[locked against those with anti-wanderer sentiment][backdated]

[narrated]

I am certain that many of you have heard about the deaths that took place in the church this morning. I know with certainty that the Chicago police are investigating. In addition, Torchwood, your Police Force, and other groups that care about the well being of this city will be investigating.

I know that it's scary in these times, but we're doing all that we can in our power to help. If you have any information about these attacks or you saw anything or were there in the church, please, let one of us know as soon as you can. You may have seen something important without realizing.

If you have any questions or concerns, let me know. I'm always here to speak to anyone about anything that they may be going through. In addition, I know for certain the Wanderer Police Force is always looking for people who may be able to lend a hand.

[locked to Torchwood, Wanderer Police Force, and Crowbar and Wes, naturally.]

I saw the bodies.

There was no messages as we're used to when it comes to CLF. Granted, they've been quiet lately, but every reincarnation of that group usually means big messy kills with messages scribed nearby.

It was messy, big. It was meant to attract attention.

It could be CLF. It could be any number of people or groups or a random murder. This is Chicago after all.

As you all know, the church was a little well known in the city for its message. Many wanderers went there. I recommended it to them, because I knew the message that was shared.

If we've any theories, honestly, we should all talk amongst ourselves, I feel, so don't simply lock your responses to me.

Comments

[narrated]

[It was absolutely the best decision that she has ever made. Martha has been far less stressed since they did so, since they had a place where she could be herself.

The responsibility isn't here. There are responsibilities to the people that she considers her family, but they are wholly different to what she feels at the Tower with so many people under her care.

There is a family that she's made, that they've made for themselves here, and she watches out for them as well, but she does so as a person, as Martha and not Martha Jones.

It's made so much difference.]

I'm always getting nostalgic. It's around that time of year. Well, not really. As of August, I've been here for four years. I think I've room to be nostalgic.

[Martha smiles a bit, hardly believing it, and she laughs.] It was very, very strange, but it ended up working out as it should. Almost enough to make me believe that the Rift sometimes knows what it's doing.

[It did at least with them.] That's... very good. Granted, it was only two murders... in this city, that's hardly anything. It's a shame still, but it will take even more than that to get people really jittery.

[smokeblowsblack.livejournal.com]

[Wes is grateful that they can have that distance from the Tower, as fiercely protective as they've all become over it, as much as she has become the figurehead for Wanderers as a whole.

She needed something to re-build for herself, as Martha, and not Martha Jones, leader of the wanderers.

He's aware of all the reasons why she hadn't done so previously, why she would've been gunshy. She lost her whole family in one fell swoop but Wes is determined to not let that happen again.

Somehow. He honestly believes he can make that be so.]

... Well hell. Four whole years? Wish you'd said somethin' then. Reckon that's worth celebratin'. [His voice sounds kind of awed and he ... is, frankly.

Four years is a long, long time. Especially for a Wanderer.] I gotta tell you it's made me believe the same thing. Sometimes. Not all the times, mind you. But sometimes. Can't really remember what life was like before... well, all of this.

[He has honestly been more stable than he has his whole life. Since he lost his own family.] We're all made of tougher skin than that. Still a damn shame. Crueler even the way it was done, where it was done.

[Wes is a believer, after all, and that it happened in a church ruffles his feathers.]

[narrated]

[Martha is very protective over the Tower, over everyone that lives in that Tower too. It's a really helpless thing.

She needed this home more than she could have known when she suggested it, but it isn't something that she would have been ready for until that moment that she did suggest it.

The last time that she had a home, yes, her entire family wasn't there one day, simply disappeared into thin air one day leaving nothing behind. It was too difficult to even begin to imagine setting another home up only for it to slip from her fingers.

BAW, WES. ;___; rjkeal;]

Four whole years. [She laughs.] Honestly, it slipped by me like that. We can still celebrate if we'd like, celebrate at the 4.5 mark or at this mark if we'd rather. [Martha smiles over at him at the sound of his voice.

It's a long time though Lena has been here longer than she has.] I'm grateful it's made you believe it too. No, not all the time, not in a city like this one, but... I can't...

