Cross-posting from AO3
Notes: Honestly I was just wanting to write a Doctor Who oneshot and I just wrote whatever. Sorry for the definite OOC of characters because I've only seen up to the end of the season with the 12th Doctor and Clara and Danny. The beginning is supposed to be set between Clara and Bill, but idk where it went after that lol.
I didn't use (Y/n) that much, but it is used. I try to not use it too much, but I still used it. Also the planet and people of the planet are all made up. I also looked up trivia questions, but the Coraline one is actually something I learned myself.
Anyways, this was purely for the fun of it. So please don't hate.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
"Don't touch that! Stop being such a pudding brain!" I roll my eyes at the insult. I'm used to it after traveling with the timelord for so many years now. I'm not even sure how many at this point, but I know how many faces. Though there was a period of time after Donna that I wasn't traveling with the Doctor; he had kicked me out. Of course upon meeting his new face, the one with a bit of a pointy chin, he apologized for leaving me for so long.
So I've gotten used to all of his different mannerisms, especially his insults whenever his companions, myself included, don't listen to him. Sometimes, with this new face, he can be rude for no reason. Especially now that Clara is gone and it's just the two of us. Yet I don't blame him, but it does frustrate me at times. Mostly because it feels like he doesn't trust me whenever I do something considering I've been his longest companion so far; that I'm aware.
"Look Doc, I know what I'm doing. Now shut up and let me pilot the TARDIS in peace." This wasn't the first time I've piloted the spaceship, but that never stopped him from complaining about my piloting skills. "I would if you-" I let out a dramatically loud sigh. "I swear I try to do something nice and I get treated like an incompetent child." This resulted in a grunt of annoyance from him.
I know he's just trying to be helpful, but he definitely needs to work on his tone. "Just trust me Doc." I say as I glance at him briefly before focusing on piloting the TARDIS. Luckily this ended up with him actually shutting up for the remainder of my piloting; which is a lot smoother than his, but I was taught by River, who knows how to actually teach someone how to pilot the TARDIS. The silence gave me a chance to focus and get to our destination quicker than I expected.
"We're here." I tell him as I make sure the parking brake is on and anything else to make sure that nothing will happen while we're parked. "When and where exactly are we?" I quickly grab the monitor that would answer his question and pull it over to me before he can. "That would ruin the surprise." He just gives me that look that is a mix of annoyance and grump. "Don't worry Doc. I had help from the TARDIS when picking the place. I definitely trust her so I know it's not any place bad. So go on, go see where we are."
He softly sighs and relents, going over to the door and opening it. "Are you going to just stay here or...?" I let go of the monitor and grab my bag off the nearby chair, slip it over my shoulder, before rushing over to the Doctor. We exit the TARDIS and find ourselves on what looks to be a mostly humanoid planet.
The sky is filled with a soft orangish red color with lavender clouds that float about along with a rose pink sun. The streets are filled with a mix of medieval and modern buildings that looked to be incorporating both times into one. There are occasionally bits of flora that are shades of green, similar to that on earth but not quite the same. The planet's residents are of different shades of soft pastels, but the most common color is seafoam green. The clothes they wore kept the renaissance era style while mixing it with a more modern day style. I quickly noticed that the outfits were mostly androgynous, which really made the styles of the outfits pop better.
"So Doc, what do you think?" I ask as I look at him; hopeful that he likes the destination, but the look on his face says otherwise. "Why would you choose Mithonia? It's a planet stuck between two vastly different time points in a metaphorical sense. Sure, the technology is far more advanced than that of Earth, but most planets are far more technologically advanced than that planet you call home. You really thought that I'd-"
"I read that it's a pretty passive planet, which means that it's unlikely you can cause any trouble while we're here. Plus I read there was this contest to prove who the smartest person on the planet and anyone, from Mithonia or anywhere else, is allowed to enter the contest. I know you like proving that you're the smartest person in the world so I thought you'd enjoy it."
The look that he gave me made it difficult to tell what he was thinking, but eventually he just nodded. "It's not going to be much of a contest if I enter." I softly snort at his comment. "If you think that then you should enter." The corner of his mouth quirked up a bit into a smirk. "I will." I nod and let him lead the way as always whenever we visit a new planet.
It didn't take long for us to find where the contest was going to be held and where to sign up for it. Upon reaching the signup sheet we learned that we had to answer a question in order to enter the contest, which holds the theme of the questions that would be asked during the contest. It seemed that not many were able to answer the question, but when the Doctor and I were shown the question I couldn't help the snort that came out of me. The question itself wasn't funny, but the fact that it's like a first grade level question from Earth made it funny.
