Challenge 682 - Easy truths

[m_findlow]

Title: Easy truths
Character: Jack, OC
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 200 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for Challenge 682 - True/Truth at tw100
Summary: The truth is easiest when you don't have to lie about it. A double drabble.


Sharni stared wide-eyed at the pool of alien congealing on her kitchen floor. It seemed strange to just be sitting here at her kitchen counter, drinking tea with a total stranger and watching as the others from his team began the process of mopping up. She could hardly kick them out since they'd offered to clean it up, could she?

'What was it?' she finally asked.

The handsome man sat on the bar stool next to her, sipped his tea and then looked at her. 'We call it a Qaxl but it's real name is actually unpronounceable by the human tongue. They like to eat human flesh though, so that's a bit of a no-no for us. Sorry about the mess.'

One of the man's teammates scowled, presumably taking umbrage that he should apologise when he wasn't the one having to scrape it up off the linoleum.

'Aliens,' Sharni said, letting the word hang in the air. 'I can't believe you're telling me all this. Wouldn't it be easier to just deny the whole thing?'

Jack grinned reassuringly. 'Lying is fraught with complications. Trust me, the truth is always easier.' Sharni slumped unconscious on the counter. 'And retcon helps, too.'