It was strange noise, that, Madge thought. She had heard it before, she was positive, and his odd countenance came rushing back to her memory. The Caretaker, he had told her he was, but she knew him best as her Space Angel, although she was quite sure she had heard him refer to himself as 'Doctor'.

But she hadn't made a wish…

As the blue police box materialized out of the time vortex in front of her, she couldn't help but wonder what had brought him back, and so soon. Not two days even.

When he stepped out, enveloped in the glowing yellow light coming from the inside of his box, she was surprised to see him wearing exactly the same outfit - down to his maroon bowtie.

"Hello, Caretaker!"

"Um, hello. Yes..well…"

"What's brought you back so soon?"

"I lied. Rule Number one, the Caretaker lies,"

"Lied? About what?"

"Not having any family,"

She waited as he stood, fidgeting in that habitual way of his, constantly moving, never still for a moment, she had noticed in her short acquaintance with him. But this was a nervous sort of movement.

"I'm…married. But she knew I wasn't dead, But she was the only one and-"

"I should hope you told her!" Madge exclaimed, shocked at his admission. If her husband ever let her believe that he was dead…

"Well, long story short, her parents are my most best friends in the whole world, and they didn't know, but she told them, and I went for Christmas," He bit his, lip and looked down, almost ashamedly. "You were right - No one deserves to be alone on Christmas,"

He looked up, just a little, and off into the distance, not at her. Here was a man, so detached, and yet so obviously caring - filled to the brim with love and affection for those around him. So alone, it seemed. Unwilling to grow close.

"They set a place for me every year I was 'dead'. Every year. And I never went back to tell them myself. Two years,"

Madge smiled at him fondly, pitying.

"Thank you, for telling me to go back,"

"You're most welcome,"

"Now, I'd better be going, I don't want them to think that I've run off on Christmas day! And my wife would be most unhappy with me, if I left without saying goodbye…"

And a moment later, he had smiled that impossibly young smile, marred by his aged eyes, waved animatedly, and was gone.

Madge sighed. "Merry Christmas, Space Angel. I hope that you never forget your home, your family,"

A/N:

So.. yes.. belated Christmas fic for Doctor Who, which I just started watching last week(I've seen all of 11 and part of 10). I know that alot of people didn't like the Doctor the Widow and the Wardrobe, but let me say, that I thought it was well done. Matt Smith, as always, for me at least, delivers supremely. This episode shows that The Doctor doesn't always get it right, doesn't always save the day, but is still important. In many ways, since the show began, the Doctor has always been the force that puts into motion the good actions of others.

Mainly, I felt the need to write this, because, well, the last scenes, with Him and Madge, and he and Amy and Rory actually made me cry.

The poor man is so so old, so used to being detached and having to move on, that he can't let himself grow close to those that he loves with all his heart. Somehow, I think that it grows harder for him to manage as he grows older still, and leaves more and more people behind, despite 11's seemingly carefree nature, he is still a very haunted man.

I hope this does justice to the character, as I'm still an infant Whovian, but my heart is with the Doctor all the way.