"What species of bird were Skipper, Rico, Private and Kowalski in the movie Madagascar? That's seriously the question? Is the theme for the contest Earth?" The person that gave us the question nodded. "Yes. Earth is the theme of this year's contest."
"That's a pretty easy question."
"Not for Mithonians."
"Well, what is the answer?"
"Penguins." Both the Doctor and I said at the same time. I didn't mean to answer the question, but it was just so easy. "Correct. You both have been registered for the contest. Please put these on and make your way over to the line over there by the stage to get your numbers. From there you will await further instructions." The person handed us two metal bracelets that had a small screen on them, but it was currently blank. I was about to say that I hadn't meant to enter the contest, but the Doctor grabbed both of the bracelets and walked off towards the line before I could even get a word in.
I quickly follow after him and catch up to him in time to have him toss the second bracelet to me, which I catch. "Doc, I didn't mean to enter." He nods as he puts on his bracelet, which lit up and quickly scanned him. The screen on the bracelet displayed his species, age and the name he goes by. "I know, but at least I'll have some competition. Now put your bracelet on." I sigh softly and just do as he says. It does the same thing as his did, which I found rather cool. Though this did mean I'll either be perceived as a threat or just a dumb human that couldn't possibly make it through the whole contest.
We reached the line by the stage which had seven other people, mostly Mithonians but there was a few CatKind among them. I was surprised to see them, but they're probably from humankind's future. The Mithonian that was a part of the ones organizing the contest stole my attention as they gave the Doctor and I a number. He got eight and I got nine, which I found a bit funny since we first met when he was on his ninth face. I almost made that comment to him, but one more Mithonian joined the line and became number ten; this led us to all being escorted onto the stage.
We were all instructed to stand in certain spots around a podium and given buzzers before the rules were explained to us, which were like the rules for any game show I've seen on Earth. We all waited until another Mithonian came onto stage followed by loud cheering, signaling that the contest was starting. "Welcome everyone to the contest to see who here is intelligent enough to gain the title of Most Intelligent Being of The Universe! I'm your host Houdine! Let's meet our contestants for this year's contest!" Houdine made his way around the circle the ten of us made and had us each introduce ourselves. Number one is Mytha, number two is Kindo, number three is Lyra, number four is Besto, number five is Odine, number six is Wallace, number seven is Gura, number eight is the Doctor, I'm number nine, and number ten is Kathy. Mytha, Kindo, Besto, and Gura are Mythonians and Lyra, Wallace and Kathy are CatKind.
"Alright! With the introductions out of the way we can get to the fun!" Houdine says before pressing some buttons on the podium. I felt the ground below me shake a bit before floating up. "Whoa!" I wobble as I'm lifted into the air, but it seems that there is a barrier around me to keep me from falling off. I look around to see that everyone is at different heights with the platform that holds Houdine and the podium are up the highest. I look over at the Doctor, who gives me a reassuring look that everything is fine. I softly sigh as I turn my attention back to Houdine.
"Now let's get started. The first question is an easy one, what disease can be caused by a lack of Vitamin C?"
I wanted to buzz in, but I wasn't sure if my answer was correct and I'm not about to see what happens when you get answer incorrect. It seemed the Doctor had a similar line of thinking when it came to learning what happens to someone if they answer incorrectly since it wasn't actually explained to us.
That's when someone buzzed in. "Besto." I looked at the Mithonian as they stood confidently. "The answer is obviously Chicken pox! Besto knows best!" I internally cringed at the fact that Besto just referred to themself in the third person. "Ooo, sorry, but that's incorrect." Houdine says before pressing a button on his podium, which sends a controlled electric shock to Besto. I gasped softly at the punishment for answering incorrectly. It seemed that Besto wasn't that fazed by it, but something like that could be deadly to someone like me.
"Now! Who knows the correct answer?" Mytha buzzed in next. "It's scurvy. Duh." She says, sounding similar to one of those teen girls that act like they know everything. A ding sounded as the crowd cheered. "Last year's champion showing how it's done!"
I was starting to regret this whole trip now. Especially this contest. As much fun game shows can be, this is something else. A deadly trivia game, which reminds me of the time Rose, Jack, the Doctor and I ended up in different variety shows. I got lucky compared to the others that day, even though I ended up in an outfit I'd never wear ever again.
"Onto the next question. Another easy one, which country is famous for the fast-food chain 'Jollibee'?"
