> Title: Sarah Jane & The Pheromone Pollen, Part 1: Milkshake
> Rating: PG-13/R.
> Spoilers/WarningsPromises: The Sarah Jane Adventures, “Invasion of the Bane;†any and all hanky-panky in this story happens between consenting adults.
> Characters: Sarah Jane and Luke Smith, Maria and Alan Jackson, Capt. Jack Harkness, minor roles for a couple of one-off characters, and mentioned roles of a few original series characters.
> Summary: Sarah Jane is too mature to be affected by a sci-fi cliché as adolescent as “sex spores†… or is she?
>
> “And you’re sure you weren’t exposed?†Capt. Jack Harkness checked.
>
> “Only her,†Maria Jackson tilted her head toward Sarah Jane Smith.
>
> “What did it look like?†Jack inquired of Sarah Jane.
>
> “A gigantic alien flower, like any dozen others I’ve seen,†Sarah Jane shrugged. “Just before you charged in and chopped it off at the stem, it … dusted me, right in the face, with a cloud so thick I nearly choked.â€Â
>
> Jack pressed his fingers to his earpod. “You got that?†he made his Torchwood team confirm from the other end of the line, before pausing to listen to their assessments. “Yeah, that’s what it sounds like to me, too,†he agreed, before turning back to Sarah Jane. “Standard Class 4 Pheromone Pollen,†he reported offhandedly.
>
> “Should I be concerned?†Sarah Jane tried not to sound too bothered by this casual classification.
>
> “If she’d inhaled any, I’d be worried,†Jack jerked a thumb at Maria. “Pheromone Pollen excites the hormones, but at your age …â€Â
>
> “Oh, well, thank you very much!†Sarah Jane objected.
>
> Jack winced, and laid a soothing hand on her shoulder. “Sarah Jane, you know I don’t mean it like that …â€Â
>
> “Ahem,†Sarah Jane cleared her throat, casting a significant glance at Maria, and causing Jack to remove his hand quickly and stiffen his posture, even as Maria pursed her lips in a knowing smirk. “Um … anyway, Ms. Smith, you shouldn’t suffer from any of its … adverse symptoms …â€Â
>
> “But what’s … Pheromone Pollen supposed to do, anyway?†Maria wondered.
>
> Jack considered how to explain its effects to a 13-year-old girl. “Well, it increases certain … drives, and lowers … inhibitions, I suppose you could say,†he settled on awkwardly.
>
> Maria broke out into a grin, as she heard what Jack was trying not to say. “What, you mean, it turns you into a sex maniac, or something?†she barely kept from giggling.
>
> “Maria Jackson!†Sarah Jane exclaimed in shock.
>
> “Well, she’s not far wrong,†Jack acknowledged.
>
> “You’re in trouble enough as it is, Capt. Harkness,†Sarah Jane pointed her finger at Jack, emphasizing his rank in an acid tone.
>
> “Okay, well, I guess that’s my invitation to leave,†Jack took the hint. “It was good to meet you … Maria, is it?†he waved goodbye, before leaning in close to whisper in Sarah Jane’s ear, “Call me if you need anything else, and … be more careful next time, okay?â€Â
>
> As upset as she told herself she should be, Sarah Jane simply couldn’t stay cross at Jack when he stared at her with such genuinely heartfelt affection. “Okay,†she conceded, sighing with exasperation even as she briefly squeezed his hand in her own.
>
> Maria was beaming when Sarah Jane returned her gaze.
>
> “He’s your boyfriend, isn’t he?†Maria deduced.
>
> Sarah Jane gaped, then allowed herself a small smile. “Not exactly,†she equivocated.
>
> “Oh,†Maria grasped. “You’re friends with benefits, then.â€Â
>
> Sarah Jane shook her head. “What does that mean?†she narrowed her eyes.
>
> Maria rolled her eyes. “You know,†she couldn’t believe someone as worldly and wise as Sarah Jane wasn’t aware of the concept. “Like my mum and Ifan. He’s not really her boyfriend, as much as he’s her friend … with benefits.â€Â
>
> Sarah Jane blinked in realization. “Maria, I do appreciate your inquisitive mind, but this is really not a conversation I feel comfortable having with you …â€Â
>
> “It’s not like I’m asking you if he’s a good shag!†Maria teased.
>
> “That is enough!†Sarah Jane insisted, before her frown softened. “Maria, thank you once again for helping me, but for now, I really do need some time to myself, to recover from our latest adventure. Luke is due home from today’s tutoring session shortly, and I do want to be well-rested enough to mother him properly.â€Â
>
> Maria ducked her head sheepishly. “I wish my mum cared for me as much as you do for him,†she confessed ruefully.
