Beyond The Void || doctor who

Chapter Twelve: The Doctor Dances

"How – how did you do this?"

"With a lot of determination, and a bit of help from a grumpy warlock," he joked, walking back towards her. He leaned over and pressed a few buttons, dimming the illumination from the gravity globe. As he switched a lever, a familiar tune echoed throughout the room, one that Jess had played on the piano some time ago, long before she discovered the Doctor.

"Première Gymnopédie," she whispered, smiling. "I haven't heard this one in years."

"You know this?" the Doctor questioned, returning the gesture.

"Yeah. I used to play the piano; I performed this at a recital when I was six."

He held out his hand, not in a way meaning to go somewhere, but as if he was asking to dance.

"You're kidding, right?"

"What?" he said, pretending to be offended. "I never got a chance to dance last night."

"But – I don't dance." Her voice dropped to decibels below a whisper.

"You do now," he said, grabbing her hands and delicately pulling her to him. She laughed, her head rolling back, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They swayed to the music for a few moments, getting used to the feeling of each other. The Doctor awkwardly spun her, and the laughter began again. Jess raised her toes a bit and rested her head on his shoulder, and he rested his on hers.

"So," he said, interrupting the silence.

"Mhm?" she murmured, her eyes closing.

"You never told me you play the piano."

"Played. Past-tense. And there are a lot of things you don't know about me," she said, matter-of-factly.

"Is that right?" he teased.

She lifted her head so she could look him in the eyes. "Well, I know more about you than you know about me, seeing as you've only known me for about three days, whereas I've known you for years, so yeah, that's right."

He gave a defeated chuckle, but let go of her, running over to the tree. These events happened so fast that it took Jess a moment to comprehend that she should probably follow him.

He reached inside the prickly green mass, and then turned around, holding a small box with a blue – TARDIS blue – bow on top. His shy smile returned as she carefully grabbed it from his hand.

"I know it's not Christmas yet, but .... This is me saying sorry, for earlier today." She gave him a diffident glance, assuring him that it was perfectly okay.

With trembling fingers, she pulled at one end of the ribbon, loosening it and letting it fall. She opened the lid, and not suspecting much, pulled out a folded piece of parchment.

Merry Christmas. Hope you find this useful.

                Doctor x

Jess used all of her willpower not to cry – and especially not to fangirl. Under the paper lay a small, seemingly regular silver key, not unlike the many given to his previous companions. But she couldn't stop the tears this time. Her hands immediately wiped them away, but not before the Doctor saw. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but closed it again, letting her get over whatever state she was in.

"Doctor," she finally whispered, gratitude pouring from her words. "Thank you. You're – I just – thank you." She looked up at him, and he was smiling.

"But, I just have to ask: why me?" She closed the lid and placed it in her pocket.

"Well, who else?" Jess gave him a skeptical look, but the wide smile returned to her face.