Once again I felt like I knew the answer, but doubted myself. I couldn't risk getting electrocuted over an easy question. However, as luck would have it, I accidentally buzzed in a second before Mytha did. "Looks like the human just beat Mytha buzzing in by a millisecond." I felt my whole body tense up as all the attention was on me. "The Philippines...?" I answered in a hopeful yet scared tone. "That..is..correct!" Houdine says as a ding fills the air. I let out a sigh of relief. That was more stressful than it should've been.
It went on like this for a few more rounds. It seemed that after three shocks you were eliminated from the contest. Soon it resulted in just the Doctor, Mytha, Lyra and myself. Mytha and the Doctor had the most correctly answered questions, but that didn't seem to matter since I'm still in the contest despite answering the least amount of questions. Though that's because the questions seemed to get increasingly harder; not even a native of Earth could answer all of them correctly.
"Now onto our next question. Who penned the words, 'Hubble, bubble toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble'?"
Against my better judgment I decided to buzz in. "William Shakespeare." I say before Houdine even has a chance to address me. A ding fills the air. "That's correct. Though I do ask you to refrain from answering before I address you." I just nod because I know that it was to have everyone go in order of who buzzed in first, but I was the only one who even buzzed in.
"Which sporting event was BBC2's first ever color transmission in 1967?"
Lyra buzzed in and answered, but she was incorrect. It would've been fine if it wasn't her last incorrect answer. I closed my eyes as I covered my ears to avoid seeing and hearing the reaction to the third electric shock. Once I was sure it was over I opened my eyes and slowly removed my hands from my ears as Mytha buzzed in and answered correctly. I ended up staying quiet as more questions were asked.
The Doctor and Mytha competed against each other to get the questions. It was going well until the Doctor received his third strike. My heart sunk upon seeing that it was just me and Mytha left. I couldn't believe I had lasted this long by not answering questions out of fear of being killed by the electric shocks. I looked down to where the Doctor and the rest of the contestants that failed were to make sure he's okay. He gives me a thumbs up since I can't exactly see the expression on his face from how high up I am.
"Onto our final two. As everyone knows, all the points before now didn't matter. Instead it was to weed out the smug overly confident idiots from the true intellects. Clearly Mytha has the answers to the questions, but her opponent seems to understand how to refrain from answering questions they don't know. However, not answering a question because of fear of getting it wrong is not allowed. Instead each one of you will be asked ten questions, whoever answers the most wins the whole contest. Will Mytha reclaim her title or will she lose it to the shy human?"
The crowd roared to life after Houdine's question. I could hear them all rooting for Mytha, but honestly I don't blame them. I'd root for her too if I wasn't facing against her myself and if she wasn't facing against the Doctor. Mytha didn't seem to care about the crowd; instead she was grinning at me as if she knew I was going to lose. That's when I heard the Doctor shouting from below words of encouragement for me, which gave me a sense of ease.
"Alright, alright, settle down! First question of the final round, what is the last letter of the Greek-" I quickly buzz in before the sentence is finished, which surprises Houdine. He addresses me signaling for me to answer. "Omega." There was silence for a second then a ding sounded out. "Correct. Next question, Iceland diverted roads to avoid disturbing communities of what?" There's a beat of silence before both Mytha and I buzz in, but luckily I buzzed in first. "Elves." Another ding and another correct answer under my belt. In all honesty that was a guess, but I'm glad it was correct.
It went back and forth like this between us until we were tied with five correct answers each. This seemed to be a first, for both myself and this contest, but they did have some extra questions just in case there was a need to create a tie-breaker. I honestly don't know what could be asked. There's so many kinds of questions that could be asked and I'd be lucky to either know it or just guess the answer. Especially considering there have been questions that I couldn't possibly know the answer to because of being about events from my future. I just hope I win purely to not experience the punishment of losing because apparently there's a punishment for losing that is worse than the shocks everyone else has experienced.
"Seeing that both of our contestants here have equal points we will be bringing out the most difficult question we have to answer because it is so niche that only a few could ever answer. Get ready contestants, fail this question and you know what'll happen. Your question is, which character of the dark fantasy children's literature book Coraline was solely created for the movie adaptation, but is not featured in the book?"
I was caught off guard by the question; not because it was a difficult question, just not expected. I know the answer, but I didn't think it'd be qualified as a tie-breaker question. Maybe my standards for a tie-breaker question is different from their standards. Maybe Coraline isn't that popular here. I don't know, but I do know I did learn the fact after seeing the movie so it's possible that it's not that common of knowledge.
