is Wales, but you don’t look like a Davidson.”
“You got me. I’m like you, I came up here for work, at the industrial estate. Davidson’s my husband’s last name.”
The train pulled into the platform, and Toshiko started walking to the nearest set of doors. Soon she’d found a seat and was settling in for the short journey. She smiled despite herself when she saw Owen walk into the carriage. He noticed her and headed for the seat opposite her.
“Hello again. I didn’t realise we were on the same train.”
“Yeah, well…”
They carried on their conversation from the platform, talking about their kids, their jobs, the area, until the train arrived at Owen’s destination. They said a polite goodbye, then he left the train. As it pulled away from the platform, Toshiko looked down and realised that she still had his jacket.
~~
The next morning, she brought the jacket with her in a shopping bag, and hoped that he would decide to take the same train that day. She was relieved when she walked onto the platform and saw him.
“Hello again.”
He looked briefly at her and half-smiled. “Hi.”
“I still have your jacket,” she said, holding up the shopping bag.
“Thanks,” he said as he took it, “I was wondering where that had gone.”
“Are you all right?”
“Having a bad day. ‘S not good when it’s only 7.30 and you’re already having a bad day, is it?”
“That depends on how bad it is, I suppose.”
He looked at her steadily. “It’s bad, okay?”
She nodded, sensing that he didn’t want to talk about it. Instead she waited quietly next to him, telling herself that a) she didn’t really know him at all and b) if he wanted to talk to her about whatever was wrong, he would. Guiltily, she added a c) – and she shouldn’t be so excited that he had shown up again.
~~
The third day, Toshiko and Owen met again. This time, Owen showed up looking a lot more cheerful – but he wouldn’t tell her why, no matter how much she asked. He kept deflecting her questions, talking about her life, her family, instead of his.
She should have noticed that something was up, but her thoughts were dominated by an important work project and she was justifiably distracted.
~~
It was six weeks since their first meeting on the platform when Owen showed up with a Thermos that had a single flower taped to the lid. He handed it to her with a grin.
“Coffee. I know a guy, he makes the best coffee I’ve ever had. I thought you’d want to try some.”
She took the flask gingerly. “Is this because I’m always complaining about the café not being open?”
“…okay, maybe that’s part of the reason… but I really do know a guy.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Yeah… he’s my stepbrother. Welsh, like your husband. About five years ago, his mum met my dad, and… well, you get the idea. He lives around here… runs a coffee place.”
“It’s all right,” she laughed, “I believe you.” She toyed with the flower taped to the flask. “Is there a reason for this?”
He shrugged. “Does there have to be?”
She met his gaze, and looked away quickly. “No. Um. Thank you for the coffee.”
Suddenly she has the feeling of standing on the edge of a cliff, and it feels like she has vertigo, and she has to get away. She flees the station, still holding the flask, stopping outside on the pavement where she breathes deeply and wipes tears from her eyes.
She takes a bus to work that day, even though it takes longer. She tells her co-workers that the train was delayed. That morning, she catches herself when she’s about to make a mug of coffee, and reaches for the flask.
It really was the best she’d ever had. Her co-workers stare as she runs to the bathroom in tears.
~~
For a week, she takes the bus, leaving earlier than normal and telling Andy that she had a project that needed extra work. Eventually she realises that she can’t keep this up forever, that she is going to have to go back to the station. She gathers all her courage and, seven weeks after she first met Owen Harper, she shows up at the station as usual.
The flask, now empty and carefully washed clean, is tucked away in her briefcase.
He’s sitting on one of the cold metal benches when she gets there. She buys her ticket, smiles at the cashier, checks the information board to see if there have been any delays. She does everything as normal. Then she sits down on the other end of Owen’s bench.
“I thought something might have happened to you,” he remarks.
“I got scared.”
“Of me?”
“No,” she shakes her head softly. “Of what I might do.”
He turns to look at her, and sees that she’s crying. “Why’d you come back then?”
“Because I had to.”
For a long time neither of them said anything. Then he swallowed and said, “Don’t think I’m trying anything but… you’re not very happy, are you?”
“I should be. I have… everything. A family, a husband, a home… everything that I could want. But I’m not. I’ve got a husband that barely talks to me, a home I never asked for…”
“I know how you feel.”