I can barely remember it myself.

[And it wasn't as long ago for her, but it does seem strange to think of her life before she had him as her guardian. Back when she was married, back when she had that other family. Now she has a new one with him that she's equally determined to keep safe.] It is. It's a terrible loss, and I never want to not feel like it's terrible... when someone's murdered.

I'll admit that that was the first time that I've seen anyone murdered in a church. Takes on a new level of terrible, doesn't it? [She has a small sip from her coffee mug. It's made just the way that she likes it. Martha really does have the best guardian, k?]

[smokeblowsblack.livejournal.com]

[Wes has become protective of the Tower himself.

For a while, he lived there too, even if he wasn't a Wanderer, and he grew close to the people there, started up the patrol committee after everything needed to be built back up.

It would be impossible not to grow attached, not when one sees everything they go through, how many times they have to re-build, how they make their own home here against all possible reasons. Wes isn't a wanderer, but the person whose life he cares about most is, the leader of them, and he will always look out for their best interests.

It's his fight too, in that sense.]

That's amazing, darlin', and it's certainly something that should be celebrated. It's no small feat you've pulled off there. [He smiles back at her, warmly and filled with fondness, and starts pouring her a cup of coffee, just the way she likes it, naturally.]

It's a comfort, though. Knowing that sometimes, very rarely but sometimes, it gets it right. For whatever reason.

[It is very weird to think about, and Wes never did meet any of those people that were so integral to her everyday life. He can only be relieved that she's allowed herself to let others in, to build herself a new home, and he'll fight for it just as fiercely.] I wouldn't, either. Means we've lost the humanity that separates us from 'em.

Sure does. They certainly wanted to send a message. Just not sure why... and exactly what.

[Daw, he's super pleased she likes the coffee, okay. Super pleased c:]

[narrated]

[Martha knows that he has. She loves him very much, thinks that he is one of the very best people that she has ever met.

He is protective of so much, always hopes, always tries, always wants to keep people safe even the ones that he doesn't know well, and Wes is also one of the wisest people that she's ever met.

In fact, she thinks that he might be the wisest person that she ever has, the one who knows best how to think of others. The Doctor was smart, incredibly intelligent, but Wes is wise and he knows people and he knows how to take care of them. It's an incredibly valuable skill.]

Thank you very much. It... feels... like something. I don't know that it feels amazing, but it feels good. Yes, there's... a notable difference there. [Martha shakes her head, but she's smiling back at him, with just as much warmth and fondness.]

Yeah, it is. Being here as long as I have, I certainly take those comforts, don't let loosen my grip on them. I'm grateful to have you, Wes. Don't ever let yourself think differently.

[They'll fight for it together, and there's comfort in that too.] As long as I've got breath in me, I'll be fighting for us to keep that humanity though I don't think we can be blamed if we ever lose it a bit.

With what goes on here, it'd only be understandable, but they... definitely wanted to send a message, get a reaction.

[Of course, he knows her well ;; and knows how she likes her coffee. c: AND she probably knows how he likes his too. :x]

[smokeblowsblack.livejournal.com]

[Daw, Wes loves her very much, too. ;;

It honestly goes beyond the guardian and goes right down to the bones of the man himself. They have been through a world and a half together. They've seen very dark times and stood over many remains when they thought it might just be the last time, and then they find it isn't.

He is never not thankful for the second chances they have gotten, for the second chances that she has allowed for herself. Wes does not want to think of what would've happened if she hadn't done so, if he had given up when he thought that was that.

They wouldn't have the home they do, he reckons.]

Whatever it feels like, it's one hell of an accomplishment in my book. You're one of the veterans in this wanderin' world, Martha. That's something that shouldn't go uncelebrated.

[He smiles at her.] That goes both ways, darlin', and I don't think I could ever believe differently.

[Not after what they've been through and all they've shared together. It would be impossible to, and the connection they have only fortifies that belief because he feels it from her, he does.] No, I know. It'd be unrealistic to think you don't lose bits and pieces of ya after all you see.

