Chapter Nine

They had made solid progress by the time the sun was high, clearing several boxes and sorting through files. Lisa glanced over at Poul and noticed him holding a folder, his brow furrowed slightly as he read a line on the page. His lips moved silently, and then he read the same line again. And again.

Reality check, she realized with a flicker of amusement. He was already starting to apply the lucid dreaming techniques they’d discussed earlier – questioning his reality by rereading a sentence to make sure it stayed the same. The thought warmed her, knowing he was taking small steps toward reclaiming his mind from the nightmares.

“You know,” she said lightly, “if you’re reading the same thing over and over, it must be riveting.”

Poul blinked, startled from his focus, and then chuckled softly. “Caught me.”

“Old habit already?” she teased, tilting her head as her wings gave a little twitch of approval.

He shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Might as well start somewhere.”

“Good,” she said warmly. “It’s a step.”

For a time, the only sounds in the room were the rustling of papers and the soft thud of files being moved from box to box. The steady rhythm of sorting was almost meditative, grounding them both as they worked.

Lisa stretched her arms and wings, giving Poul a soft nudge with her elbow. “Hey, want to take a break?” she asked, her tone light. “I think I’m getting hungry.”

Poul glanced at the growing piles of files – “keep,” “shred,” and “pending” – and nodded. “Yes, that sounds like a good idea. I think I could use some tea, too,” he admitted, brushing dust from his hands. Standing and reaching to help her up, he managed a grin. “Real tea…not that sweetened abomination you drink.”

She snorted. “What time is it anyway?”

Poul glanced at the window, noting the angle of the sunlight filtering through the drapes. “Just after midday,” he said with quiet certainty.

She chuckled lightly. “I shouldn’t be surprised you know how to tell time by the sun…and not just because I can read your mind.”

“Comes from my fieldwork days,” he admitted, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his voice. “We weren’t always near a timepiece or…or a robot that could give you the time when asked.” He fidgeted a little, clearing his throat. “So we had to rely on what we had. The angle of the sun, the length of shadows. It’s not exact, but it’s enough.”

Hand in hand, they walked into the kitchen. Poul moved toward a drawer in one of the cabinets and pulled out a slim wristwatch with a simple digital display. “Here,” he said quietly. “It’s an older one; nothing fancy, but it works. I don’t use it anymore…the communicator for my job has a built-in chronometer, so…it’s yours if you want it.”

Lisa took the watch, running her fingers over the smooth strap and polished edges. “Thank you,” she said softly, standing on tiptoe to peck his cheek. She slipped it onto her left wrist, adjusting the fit. “This will help. A little piece of your world to carry with me.”

Poul’s lips quirked into a smile. “Just don’t drown it in sweetener.”

She laughed, the sound filling the apartment with warmth. “I make no promises.”

That task handled, they both washed their hands – Poul guaranteeing that her new watch was water resistant – and he busied himself preparing a simple meal, opting for sandwiches and soup. Lisa helped by gathering utensils and setting the table, her movements casual but deliberate. When they finally sat down, the silence between them was companionable but tinged with unspoken thoughts.

Lisa broke the silence as they were finishing their meal. “Poul? If Kaldor is full of so many triggers for you, have you ever thought about moving away?”

He blinked, startled by the question. Setting his cup down, he ran a hand through his hair. “It’s…crossed my mind before,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “When things get bad, it feels like the city is choking me.”

She nodded, encouraging him to continue.

“But,” he said, his gaze dropping to the table, “I wouldn’t know where to go. Kaldor’s all I’ve ever known. And the areas outside the city…” He hesitated. “Even if they’re habitable, they still rely on robots for so much. At least here, I know what to expect.”

Lisa rested her hand on his, her voice soft but firm. “Familiar doesn’t always mean better. Staying here just because it’s what you know…it doesn’t have to be your only option.”

He looked at her, his expression a mix of weariness and gratitude. “I don’t think it’s that simple, Lisa.” He ran his thumb over her fingers. “There’s nowhere on this planet that isn’t touched by robots in some way. It’s difficult, but…I know how to navigate this city. Anywhere else would just be trading one set of problems for another.”

Lisa murmured thoughtfully, “So…faster-than-light travel doesn’t exist here? To get off-world?”

The corners of Poul’s mouth twitched in the beginnings of a smile. “No, it doesn’t.”

Lisa glanced at their entwined hands, her expression thoughtful. “I could bring you to my planet. It’s beautiful, quiet…no robots.” Her lips quirked in a small, bittersweet smile. “But I could only bring you back here. The Gates lead to other worlds, but they’re closely guarded. After Jamie and I used them to search for the Doctor when he was exiled to Earth by the Time Lords…” She hesitated, her wings shifting slightly. “Let’s just say the Guardian wasn’t pleased.”

Poul tilted his head, curiosity flickering through their link. “Guardian?”

She nodded and gently projected an image of the white unicorn stallion with a brown mane, tail, and beard, his half-wooden horn glinting in the sunlight. “Woodhorn. He oversees the Gateways. And he’s…not particularly fond of humans.” Her tone softened with a hint of humor. “And that’s putting it mildly.”

She sighed, her gaze distant for a moment. “I don’t think he’d be thrilled to see me dragging another one through them.”

Poul chuckled, a low, genuine sound. “I suppose that’s for the best, then. Sounds like a headache I’d rather avoid.”

Lisa’s expression softened as she squeezed his hand gently. “What I’m trying to say is…you’re not trapped, Poul. You’ve got me. And we’ll figure out what you need, whether it’s staying here or something else.”

Poul met her gaze, quiet gratitude shining in his eyes. “For now…I think I need to stay. At least here, I know what to expect. Even if it’s difficult.”

Lisa nodded, her wings folding neatly behind her. “Then we’ll take it one day at a time. Together.”

End chapter nine.

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