“You do?” She frowns.
“My wife left me. Took the kids, went back to London. She wouldn’t even tell me why.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me for months.”
She smiles through her tears, and he adds,
“Do you want to go somewhere with me?”
“I have to go to work…”
“We can plan something, it’s Saturday tomorrow, we’ll go somewhere. Somewhere where it’s just us.”
Without thinking, Toshiko says, “Yes.”
~~
They swap phone numbers. Toshiko goes to work and tries to concentrate on her projects. Owen goes to the hospital, and on his break he calls a friend.
Jack picks up on the third ring. “Owen, what’s up?”
“I need a favour… you know that flat you were trying to sublet?”
“Yeah…”
“Did you find a tenant yet?”
“Not yet, as it happens, why?”
“I need somewhere to stay, just for a night.”
“Oh, it’s like that…”
“Shut it, Harkness. Can I use the flat or not?”
“Easy,” Jack says with a laugh, “of course you can. When do you need it?”
“This weekend? I’ll be out of there by Sunday night.”
“Should be all right. The people in the flat next door have a key, they can let you in… I’ll call them, so they know you’re coming.”
“Thanks, mate.”
“Can I ask why you need a place to stay?”
“No, you can’t.”
“Touchy. Give me a call if you need anything else, yeah?”
“Thanks.”
The next call Owen makes is to Toshiko at her office. They arrange to meet at the station at the usual time the next morning.
~~
That Saturday, Toshiko leaves early, having told Andy that she has to visit the Cardiff office, and that it’s important and she couldn’t possibly get anyone else to go.
He looks so earnest that she almost confesses the whole thing right there, but she doesn’t, and makes it to the station. The train journey seems to fly by, and soon they’re pulling into the Cardiff station. The flat Owen’s borrowed from his friend is nearby, so it doesn’t take long to get there.
Once they’re inside and the door’s locked, Toshiko puts her briefcase down on a chair and sighs. “I don’t know if I should be doing this.”
“That’s stupid. Are you happy?”
“Yes.”
“Then this is what you should be doing.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“No problem. What do you want to do?”
“Can we… go out, even if we just walk around? It’s a lovely day…”
“All right.”
~~
They walked around Cardiff for a while, window-shopping and just enjoying the day. Toshiko started to think that maybe she’d been worrying too much, when suddenly all her fears returned when she heard a familiar voice.
“Tosh?”
She fixed a smile on her face and turned to face the speaker. “Gwen, hi… what are you doing here?”
“Oh, just a bit of shopping, you know. You?”
Toshiko froze. “Um… it’s a work thing, this is Mr Harper, he’s up from the London office, I got volunteered to show him around.”
Owen played along, confused. “Nice to meet you,” he said as he shook Gwen’s hand quickly.
“Oh, you too. Well, I’ll see you soon, Tosh, okay?”
“Yeah, fine. Bye…”
As Gwen walked away, Owen leaned closer, whispering, “So, who was that?”
“Gwen Williams. She lives down the street from me.”
“Ah. She knows your husband, then?”
“They used to work together.”
“Oh… maybe we should go back to the flat.”
They hurried back, not speaking again until they were inside. They were standing in the flat’s tiny kitchen when Owen kissed her.
Toshiko broke the kiss first. “I can’t do this.”
“I thought you weren’t happy.”
“I wasn’t. And if things were different, if I wasn’t married, then we could be together.”
“You could get a divorce.”
She paused. “No. No, I can’t. I’m sorry. I… I have to go.” She picked up her briefcase and fled, getting on the first train going the right way. She wept all the way home.
~~
Toshiko put down her pen and rubbed a hand over her eyes. She read over what she’d written, satisfying herself that she hadn’t forgotten anything – not that she would be able to forget any of this.
She sighed, stood up, and walked back to the front room, the letter in her hand.
“Andy?”
He looked up. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing… um… please, read this… If you still want anything to do with me afterwards, I’ll be in the garden.” She handed him the letter.
He took it, bemused. “I…”
“Just read it.” She walked out of the room. Andy watched her go, then looked down at the letter in his hand and started to read.
~~
Half an hour later, he dropped the three sheets of paper onto the coffee table and went outside to the garden.
“Tosh?”
