THE SWAN SONG

Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes that he also believes to be true

Demosthenes


The Forgotten Important Day

Who...who am I? Where...where am I? Do I...do I know you?

She was staring up at a blank white ceiling as she laid on a clean white bed, her clothes were sagging round her and she had no recollection of who she was, where she came from or who the people around her were.

"...then I shall stay with her" a feminine voice said furiously. "On Earth, I did it before"

"Oh yes what a wonderful job you did, now how many times had Torchwood One kidnap her exactly?" a male's voice said sarcastically.

"Don't make me slap you" the woman hissed.

"Mum...Dad...please don't fight" a younger male voice pleaded, the voice was closer and it was then that she realised someone was holding her hand. "Alex Rose has been through enough"

Alex Rose...is that...is that who she is?

"You're right JJ" the older man said softly. "Too much. Too many visions, too many kidnappings, too many rapes and battles and god knows what else, but now she is a clean slate, literally and instead of trying to bring back what was there...we should write a new story"

"You mean...?" the woman whispered.

"Find her a home, give her a family she would have wanted, let her have a brand new start" the man said confirming the woman's voice.

"Don't we get a say in this?" another woman's voice snapped.

"Yeah Doc, after all this is my goddaughter" an American voice added. There was no reply, only the sound of wrappers ruffling as someone began to prepare something. "Whoa...what are you planning with Mr Big, Sharp and Pointy over there?"

"She needs to go to sleep" the first man said calmly. "There's enough in this to knock her out for a couple days when she wakes up she'll no longer be empty. She'll have memories, a name, a family, an identity"

"What family? We are her family!" the second female voice shouted. "Rose, do something, this is your daughter!"

"The Doctor...knows best Donna, he'll find the perfect family and she'll be happy" the first woman said sorrowfully. "I love her so much and I want the best..."

A muffled sob and muttered curse. "JJ hold her down" the person holding her hand moved his hand upwards and pinned her arm down, she felt a stabbing of pain but nothing worth crying over as she felt drowsy and sleepy...

"You got to let her go JJ; she's needs to be free"

"But she promised me..."

She succumbed to the darkness.

Carly woke up. She was lying on top of a clean white bed in a clean, blank white room. Denise sat there clutching her hand between both of hers looking terrified.

"Oh thank god" Denise whispered, her breath kissing Carly's skin. "I was afraid I was going to lose you too"

Carly smiled weakly. "I'm fine; it was just a headache, nothing else" Denise let go of Carly's hand and flicked Carly's forehead. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Don't nothing else me Carly Wicks; I'm the only one on this boat that knows you have that allergy!" Denise shouted. "What would happen if some stupid medic gave you aspirin? You could have died!"

Carly said nothing when she was suddenly squashed by a rib breaking hug from Denise, she knew the lose of her father was making Denise slightly clingy, especially since Denise had opted to leave her own daughters behind. Feeling insecure herself and never remembering proper motherly affection from her own mother, Carly leaned into Denise and tried to block out the fact her hair was getting wet from Denise's tears.

DWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDW

It's been a month since they got on the cruise boat. They had already been through the Mediterranean stopping at certain countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Greece and its islands, Turkey and Cyprus. Carly had refused out right to get off of the boat when it stopped at Cyprus even though it was a low possibility she refused to have a chance meeting with her ex husband.

While the countries and events had helped keep their mind off of Kevin Wicks, Carly often woke up to Denise's sobbing and has often woken up the next morning to find her own pillow covered in tears. Neither woman could bring themselves to scatter his ashes anywhere in the Mediterranean, the cruise was going to end soon it would go through the Red Sea, through the Pacific Ocean briefly before stopping in the South China Sea where they had the choice of getting a plane back home from China or go somewhere else.

While seeing the sights and enjoying the local cuisine, relaxing in the spa and swimming in the pool was enjoyable for Carly there was one other factor that really ruined the trip. That made it difficult to mourn her father and move on with life.

Denise's overprotective attitude.

The slightest wince or daydream and she would immediately put a hand to Carly's forehead asking her rapid questions about her health. Does she feel another headache coming along? Does she want to lie down in their cabin? Have an ice water? Need any paracetmol?

It had gotten to the point where Carly would snap at the woman while shoving the hand off her forehead. Causing Denise to snap back and a fight to begin.

It always ended the same as well. Carly apologising to Denise because she knew her father would be disappointed in her for being rude to the woman.

She's starting to think her father will forever rule her actions from the grave.

DWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDW

"There you are!" Denise exclaimed. "I was worried you fell over board or something"

"No, I'm here safe and sound" Carly said smiling weakly before turning back to look at the beautiful large sunset. "Just admiring the view"

"It's beautiful" Denise agreed stepping to Carly's side.

"Do you know what day it is?" Carly asked.

"February the Third" Denise answered.

Carly nodded. "Important day today" she said calmly and quietly, her gaze moving down to the sparkling blue green ocean.

"How come?"

Carly frowned thoughtfully as she struggled to remember why today was so important. "I think it's someone's birthday...someone who used to be close to me..."

For one moment Carly swore her reflection in the ocean changed, her blonde hair turned to short crazy brown with a blue streak on the side, and her brown eyes turned to sparkly golden amber. She shook her head and the reflection was back to normal.

"It's nothing" she said firmly. "I'm being silly. Nothing is wrong and today isn't important"

Denise looked at her with a worried expression but chose not to say anything.

DWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDW

It was February the Third. Jack was finally back (and cursing the Doctor's terrible driving skills), Rose and Donna were visiting and Jackie Tyler also came with 21 years worth of little presents. Everyone sat in the pub nearby the Hub laughing their heads off at Owen's latest embarrassing antics.

"To JJ and Alex Rose" Jack shouted over the laughter holding his glass up. "Happy Birthday kids"

"Happy Birthday" everyone chanted cheerfully.

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