But we still gotta fight for what's left.

[Daw! She totally does, even if Wes is a man of simple tastes and he likes his coffee just black. ;x]

Well, they certainly got it. Both the message and the reaction. We got a lot of people on it, though. If there's something to be found, it'll be found.

[narrated]

[BAW, they love each other very much, and it is the best.

It's the type of thing that really connects you to another person, and Martha knows that she couldn't-- she doesn't think that is a loss that she could take, losing Wes.

She has survived so much loss but not that. Martha hates even imagining it but it's hard not to think about that when living in Chicago, when living the lives that they have both led.

Where so many people die or disappear while they remain.]

Well, thank you very much. It's good to have that accomplishment under my belt, and I would love to celebrate it even if it's a few months late. Throw a big party at our home.

[Martha smiles. It's good to be able to say home.] I will keep that in mind, and I wouldn't want you to believe differently. I'd have to level a displeasing look your way, give you a good lecturing.

[They have been through so, so much, and she has been broken time and time again, and they're here now with a happier existence. Granted, there's still stress and worries and pain, but they've made something amazing for themselves and for the kids living here too.] It would be unrealistic, and we've been through enough that, I don't.. try to act as though I'm the same as I was before.

There's plenty left to fight with still.

[LMFAO WELL SHE WOULD KNOW THIS. 8| And other favorites and things about him, k?]

That's... what I'm hoping. In the meantime, we've got a stalker to deal with on the home front.

[Slight smile as she shakes her head.] Ever had a stalker before?

[smokeblowsblack.livejournal.com]

Better late than never. It's the thought that will count, and I think the others will want to celebrate it for you as it is. Can't hold out on 'em with a party, can ya?

[Wes smirks, as he knows that's going to be more of an incentive, and the others would want to chip in.

Martha wouldn't have to prepare or be at the helm of anything. They'd all take care of the dinner and such, since she is the one that is being celebrated and she is the one that's usually hosting the events and making sure they're running smoothly.

It'll be nice to have her sit back and just have the rest do the work.]

Darlin', you forget who you're talkin' to. That displeasing look might be formidable to just about anyone else, but after all this time, it ain't got nothing on me, I'm afraid.

Though I'd never believe differently.

[Wes nods, listening to her carefully, without any sort of inkling that there's sympathy or whatnot. He understands, and he was there, and they can talk about it, or rather, she can talk about it freely without worrying about his reaction.]

It ain't easy, but in the end, it's all we can do. Let ourselves change since it's not somethin' we can avoid.

[They are defined powerfully by definitive experiences, and what she has been through for four years is nothing if not definitive. Which doesn't mean she will stop growing and changing. That kind of thing is never static.]

... No, I have not. [Small, humorless snort.] Been hit on persistently, I suppose you could say, but never that kinda intensity.

Poor kid.

[narrated]

No, I would never dream of holding out on you or anyone else when a party is involved. It could be quite a bit of fun, and we could have the party whenever we'd like.

[Martha smiles, and it is... more of an incentive, yes. There's always reason to party in Chicago, and whenever there is reason, it's important to take it, to enjoy life while they have the opportunity, to relax and to not be stressed.

And it will be strange but not in a bad way for someone else to plan an event while she sits back and has no part of it.

However, it is exactly what should happen. ;;]

I didn't forget. I simply like to pretend that my displeased look still has an effect on you after all this time. It takes away from the strength of it to think otherwise.

But I'm glad to hear it so my illusion doesn't have to be shattered about how effective my displeased look is when it comes to you.

[Martha knows that she's safe to talk about that with him, and it's why she's able to do so so easily. Wes has seen her at her worst, has seen her at her best too. There's no real secrets between them at this point after all they've been through.]

Yeah, it isn't something that we can avoid, and I wouldn't want to avoid it. Even though we sometimes change for the worse, we frequently change for the better and we always change to meet the situation that we're currently in.

It's necessary. Without it, we wouldn't be able to adapt and if we couldn't adapt, we wouldn't be able to survive.