He found her sitting on the swing he’d set up for the girls. “Tosh, are you all right?”
She looked up. “No.” She stood up from the swing. “No, I’m not all right.”
“What you wrote in that letter… that was all real? It all happened?”
“Yes! Of course it did, I wouldn’t have written it otherwise!”
“You haven’t been very happy, have you?”
“No,” she shook her head. “Coming back on the train, I was standing on the platform and I thought, maybe it would be easier if I just stepped off.”
“But something stopped you.”
She nodded. “I knew you and the girls were here waiting for me.”
“And we’ll always be here for you, you know that don’t you?”
“Yeah. I know.”
Author: Trillianastra
Prompt: Brief Encounter
Character/Pairing(s): Toshiko/Owen, Toshiko/Andy, Jack, Gwen.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: Only for Brief Encounter, none for Torchwood
Word Count: 2474
Disclaimer for TW and the movie you are using: Torchwood and Brief Encounter are the property of their creators, no copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: When Toshiko Davidson meets someone while waiting for her train to work, she realises how unhappy she is with her once-idyllic life in a Welsh village, and she has to make a difficult choice.
Toshiko blinked. She’d read the same sentence five times now. She quickly glanced at her husband across the room, and saw that he was still buried in the day’s newspaper. She looked back at the open book on her lap, pretending to read as she tried to summon the courage to do something, to tell him all the things she’d been longing to say for so long.
But she couldn’t. She knew that once he knew, once she’d told him the truth, it would break his heart, and she didn’t want to do that. At least not in person, not standing in front of him, saying all those things she’d kept hidden away inside. She swallowed, and came to a decision. It was all right that she wasn’t going to tell him right now, because instead she’d write him a letter.
Yes, she thought to herself, that would be easier for both of them. She had always been able to express herself more clearly in writing, and for him it would be easier to read her confession than to have to look at her while she said it.
Confession, she thought. That’s what this letter would be. Her confession.
She closed her book gently and laid it on the side table next to her armchair. Fixing her features into a smile, she got his attention. “Andy?”
He looked up from the newspaper article he was reading. “Yes?”
“I have some research I need to do, I’ll be in the study if you need me.”
“All right.”
As he turned back to his newspaper, she stood up and walked out of the front room on unsteady legs.
Once in her study, she locked the door and sat down at her desk. Her gaze fell on her laptop, which she relied on for so much, but she left it closed and reached for the pad of notepaper and a pen.
Holding the pen poised over the sheet of paper, she took a deep breath and started to write.
My dear husband,
Please read everything that I write here. I hope you understand…#
~~~
Some Time Earlier
Toshiko Davidson stood on the cold railway platform, wishing both that she’d chosen a better jacket and that the station café would open. Besides, she had a long day ahead and she really needed caffeine. She hugged her thin jacket closer around herself and tried to tell herself that it wasn’t really all that cold.
“Cold?” She turns at the question, not having realised that anyone was nearby, and sees a man with short, dark hair standing close to her.
She smiles self-deprecatingly. “I should have brought a warmer jacket.”
He surprises her then by shrugging off his leather jacket and holding it out to her. “While we’re waiting for the train,” he says by way of explanation.
Grateful, she takes the coat, feeling a little awkward as she wraps it around herself. “Thanks.”
“No problem. I don’t mind the cold.”
“That’s not a local accent… are you here visiting someone?”
“Nah, it’s a work thing. Just started at the hospital. We only came up from London last week.” He offers her his hand. “Owen Harper.”
She shook his hand. “Toshiko Davidson. Lovely to meet you.”
“Now, I know this is Wales, but you don’t look like a Davidson.”
“You got me. I’m like you, I came up here for work, at the industrial estate. Davidson’s my husband’s last name.”
The train pulled into the platform, and Toshiko started walking to the nearest set of doors. Soon she’d found a seat and was settling in for the short journey. She smiled despite herself when she saw Owen walk into the carriage. He noticed her and headed for the seat opposite her.
“Hello again. I didn’t realise we were on the same train.”
“Yeah, well…”
They carried on their conversation from the platform, talking about their kids, their jobs, the area, until the train arrived at Owen’s destination. They said a polite goodbye, then he left the train. As it pulled away from the platform, Toshiko looked down and realised that she still had his jacket.