My thoughts were cut off by the sound of Mytha buzzing in, followed by Houdine addressing her. "The cat?" Houdine turned his attention to me, not even bothering to confirm if she's correct or not. "Do you have a guess?"
"Wybie. He was made for the movie to make it seem less scary for young audiences." Houdine grinned at my answer, it almost looked like he wanted me to be correct. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!" He says before pushing some buttons on his podium. The platform underneath Mytha dematerialized and sent the poor girl plummeting to the ground. My eyes widened in surprise as I wanted to reach out and save her from falling, but I couldn't. All I could do was watch as she landed smack on the ground. However, instead of dying or even being remotely hurt by the fall Mytha got up and acted like she didn't just fall from a high height; instead she acted as if she wasn't bothered about losing despite being annoyed about it.
The next few moments went by in a blur as I tried just wrapping my head around what just happened and how that easily could've been me. I didn't care about the stupid title I just won or how happy everyone seemed to be for me being able to win. All I could think about was how I could've died if I lost that tie-breaker. It wasn't until I was in the Doctor's arms did my mind finally settle because the Doctor isn't one for hugs. When I came out of my head I could register the many voices complaining about how dangerous that punishment could be for anyone who isn't a Mithonian.
I look up at the Doctor, as he yells at Houdine for being a pudding brain, and noticed that under all that anger and annoyance with the Mithonian there is fear, concern, and relief; which I figured were meant for me. "Doc." My voice brought a sudden stop to his yelling as it gained his attention. "Can we go home now?" He gave me a sad smile and a small nod. "Of course."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
It didn't take us long to get back to the TARDIS, but it was a rather quiet trek back; minus all of the congrats I got from the Mithonians that we'd pass. Even as we entered the TARDIS it was quiet between us. All that could be heard were the noises of the spaceship and the Doctor moving about to pilot us away from the planet. It didn't take long to notice that once we were off the planet that he was putting in new coordinates to take us somewhere new.
"Doc, where are we going?" He didn't say anything as continued maneuvering around the console. I put my bag down on one of the chairs before walking over to the console to stop whatever he was doing. "Doctor. Where are we going?" Once again he said nothing, but when he made his way over to where I was standing to flip a switch or something I grabbed his hand preventing him from doing whatever he planned on doing. He sent me a glare as he pulled his hand out of my grasp. "I'm taking you home."
"What?" In my moment of confusion the timelord took the opportunity to continue what he had been doing. "You wanted to go home so I'm taking you home." It didn't take much to connect the dots in my head to figure out that he had misunderstood my comment to go home. "You daft old man. I said-"
"I know what you said."
"Seriously? Because it looks like you're," I stop in front of the monitor that displays something in Gallifreyan, "bringing me back to Earth." I look at him as he pushes the monitor away from me while standing close to me. "Yes, because that's your home." I softly sigh as I gently place my hand on his cheek. "Doc, that hasn't been my home in years. I have nothing there anymore. You should know this by now."
"Then what could possibly be your home then?"
"For someone so smart you can be incredibly stupid at times." He frowns and goes to remove my hand from his face, but I remove it before he can. "I'm not trying to insult you here Doc, but I've been living here in the TARDIS for years now. This is my home. Sure, I technically have my own house from that time between your tenth and eleventh face when you left me on Earth, but I'm pretty sure I didn't ever keep anything important there. Maybe some memories, but those'll always exist in my mind. But that's not the point. What I'm getting at is this is my home. Being here in the TARDIS with you is my home."
There was a moment of silence as the Doctor stared at me, just trying to figure out if my words were true. "Plus I asked if we could go home, not if I could go home." Still there was just silence before he turned away from me. "When did you learn to read Gallifreyan?" I softly snort as he starts fiddling with the controls of the console once again. "Is that really all you took away from this?" I watch a small smirk graces his lips and decide to just go with it.
"Well if you must know, I taught myself the language of the timelords sometime during your tenth face. I thought that if I was going to travel with you I'd learn your native language the best I can. Especially in case I had to pilot the TARDIS without you around. I'm still learning it so I'm a bit slow with writing and reading the language and I only currently know three phrases. The TARDIS has been helping me out the best she can since I was planning on surprising you when I was confident with pronunciations."
"Oh? What phrases do you know?" I bit my lip as I contemplated saying them, but decided that he'd probably pester me until I did anyway. I started with the simple phrases first, which were 'Greetings, my name is (Y/n)' and 'Until we meet again', since they were the equivalents of hellos and goodbyes. He seemed rather impressed with my pronunciations, but seemed to notice my hesitation with the last phrase. "You've done wonderfully so far. I'm sure you'll be able to say the last phrase with ease."