[Nothing ever stays the same. It's something that can be counted on.]

[Martha raises an eyebrow as she looks at him. She did see him shirtless.] I have no doubts at all you've been hit on persistently, incredibly persistently.

I have as well, but... no, I can't say I'm experienced with this either. First the loincloths, second the stalker... she did refer to his loincloth as majestic so I suppose the two situations are weirdly connected.

[smokeblowsblack.livejournal.com]

I didn't think you would and honestly, you'd be holding out on yourself. Been a while since we had a reason to celebrate somethin', and I agree it could be some much needed fun.

[There's been a lot of reasons as to why they've been busy, been stressed, been worried about everything and then some. It doesn't exactly give them time to sit back and think about things like the anniversary, things they could do to celebrate.

But they should always make the time.

It's also part of being a family, part of what they've been building, and he wouldn't want to not give them that.

They deserve it.]

Ah! [And he bites back a grin.] In that case, I'll pretend that it still has an effect on me. If it helps any, it's still as formidable now as it was back when I first met ya and it sure as hell had an effect on me then.

No illusions have to be shattered, darlin'.

[Wes does not keep anything from her, no. They're a team, in as many ways as two people could possibly be a team, and they've taken on parental roles to four teenagers that were in much need of it. The foundation that they've made lends to talking about things easily.

Even that which he wouldn't be able to talk about with anyone else.

He trusts her implicitly.]

It's a good way to look at it. Reckon I hadn't thought of it like that. Ya change and you become what you have to do survive the situation you're in. For better or worse. Can't stay exactly the same and I don't think I'd want to.

So we can survive and later we can have more.

[Life isn't just about surviving after all, and that's a lesson they've both learned in their own way.

He's learned some lessons, too.]

I have no doubts that you have as well, and I'd have to give anyone a talking to if they tried again. [He's... teasing. Sort of. Wes is a very protective sort, and he really doesn't doubt she still gets hit on frequently.

Once a guardian, always a guardian.]

Apparently she met him that night, not that he had any idea of it. I'm gonna keep digging for info til I get a name. If she's got parents living with her, anyone living with her, I'll be gettin' some more answers.

Can't have her unsettlin' the poor kid like that for too long.

[narrated]

There's always a reason to party in Chicago. I feel like every day that you survive is one more day to celebrate so this would be an even bigger reason for celebration.

[Martha is smiling at him, and she does like the idea of having a party to celebrate how much time she has been here. It should be a celebration even if there are times when it feels heavy, when it feels weighted and like it was much, much too long.

It's a celebration, and she's happy to be where she is now, she's happy to have the family that she does.

They do deserve it, all of them.]

Good. [Martha peers at him closely as she can tell he is biting back a grin.] Glad to hear it then. That does help quite a bit, and you can go on pretending and I will as well that my formidable, disapproving look has all the effect on you still.

Thank you. I like keeping my illusions crystal clear.

[She keeps nothing from him either. It's about being a team. It's about working together to take care of four teens that needed it desperately. They have been through a countless amount, and Martha knows there is nothing that she would feel she had to hide from him.

It's better when he knows, and they can work on whatever it is together.

Even in her darkest hours earlier this year, she didn't keep a moment of it from him.]

That's exactly it in the end. You survive but you do more than survive. Adapting, changing helps you to do more than survive as the world around you changes, and the people change too.

If nothing ever changed, people wouldn't be able to change how they felt about each other. It would all be static.

[And it would be boring and meaningless. Nothing would ever get worse but it wouldn't get better either.

It's no way to live.]

I'd... almost like to see that... honestly. [Martha laughs since she knows he's teasing. mostly. It is really hilarious imagery in a way.

As any sane person would be terrified of incurring Wes' wrath.]

For the record, I'd give anyone incessantly hitting on you a talking to as well. If necessary. [Also hilarious imagery.]

Sounds good to me, because yeah, she has to be living somewhere and has to have money and means to wear the clothes she does and make... those brownies for instance.

No, we can't. He has his senior year to worry about, and it's unsettled Elena along with him understandably so. We'll get to the bottom of it, I'm certain.