>
> Sarah Jane clucked her tongue sympathetically, and pulled Maria into a tight hug. “You have plenty of people who love you, Maria Jackson,†she reassured the visibly vulnerable young woman before her. “And you know you are always welcome in this house. I just need some peace and quiet for a short while, okay?â€Â
>
> As Maria left, Sarah Jane reflected on the day’s events, and found herself suddenly feeling flush.
>
> Once again, she’d nearly died, and if she had, what would she have had to show for it?
>
> Another eternal boy, who refused to commit to a real romantic relationship with her?
>
> Oh, yes, he was very willing to share physical intimacies with her, which was a step up in one respect from the last immature immortal to whom she’d gotten too close, but in spite of the considerable regard he showed for her welfare, she knew that she would never really matter to him, not any more than any other woman, or man, that he’d seduced.
>
> Why should she be content to spend so much time waiting for her next night with him, when he was spending every other night with someone else?
>
> Sarah Jane took a deep breath, wiped the sweat-soaked bangs off her brow, and began unbuttoning her blouse.
>
> It was high time that she started living for herself …
> __________
>
> Even though Luke Smith was intellectually gifted, his mother knew that he’d need some help to catch up with his classmates, which was why he was attending special tutoring sessions with the Chestertons.
>
> Ian and Barbara, as they insisted he call them, were a kindly old couple who had taught school together for a number of years, and in spite of Luke’s … unique origins, they seemed to understand many of his difficulties with cultural acclimation.
>
> Every once in a while, he overheard them comparing him to a former student of theirs, and while he’d never met Susan Foreman, the way they spoke of her made him feel flattered.
>
> Luke quite liked his summer tutoring sessions, but he didn’t like walking home from them afterwards, even on warm, sunny days like today, because he always wound up followed by Tommy and Daniel.
>
> Tommy and Daniel were two older boys who went to a nearby summer school, and lived just a couple of blocks away from Luke’s house, so every time Luke walked home from the Chestertons’ house, Tommy and Daniel were just getting out of their remedial lessons, and they always made fun of him, all the way home.
>
> Today, they were bragging about the girls they’d “scored†with, and when Luke admitted that he didn’t know what they meant by “scoring,†they laughed even louder.
>
> “I’ll bet Luke doesn’t even like girls!†Tommy mocked.
>
> “But I do like girls,†Luke contradicted gently, confused by his accusation.
>
> “Oh, yeah?†Daniel challenged. “Like who?â€Â
>
> “Maria Jackson,†Luke responded proudly.
>
> “‘Mosquito-Bite’ Maria?†Tommy guffawed. “She’s not even got any tits, you stupid twat!â€Â
>
> “Her mum’s got some jugs on her, though,†Daniel snorted. “Too bad she’s got such snaggleteeth. Still, it’d almost be worth throwing a bag over her head to do your business.â€Â
>
> “Maria is smart and pretty and nice, like my mummy,†Luke protested, feeling his first stirrings of anger.
>
> “Isn’t your mum, like, 60 or something?†Tommy scoffed. “She’s probably got a face like a prune.â€Â
>
> “My mummy is beautiful!†Luke shouted, finally fighting back against his bullies.
>
> “Oh, yeah?†Daniel repeated. “Prove it!â€Â
> __________
>
> “Are you sure she’s all right?†Alan Jackson strode swiftly across the street. “There were all sorts of strange lights and sounds coming from her house again …â€Â
>
> “Dad, she’s fine,†Maria clutched his wrist and all but dug in her heels. “She’s just exhausted, is all. In fact, I think it’d be nice if we could let Luke stay with us for the afternoon.â€Â
>
> Alan slowed down to study his daughter. “You’re getting awfully sweet on that boy, aren’t you?†he cocked his head to the side.
>
> “Trust me, it’s nothing like that,†Maria chafed at her father’s indulgent expression.
>
> Alan shook his head. “All the same, I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t at least check in on her …â€Â
>
> “Check in on whom, may I ask?†a playful voice called out.
>
> Maria gaped and quickly averted her eyes. “Oh my God,†she breathed in embarrassment.
> __________
>
> “Oh my God,†Tommy grinned, as he, Daniel and Luke reached Luke’s house.
>
> “I told you my mummy was beautiful,†Luke reminded Tommy and Daniel, with only the slightest hint of smugness.
> __________
>
> Sarah Jane strolled out onto the street, wearing nothing but sunglasses, sandals, a barely-there red string bikini, and a smile that beamed more brightly than the hot summer sun.
>
> “Hello, Alan,†Sarah Jane greeted him warmly, sipping delicately from the tall glass of iced tea in her hand, before she bent over to set it down on the pavement. “Oooh, you look fit. Have you been working out?†she cast a glance over the lenses of her sunglasses, arching her back as she returned to an upright position.
