Worry, mostly

Her future self had hurried off by the time Sally went back again, absconding with a change of clothes Sally kept at the back in case of any accidents or spills. Leaving her with even less of a clue as to what the hell was going to happen to her.

With everything at the shop sorted, she went home quickly. It was at least comforting to be somewhere private, her apartment door locked and no view of the street full of people that would have seen her streak down it.

That was until she remembered her normal evening routine.

She generally liked to shower at the end of the day. It was a habit born of all the days she'd spent wandering the abandoned areas of the city, needing to wash off all the grime and dirt she accumulated, but even now she spent more time at the shop it was habit. Just a nice way to begin the evening, clean and refreshed-

And she'd have to be naked to do it. After what she'd seen she half-expected a Weeping Angel to jump out her shower and send her back a few hours before she could reach her towel. But equally she couldn't just keep her clothes on indefinitely, she'd need to wash, need to change...

"If I keep an eye out," she muttered.

She tentatively pulled her shirt off, making sure the door was closed behind her. She glanced around again, making extra sure, before discarding her bra too. Her jeans and socks were next, and then finally her panties.

She stood awkwardly in her bathroom, half-expecting some magic flash of light. When nothing happened she started the water running.

"Ok, if anyone's watching, you can just keep away ok?" she said into the darkness.

She crossed her arms, self-conscious. While the water warmed up she nervously walked over to the window, opening it a crack to let the steam out before hastily stepping back. No sign of any Angels jumping in through it at least.

When she turned towards the shower, she hesitated again.

Her future self hadn't had wet hair, or seemed particularly wet. That could mean she'd be safe, or it could mean she'd be outside for long enough to dry before she made it to the shop. Outside, and in the same state as when Sally had seen her. That was...

Sally's cheeks warmed at the thought. She hesitated, staring at the trickling water, still keeping her arms crossed over her chest even if she was sure she was alone.

This was ridiculous. She couldn't keep second-guessing herself at every turn, that was no way to live. For all she knew it could be weeks before she ended up as the version of herself she'd seen, and her future self was off in a motel somewhere.

Or it could be five seconds.

Maybe she should just hurry. Or shower in a bathing suit, that would kind of work. Or...

No, damn it, she was pretty sure time didn't work like that. She'd hardly become an expert on paradoxes, but everything she'd seen when dealing with the Weeping Angels seemed to imply things were fixed. If she saw herself naked, then inevitably she was going to end up like that no matter what she tried to prevent it. If she didn't, then she wouldn't be able to prevent it.

The best she could do was work to lessen the impending embarrassment. Though how to do that, she didn't know.

Swallowing, Sally took a step forwards and into the shower, letting the water cascade over her, soaking into her hair as well. Whatever happened would happen. She'd end up naked in the middle of the street.

She closed her eyes, half-expecting an Angel to appear in the shower when she opened them. But, no, still alone, still waiting.