[smokeblowsblack.livejournal.com]

And Thanksgiving's just around the corner. I'm sure we could pile on the celebrations all into one big celebration.

[DAW. Fambly. ;;

Four years would feel like much too long for anyone. There are those that haven't even been here a year and it's felt like much longer, has made them age, has made them wearier, has had them carrying a much heavier load than they did before they ever fell through.

It's a testament to her own strength of will, how much she's survived, how much she's rebuilt, despite the losses.

Wes is very, very proud of her.]

I've no problem with that. Just keep in mind I am an angel and as such, there's only so much pretending I'm allowed to do that can be believable, but I will try my best, and make an exception, because this is you we're talking about.

Only way to keep 'em, darlin'.

[Wes still remembers the look of both David and Anne, both Jeremy and Elena, before they moved in officially, the two sets. It does him a great deal of good to see them now, more comfortably into the house, more secure of their place in it.

That they can give them something to a semblance of a home is what he's wanted, and he'd be grateful to know that it can be for them.

They're real young, terribly young, but they've been through so much it can be possible to forget.

When you're that young, it shouldn't be just about growing up.

It should also be about just being young, and they should get to have that.]

We've both changed a lot in our time here, haven't we?

I almost can't remember bein' the way I was before I stayed here for good. Just kinda seems like a different person, honestly.

[Wes laughs at her own laughter, and shakes his head.]

If it ever happens someday, I wouldn't hide it from ya.

[But no, Wes isn't someone that people would immediately think to cross. Just because of his sheer size, and how he can be when he's legitimately pissed off.

He's like a calm, but very deep river.

Once a storm comes over, it can drown a whole village.]

... Now I'd like to see that. [Hilarious and adorable.]

Well, the good thing about that damn journal entry is we have her full name, if nothing else. It'll get us looking into where she could live, or where she used to live. If she studies somewhere.

[He sighs and leans back.] Yeah, we will. I'd hate to see them have to worry about this for any longer, on top of everything else.

We'll handle it.

[narrated]

It would honestly be the biggest celebration that there could be. An entire week of celebrating, is that too much?

...no, couldn't be.

[BAW Famby and baw Wes. ;;

Martha definitely feels that he is proud of her though she hardly feels like surviving should be such an accomplishment. Then again, it truly is in this city, and she's so happy to have survived this long, to have lived and made a family for herself.

Instead of succumbing to some serious darkness that could have taken over her.]

Thank you. I know how hard it is for you to pretend being an angel and all so I appreciate the effort and exception made for me, Wes. I truly, truly do.

You're a cut above the rest.

[Martha remembers that too. Anytime that she might feel discouraged in her own life and in her own work, she remembers how they have changed since they moved into the house.

It helps to be a solid, constant reminder that she has done good, is doing it currently even if the rest is falling apart in her hands at times. There are four teenagers who are better served by having a home of their own, a stable place.

They should get to have that, and she's happy they have family, a home here in this house with her and Wes.]

We have honestly changed quite a bit even in the time that we've known each other. If we'd just looked at that time, it would be... amazing.

Yeah, I can hardly remember who I was when I fell through, but the important thing is that a lot of the things I loved about that woman are still here.

[Still a part of her, it's nearly a miracle in a city like this.]

Glad to know that, because I really would like to see it.

[It would be entertaining to her. She might have to break out the popcorn. Obviously, she is fairly good at telling people off herself, but for the sheer entertainment value... and for the fact that Wes is scary to most when he's angry...

Yes, that would be rather entertaining.

The persistent person would likely piss their pants frankly.]

I'm sure you would. If I ever see it, I'd be more than happy to do so. [SERIOUSLY, so hilarious and adorable.]

That's absolutely true. It's the best start that we can think of. She may be home schooled. Jeremy says she doesn't go to the high school here, but there should be records of her somewhere.

[Martha nods in agreement.] Quite a bit going on as is without adding anything else.

But we will.

We always do. [And there's a fond but small smile on her face as she looks at him.]