~~
The next morning, she brought the jacket with her in a shopping bag, and hoped that he would decide to take the same train that day. She was relieved when she walked onto the platform and saw him.
“Hello again.”
He looked briefly at her and half-smiled. “Hi.”
“I still have your jacket,” she said, holding up the shopping bag.
“Thanks,” he said as he took it, “I was wondering where that had gone.”
“Are you all right?”
“Having a bad day. ‘S not good when it’s only 7.30 and you’re already having a bad day, is it?”
“That depends on how bad it is, I suppose.”
He looked at her steadily. “It’s bad, okay?”
She nodded, sensing that he didn’t want to talk about it. Instead she waited quietly next to him, telling herself that a) she didn’t really know him at all and b) if he wanted to talk to her about whatever was wrong, he would. Guiltily, she added a c) – and she shouldn’t be so excited that he had shown up again.
~~
The third day, Toshiko and Owen met again. This time, Owen showed up looking a lot more cheerful – but he wouldn’t tell her why, no matter how much she asked. He kept deflecting her questions, talking about her life, her family, instead of his.
She should have noticed that something was up, but her thoughts were dominated by an important work project and she was justifiably distracted.
~~
It was six weeks since their first meeting on the platform when Owen showed up with a Thermos that had a single flower taped to the lid. He handed it to her with a grin.
“Coffee. I know a guy, he makes the best coffee I’ve ever had. I thought you’d want to try some.”
She took the flask gingerly. “Is this because I’m always complaining about the café not being open?”
“…okay, maybe that’s part of the reason… but I really do know a guy.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Yeah… he’s my stepbrother. Welsh, like your husband. About five years ago, his mum met my dad, and… well, you get the idea. He lives around here… runs a coffee place.”
“It’s all right,” she laughed, “I believe you.” She toyed with the flower taped to the flask. “Is there a reason for this?”
He shrugged. “Does there have to be?”
She met his gaze, and looked away quickly. “No. Um. Thank you for the coffee.”
Suddenly she has the feeling of standing on the edge of a cliff, and it feels like she has vertigo, and she has to get away. She flees the station, still holding the flask, stopping outside on the pavement where she breathes deeply and wipes tears from her eyes.
She takes a bus to work that day, even though it takes longer. She tells her co-workers that the train was delayed. That morning, she catches herself when she’s about to make a mug of coffee, and reaches for the flask.
It really was the best she’d ever had. Her co-workers stare as she runs to the bathroom in tears.
~~
For a week, she takes the bus, leaving earlier than normal and telling Andy that she had a project that needed extra work. Eventually she realises that she can’t keep this up forever, that she is going to have to go back to the station. She gathers all her courage and, seven weeks after she first met Owen Harper, she shows up at the station as usual.
The flask, now empty and carefully washed clean, is tucked away in her briefcase.
He’s sitting on one of the cold metal benches when she gets there. She buys her ticket, smiles at the cashier, checks the information board to see if there have been any delays. She does everything as normal. Then she sits down on the other end of Owen’s bench.
“I thought something might have happened to you,” he remarks.
“I got scared.”
“Of me?”
“No,” she shakes her head softly. “Of what I might do.”
He turns to look at her, and sees that she’s crying. “Why’d you come back then?”
“Because I had to.”
For a long time neither of them said anything. Then he swallowed and said, “Don’t think I’m trying anything but… you’re not very happy, are you?”
“I should be. I have… everything. A family, a husband, a home… everything that I could want. But I’m not. I’ve got a husband that barely talks to me, a home I never asked for…”
“I know how you feel.”
“You do?” She frowns.
“My wife left me. Took the kids, went back to London. She wouldn’t even tell me why.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me for months.”
She smiles through her tears, and he adds,
“Do you want to go somewhere with me?”
“I have to go to work…”
“We can plan something, it’s Saturday tomorrow, we’ll go somewhere. Somewhere where it’s just us.”
Without thinking, Toshiko says, “Yes.”
~~
They swap phone numbers. Toshiko goes to work and tries to concentrate on her projects. Owen goes to the hospital, and on his break he calls a friend.
Jack picks up on the third ring. “Owen, what’s up?”
“I need a favour… you know that flat you were trying to sublet?”