Despite his words of encouragement I was still nervous to say it, but said it; my eyes were closed so I didn't have to see his reaction. The phrase I said was the equivalent of 'I love you', but if it was translated into English it'd roughly be 'I would give up all of my regenerations to keep your life in mine'; which means a lot to a timelord.
Upon only hearing silence I slowly open my eyes to find the Doctor unmoving while staring straight at me. I could practically see the cogs in his brain turning as we had a staring match. I broke eye contact first as I debated on saying anything; my face most likely as red as a tomato at this point. Finally after what felt like forever, when in reality it was probably a minute maybe less, the silence was broken.
"What?"
Sure it wasn't the response I was expecting, but it was way better than him completely shutting himself off from me. So I decided to repeat the statement, but got cut off by him. "No, no. I heard you. What, why... Why would you learn how to say that? When..when would you ever use that phrase?"
"Well, I, um..." I keep my gaze anywhere that wasn't him and I emote with my hands as I try to come up with an excuse on why I'd possibly need to know that phrase without admitting the truth to him. I've spent all of these years pretending I hadn't fallen in love with him and yet it all was for nothing now that I had shown that I had taught myself how to say 'I love you' in his native language. I know that this face isn't good with feelings, only recently have I been able to get positive emotions and feelings out of him, and I go basically confessing my feelings by showing off what I've learned.
"I thought it was sweet and it shows how much your people were willing to sacrifice for the ones they loved. I know it's not the only form of I love you that there is, since there's many forms of love, but I'm still practicing and learning those. I know I wouldn't have any reason to know how to say I love you in any context, but I just thought it'd be best to be thorough with learning a pretty dead language. Especially if I somehow for some reason ended up in the past on Gallifrey and I didn't have you there I'd be able to get around without messing up and find my way back to you. Even though the likelihood of that is improbable, but who knows considering we do the impossible on a daily basis. I-"
"(Y/n)." My rambling comes to a halt as I'm cut off, which is for the best. Who knows what else was likely to slip out without realizing it. "Look at me." I did as he asked, but only for a second. A soft sigh escapes from him before I feel his hands being placed on my cheeks and gently turning my head so we're face to face. We have a slight staring contest, which he wins when I glance down at his lips and quickly look away from him the best I can.
"I see." He lets his hands slip from my cheeks. "I should drop you back off at your-"
"No! I am not leaving you! We can just pretend this never happened if it means you don't abandon me! Please!" I grab his hands to keep him from moving too far away. I couldn't lose him and the TARDIS. They're all I have left. "Please, Doc. I'll pretend to see you like a friend as I've done before." He shakes his head as he slips his hands out of mine. "Go pack your things." My bottom lip wobbles a bit as I glare at him while doing my best not to cry. "Fine." I quickly spin on my heel and head off up the stairs to the rest of the TARDIS.
I went straight to my room, with the help of the TARDIS, and did exactly as he told me to. I didn't pack everything, mostly because I didn't have the space to keep every little trinket I've obtained over the years of spending traveling with the Doctor, but I did pack the essentials and some small trinkets that would fit in the bag that I had brought the second time I became a resident of the spaceship. The ship hummed as she could do nothing to stop me. I could tell she was trying to comfort me, but I looked up at the glow-in-the-dark star-covered ceiling of my room with a slight shake of my head. "I'm so sorry old girl. I should've just kept my mouth shut. Now I'm losing my whole universe. I'm going to miss you both." She just hummed in response, sounding despondent in a way. I just silently nod as I gently touch the closest wall before leaving my room with my bag of things and make my way back to the console room.
"I made sure to put us just a few days after I last picked you up from your home. You won't have to worry about somehow running into your past self here." I just nod as I walk over to my other bag sitting on a chair near the doors of the TARDIS. "I hope you aren't alone for long. You don't do well when you're alone." I say as I grab my second bag and head towards the TARDIS doors. I turn to look at the Doctor one last time and say goodbye in Gallifreyan. He said nothing, but I expected as much. I turn back around and pull open the doors; taking a step out onto the pavement of the town that I had once called home.