>
> “I should ask you the same,†Alan swallowed, and struggled not to stare too openly at his neighbor’s nearly nude figure, which was covered with a thin sheen of glistening sweat.
>
> He knew she was at least a decade older than him, but aside from some naturally accruing wrinkles, sags and stretch marks, she was more than slender, and almost athletic, enough to compete with any number of girls who were half what he guessed her age to be.
>
> “Such a sweet young man, complimenting an old woman’s vanity,†Sarah Jane patted him on the cheek, before setting down and turning on the portable stereo in her other hand.
>
> … My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,
> And they’re like,
> It’s better than yours,
> Damn right,
> It’s better than yours,
> I could teach you,
> But I’d have to charge …
>
> As the music blared on, Sarah Jane stood on her tiptoes and stretched her arms above her head, with her hands clasped together, causing Alan to blink as he spotted how … prominent her nipples were, through the thin triangles of fabric on her bikini top.
>
> “What are you doing?†Maria hissed, aghast.
>
> “It’s such a lovely day, I simply couldn’t stand to stay cooped up indoors, like some sort of … shut-in,†Sarah Jane shrugged, before spreading her legs and doubling over to grasp her ankles. “It feels so good to stretch out my muscles … oooh!†she winced, standing up straight and turning to look at her own backside. “I can tell I’ve put on weight since the last time I wore this silly little thing … see? It’s riding right up my bottom!â€Â
>
> Sarah Jane had turned around, so that Alan could see the narrow strip of cloth cutting between her buttocks, although Maria noticed that Sarah Jane had hooked her thumbs under the spaghetti straps tying together her bikini bottoms, so that she could pull them up into a thong.
> __________
>
> “Ain’t you gonna introduce us to your mum, then?†Daniel begged Luke desperately, attracting the attention of Alan, Maria and Sarah Jane.
>
> “Luke!†Sarah Jane enveloped her adopted son in a tender embrace. “You’re getting more and more handsome every day,†she ruffled her fingers through his hair, before kissing him with an elaborate smacking sound on the cheek. “And who are your nice-looking young friends?â€Â
>
> “I’m Tommy, and he’s Daniel, and we’re, like, his best friends, Mrs. Smith!†Tommy gushed.
>
> “It’s Ms. Smith,†Sarah Jane informed them with a grin. “I don’t have a husband.â€Â
>
> “You want us to do chores for you?†Daniel blurted out. “I mean, we could mow the lawn, or wash your car, or do anything else outside …â€Â
>
> “Yeah!†Tommy caught on. “A busy lady like you shouldn’t spend so much time working. You should get to lie outside, in a lawn chair, or on a towel, and sun yourself, until you’re nice and tan, all over …â€Â
>
> “We could even help you put on some suntan lotion, if you like,†Daniel added eagerly.
>
> “What a fine pair of young gentlemen you are,†Sarah Jane couldn’t help but chuckle, before lowering her eyelids appraisingly. “I can only hope you’re as considerate toward my son …â€Â
>
> “Huh?†Tommy squinted, before his eyes went wide. “Oh, yeah! From now on, any favors Luke wants, he gets, right?†he prompted Daniel with a swat on the shoulder.
>
> “Oh, you bet!†Daniel promised, in a rare moment of sincerity. “We’ll make sure no one messes about with him.â€Â
>
> “Mm,†Sarah Jane nodded approvingly. “In the meantime, I seem to recall you two promising to do some work around the house for me,†she tapped both boys on their noses with the tip of her finger.
>
> As Tommy and Daniel rushed off to grab garden hoses and gardening tools from Sarah Jane’s garage, Alan affected a casual air that Maria recognized as one of his more obvious attempts to act cool. “You know, Maria,†he suggested, deliberately trying to sound like it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, “I think you’re quite right. I don’t think it’s often that either one of us sees our constantly on-the-go Ms. Smith just … kicking back and relaxing, so why don’t you invite Luke over for TV dinners, and you two can … you know, play, or socialize as you like, while I’ll … help Sarah Jane, in supervising her volunteer work crew, I guess you could call them, over at her place …â€Â
>
> “Such a chivalrous bunch of strapping young men,†Sarah Jane raised her eyebrows, before inhaling sharply with guilt. “Oh, Luke!†she pouted her lips pleadingly. “Would you mind terribly?â€Â
>
> “It’s all right,†Luke assented cheerfully. “I like being around Maria. And I like it when you’re happy.â€Â
>
> “Come on, then, you,†Sarah Jane hooked her arm around Alan’s, and retrieved her iced tea as he carried her stereo. “Let’s put those big, strong hands of yours to constructive use, shall we?†she winked at him, drawing a glare from Maria.
>
> To be continued …?
|
|