“Yeah…”
“Did you find a tenant yet?”
“Not yet, as it happens, why?”
“I need somewhere to stay, just for a night.”
“Oh, it’s like that…”
“Shut it, Harkness. Can I use the flat or not?”
“Easy,” Jack says with a laugh, “of course you can. When do you need it?”
“This weekend? I’ll be out of there by Sunday night.”
“Should be all right. The people in the flat next door have a key, they can let you in… I’ll call them, so they know you’re coming.”
“Thanks, mate.”
“Can I ask why you need a place to stay?”
“No, you can’t.”
“Touchy. Give me a call if you need anything else, yeah?”
“Thanks.”
The next call Owen makes is to Toshiko at her office. They arrange to meet at the station at the usual time the next morning.
~~
That Saturday, Toshiko leaves early, having told Andy that she has to visit the Cardiff office, and that it’s important and she couldn’t possibly get anyone else to go.
He looks so earnest that she almost confesses the whole thing right there, but she doesn’t, and makes it to the station. The train journey seems to fly by, and soon they’re pulling into the Cardiff station. The flat Owen’s borrowed from his friend is nearby, so it doesn’t take long to get there.
Once they’re inside and the door’s locked, Toshiko puts her briefcase down on a chair and sighs. “I don’t know if I should be doing this.”
“That’s stupid. Are you happy?”
“Yes.”
“Then this is what you should be doing.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“No problem. What do you want to do?”
“Can we… go out, even if we just walk around? It’s a lovely day…”
“All right.”
~~
They walked around Cardiff for a while, window-shopping and just enjoying the day. Toshiko started to think that maybe she’d been worrying too much, when suddenly all her fears returned when she heard a familiar voice.
“Tosh?”
She fixed a smile on her face and turned to face the speaker. “Gwen, hi… what are you doing here?”
“Oh, just a bit of shopping, you know. You?”
Toshiko froze. “Um… it’s a work thing, this is Mr Harper, he’s up from the London office, I got volunteered to show him around.”
Owen played along, confused. “Nice to meet you,” he said as he shook Gwen’s hand quickly.
“Oh, you too. Well, I’ll see you soon, Tosh, okay?”
“Yeah, fine. Bye…”
As Gwen walked away, Owen leaned closer, whispering, “So, who was that?”
“Gwen Williams. She lives down the street from me.”
“Ah. She knows your husband, then?”
“They used to work together.”
“Oh… maybe we should go back to the flat.”
They hurried back, not speaking again until they were inside. They were standing in the flat’s tiny kitchen when Owen kissed her.
Toshiko broke the kiss first. “I can’t do this.”
“I thought you weren’t happy.”
“I wasn’t. And if things were different, if I wasn’t married, then we could be together.”
“You could get a divorce.”
She paused. “No. No, I can’t. I’m sorry. I… I have to go.” She picked up her briefcase and fled, getting on the first train going the right way. She wept all the way home.
~~
Toshiko put down her pen and rubbed a hand over her eyes. She read over what she’d written, satisfying herself that she hadn’t forgotten anything – not that she would be able to forget any of this.
She sighed, stood up, and walked back to the front room, the letter in her hand.
“Andy?”
He looked up. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing… um… please, read this… If you still want anything to do with me afterwards, I’ll be in the garden.” She handed him the letter.
He took it, bemused. “I…”
“Just read it.” She walked out of the room. Andy watched her go, then looked down at the letter in his hand and started to read.
~~
Half an hour later, he dropped the three sheets of paper onto the coffee table and went outside to the garden.
“Tosh?”
He found her sitting on the swing he’d set up for the girls. “Tosh, are you all right?”
She looked up. “No.” She stood up from the swing. “No, I’m not all right.”
“What you wrote in that letter… that was all real? It all happened?”
“Yes! Of course it did, I wouldn’t have written it otherwise!”
“You haven’t been very happy, have you?”
“No,” she shook her head. “Coming back on the train, I was standing on the platform and I thought, maybe it would be easier if I just stepped off.”
“But something stopped you.”
She nodded. “I knew you and the girls were here waiting for me.”
“And we’ll always be here for you, you know that don’t you?”
“Yeah. I know.”
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Date: 2010-05-13 06:23 am (UTC)