As soon as I was out of the TARDIS and heading towards the small home I had in the village I could hear the sounds of the ship I had once called home leaving. I bite down on my bottom lip in an attempt to hold back the tears that threatened to escape. Shakily inhaling and exhaling I make it to the front door. I place down one of my bags and dig into the other one, soon retrieving the ring of keys I kept. There were only two keys on it, one for the house and the other for the TARDIS. I stuck the key for the house into the lock and unlocked the place I'll have to be calling home from now on.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
I decided to move back to where I lived once before with Rose and Jackie. I used the busyness of the place to occupy my time and mind. Sure, it would bring up old memories, but I'd rather those than the ones in that other place. There were even times when people who had known Rose and Jackie would give me looks of sympathy any time they recognized me as the adopted daughter of Jackie or the third Tyler girl that lived in council estate. I didn't ever think much about those looks because I knew that Jackie and Rose are safe in a different universe.
"Excuse me, Miss Tyler?" I stopped just outside of my door, having just unlocked the door, and turned my head to the direction of the voice of a young woman. Upon looking in the direction I spotted more than one person, a woman and two men. "Yes. How may I help you?" The young woman glanced at her companions with a look of uncertainty before returning her gaze to me. "Would you happen to know someone by the name Doc-"
"Sorry, but I'll be no help to you. I'd suggest going and finding a woman named Sarah-Jane Smith. She'd be able to help you." I turned my attention back to my door and started opening it. "If that's all you can be on your way." I walk through the front door of my home, but hear a quick 'wait!' as I go to close the door behind me. I let out an exasperated sigh before turning around to face the group outside the door. This is when I actually notice the woman the two men are holding up. Against my better judgment and all rational thought I move out of the way before motioning for the group to enter.
Swiftly the group entered and I instructed the two men to take the unconscious woman to my room and place her onto my bed. After closing the door and locking the door I make my way to my room where the blonde woman is laid upon my bed. "Explain." I command, but in a soft tone as I approach the bed. "We don't know what happened. She was fine one second then she started slurring her words before passing onto the floor of the console room. We tried figuring out what to do while the TARDIS started piloting herself. I popped out once we landed to see where we were, but I didn't understand so the TARDIS did what she could to lead us to you. We don't know how you can help, but you're our only hope because we're utterly clueless here."
"So instead of having you three take her to the infirmary the TARDIS brought you all here..." I shake my head as I start examining the woman that I could safely assume is the Doctor with a new face. It didn't take long for me to figure out what was ailing her. "Space flu."
"Space flu?"
"Yes. It's similar to the flu we have on Earth, but from space. She'll be fine. Maybe a few days, a week at max, or so she'll be stuck on bedrest. It'll probably just annoy her more than anything since she'll have to rest and eat more than she's used to."
"What should we do then?"
"Well, one of you could go back to the TARDIS and check the infirmary for any medicine for space flu. Other than that let her rest and make sure she doesn't leave my place. Not like she'll have the energy to do so." The group nodded and assigned jobs amongst themselves. I decided to go to the kitchen and work on making some tea and soup for my unexpected guests. As I stood there waiting I pulled out the necklace I've always worn and started fiddling with the key at the end of the chain. It was silly to wear the TARDIS key on a chain like a necklace, but it allowed me to keep a piece of my true home close to my heart.
"So, you were a previous companion of hers..." I glanced at the young woman that seemed to be leading the trio while the Doctor was out of commission. "Yes. Four different faces, six other companions give or take a few that only joined for a few trips. Many years spent by her side." I gave no further information as I dealt with what I was making. "I'm Yaz, by the way. The other two are Ryan and Graham. We-"
"No offense Yaz, but I don't need to know. As soon as she gets better you all will leave and never come back." I couldn't help the bitter undertone in my voice. As much time has passed I couldn't get over the loss of all I had left in the universe then it comes back just when I think I'm starting to move on. "You-" I sent Yaz a pointed look that caused her to shut up. "If you want to be useful Yaz, stay here and make sure the soup doesn't burn." Before she could even make a comment I left the kitchen and went back into my bedroom where the elder man was making sure the Doctor was comfortable despite being unconscious.
He glances at and gives me a nod before leaving the two of us alone. I was grateful, but at the same time I wasn't sure what I was going to do now that I'm all alone with the person that broke my heart. I started to pace around my room while fiddling with the TARDIS key as I have a mental battle with myself over helping the Doctor after all this time. I should've just made them leave. I should've said no. I should've stood my ground and ignored them. Yet I know I could never do that. I know deep in my poorly pieced together heart that I could never turn away anyone in need of help.
"Ngh... Stars? No... Just a star-covered ceiling..."
I stop my pacing and mental battle with myself upon hearing her voice; it was different from her last one, but it's fitting with this face. Hesitantly I make my way over to the side of the bed and sit down on the free space near the edge. "You're awake and aware of your surroundings, that's good." She tilted her head to the side as her attention became solely focused on me. "Am I? Because I think I'm still dreaming if you're here." I roll my eyes at her words before placing a hand on her forehead, checking to see how warm it is. "One of your companions has gone to retrieve some medicine from the infirmary of the TARDIS. Once he's back you're going to take it and you will get some rest."
