Rec: Old Shame by johne

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Story: Old Shame
Author: johne
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 1175
Author's Summary: The Land of Fiction has one last surprise for Zoe and Jamie.
Characters/Pairings: The Doctor (2nd), Zoe Herriot, Jamie McCrimmon
Warnings: None

Recced because: This really is a top-quality piece of Two-fic that also manages to take what might be termed a playful swipe or two at this great pastime that we call fanfiction. A missing scene from the Two story The Mind Robber, this sees Jamie and Zoe have one last unsettling encounter before they manage to make good their escape from the Land of Fiction. Johne, as those of you who have read his stories will know, is an extremely accomplished writer and moreover has a deep appreciation and affection for the characters he is writing here. For me, that is the mark of good fanfic. Jamie and Zoe are excellently drawn, especially Jamie's sense of straightforward devotion and loyalty to his fellow TARDIS crewmembers. And above all, as a reader and writer of fanfic, I know for a fact that I've experienced the feeling Zoe's feeling here - and I bet a great many of you have too. And on top of all that, it's also very funny indeed. I strongly advise all of you to go and read this and leave the author some well-deserved reviews.

"How do you do?" the woman replied, in a rich, seductive voice. "And what brings such a handsome young man come to join me in my lonely vigil? Perhaps you would do me the honour of telling me your name, sir."

Zoe, her face now going bright pink, was staring fixedly at the ground and muttering "No, no, no..."

"James McCrimmon. Uh, call me Jamie. And you are?"

"My name," the woman said, with a sweeping gesture, "is Zuleika."

"Who?"

"Ah, Zuleika Dobson?" the former Master said. "The charming conjurer, who broke the heart of every young man in Oxford?"

Zuleika, if that was her name, gave him the briefest of glances before turning her limpid violet eyes back in Jamie's direction.

"Alas, no," she said. "My name is Zuleika Laurentina Hannacott."

"That's a coincidence," Jamie said, nudging Zoe. "She's got the same initials as you."