"'s not needed. I can-" That's when she started coughing. I helped her sit up in hopes of allowing more air into her lungs. Luckily it brought an end to the coughing fit. "If I wasn't allowed to go running about when I got sick you're not allowed to. If you even try to weasel your way out of getting better we will stop you." I had to look away as she pouted; mentally cursing myself for thinking she looked cute.
"Hey, I got the medicine and the soup you were making." I look at the young man, who I assumed is Ryan, and nod. He brought a tray over with the soup, some tea and the medicine on it. I'm guessing Yaz must've found the tray to put the soup and tea on for when it was done. I took the tray from his hands and carefully placed it onto the Doctor's lap. "First your medicine, second the soup then lastly sleep. Got it?" She just nods and complies to my orders.
We were left alone once again, but I didn't care. I wasn't planning on getting close with the trio and I was just making sure the Doctor actually eats the soup and gets rest. So far she was doing everything she's supposed to be without any complaint, which is honestly strange for her or at least the Doctor I know. "Okay, why aren't you fighting me on this? You're always being a stubborn oldman whenever it comes to doing anything others tell you to do."
"Firstly, it's stubborn oldwoman now. Secondly, why should I fight you on this? You're just caring for me. Like old times."
"Heh, last time I tried caring for you I got kicked out of my home and forced to exist on a planet that has nothing left for me. Just like old times." She sighs as she places the spoon down in the bowl of soup. "You know that's not what I'm talking about."
"Oh really? Because what other time could you mean. After all, it was the one time I truly told you how much I cared for you and you just kicked me to the curb because you couldn't handle letting someone in after what happened to River. No, what happened to Rose because no one could ever live up to her. After she got stuck in a different universe you swore off love until River."
"That's not true."
"Not true? Not true?! I have sacrificed my heart for years for others! Every single one of those you fell in love with I kept quiet about my own damn feelings because when you truly love someone you let them go! You let them be happy with others while you die inside every single day because you can't lose them! Then after all everything you've done to keep from losing the person you love with every fiber of your being takes your heart and shatters it into millions of pieces because they have walls around their hearts and won't let anyone in!"
I hadn't even realized when I stood up or when the others had peaked in to see what all the shouting was about, but I didn't care as I walked out of my room. I mumbled something about going out and left the flat. I didn't go far, just right outside of the flat. I leaned my back against the small wall as I ran a hand through my hair. I knew I overreacted, but it just all came out and I couldn't seem to bring myself to stop. "She's sick and I yell at her for leaving me. Some friend I am."
The door to my flat opens and the older man exits. He closes the door and joins my side. "Loving someone isn't always easy. Especially for someone who's lived as long as the Doctor has."
"I know. I just..she.. It's complicated!" I run a hand down my face as I try to calm down. "I'm so mad at her. I want to hate her so badly, but I can't. She's done so much for me that I could never hate her. Even with her breaking my heart. I still love her so much." I softly sigh and I close my eyes as my hand falls down to my side. "When River died she told me that the Doctor isn't always the best with showing his love, but when he does it's always in meaningful ways... I just have to keep my eyes open to catch them. I guess I didn't do too well with keeping my eyes open to catch them and if I did I wasn't paying well enough attention."
"Sometimes we don't notice everything that the ones we love do until they're gone, but you can't let that cut yourself off from others or the chance of letting love back in."
"Wise words from a wise man." He softly chuckles. "You could say that." I open my eyes and let out a sigh. "I should go apologize for yelling. As much as I want her to know I'm still hurting, but yelling at her while she's sick isn't right." Graham just gives me a nod as I head back inside.
I walk over to the door, but stop right outside of it as I hear the other three's voices talking. I just shake my head and knock on the door, deciding eavesdropping would just make things worse. The voices stopped after the knock so I chose to just enter my room. "Hey, um, can I have a word with her alone?" Ryan and Yaz exchange a look with the Doctor, who just nods. The two leave the room, taking the tray with them, which leaves air of tension in the room.
I make sure the door is closed before making my way over to the Doctor and taking a seat on the empty space beside her on the bed. "Doc, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for snapping at you like that. You were just trying to make things easy and I just got overly emotional and started shouting and I-" She gently grabs one of my flailing hands and brings my run on sentence to an end. "(Y/n), it's okay." I open my mouth to counter her claim, but she shakes her head. "Let's not start another argument."
"Fine Doc, but this doesn't mean I'm dropping the subject. Once you're healthy again we will talk about this." She just nods before a yawn escapes her lips. "It's time for you to get some rest."
"'m fine. I don't need sleep. You know that timelords can go without-"
"Sleep longer than humans. Yes, I know. You've told me. However, you're sick and the only way for you to get better sooner you need to get some rest." She pouts once again. "Stop that."
"Stop what?"
"Being cute like that."
There's a second of silence before either of us realize what I just said. My face heated up while a smile made its way onto hers. "You think I'm cute?" I roll my eyes as I try to force her to lay down. "Shut up and go to sleep." She didn't really fight it, but the smile never left her face. "Only if you stay here until I fall asleep." I gently push some hair out of her face and tuck it behind her ear. "Of course. I'll even be here when you wake up." She softly hums in contentment as her eyes slowly close. "I'd have it no other way..."
And just like I said I was there when she woke up. I was there every time she went to sleep and woke up. At least when I wasn't off at work. Luckily the strain of space flu wasn't contagious to humans. And just as I predicted she was back to her peak health within a week. However, the group didn't leave right away when the Doctor was better. Instead she insisted on waiting a few more days to be absolutely sure. I could tell she was just using that as an excuse to not leave. Especially after the long talk the two of us had, which extended to the rest of the group since I had been unjustly rude to them for the most part of their stay at my flat.
Now marked the twelfth day of the Doctor and the Fam's stay at my flat. As much as I didn't want to kick them out I couldn't just let them stay any longer. I knew this would leave to the Doctor trying to convince me to join her again, but I had to reject her offer. She could always visit again for old times sake to fix the rift between us.
"Alright Doc, it's time for you and the Fam to get back to your adventures. I know you've been itching to get going and seeing the universe through the eyes of your companions." The Doctor stopped her search around my room for whatever she was looking for and looked right at me. "Ah, yes. I suppose I have stayed longer than I should have. How about I take you on one last trip as a thank you for everything you've done for me? Just one."
"Just one is always followed by another and another until I'm just traveling with you with no intent of returning back to my time any time soon."
"Yes, that tends to be true. But! I promise just one trip. After that no more. Unless you ask for them, but I won't make you."
"Doc, you and I both know that one trip is all you need to hook me back on traveling with you." She sighs softly as her shoulders droop. "Come here." I motion to her and pat the empty space beside me on my bed. She complies and takes a seat beside me. I gently grab her hand and draw a certain set of circles onto her palm. "Gallifreyan... You still remember it after all of this time?"
"Of course. Who knows when I'll need it. Especially if I somehow for some reason ended up in the past on Gallifrey and I didn't have you there I'd be able to get around without messing up and find my way back to you." She lightly laughs before saying something in Gallifreyan that I recognize as one of the few phrases I had learned. I stared at her in surprise that she actually said it. "It's okay if you don't believe me, but I will do what I can to show you that I mean it. Even if that means letting you go."
"One last trip."
"Huh?"
"One last trip as a thank you for taking care of you." A wide grin finds its way onto her face before she stands up and pulls me up with her. "Alright! One last trip! It'll be the best trip ever! Oh where to go, where to go... Ooo! How about Barcelona? The planet, not the city. No how about-"
"Whoa there Doc, slow down. How about we go talk to the Fam about this before we go around deciding where we're going. Especially since they'll be there with us."
"Right, right. Sorry. I just got excited to travel with you again. Plus I have to make this the best trip ever since it's your last trip."
"Mhm... Say, before we go talk with the Fam, what have you been trying to find in my room?"
"Hm? Oh. You left with a key to the TARDIS and I wanted to make sure it didn't get lost. There's only so many of thos-"
"Pft, like I'd lose something so important to me. It's the key to my home, why would I let it get lost." Using my free hand I pull on the chain around my neck out from under my shirt to reveal the TARDIS key. "I keep it on me at all times. Well, most of the time. I usually take it off when I sleep and shower. Other than that I'm usually wearing it. If I'm not, it's on my nightstand where I can see it."
"Good, good. Well then, let's go talk to the Fam about a thank you trip!" I softly snort as I shake my head while the Doctor drags me out of my room. I know that this 'one trip' will lead to me traveling with her once again, but I don't care. If I cared that I'd be dragged back into the lifestyle I couldn't give up I would've gotten rid of any hints of the Doctor from my life. Maybe now, maybe this time I'll actually get to be the one on the receiving end of her love. For now I'll just take it one day at a time and see what'll happen.