Unless There's Children Crying

by mtlumination

A collection of 11th Doctor short stories involving plots with children of all ages. WIP - Ongoing Quotes of inspiration: "You never interfere in the affairs of other peoples or planets... unless there's children crying." "When we're holding on to something precious, we run. We run and run fast as we can. And we don't stop running until we are out from under the shadows."

1. Flowers In the Attic

Author Note: My first one-shot. Part of an Eleventh Doctor collection i'm writing. This is the first in the collection. I hope you all enjoy it. And yes I'm aware that the title is the same as a book/movie. The title is what hit me and gave me inspiration for this story concept. Please read and review! (Originally released on my deviantart only. But I decided to share here too.)

The little girl lived in a city of metal, built within the space of a vast spaceship. She'd never seen Earth, the home that humanity originated on. She'd never walked in the grass, or looked up into the bright blue sky or touched and smelt a real flower. She spent all her days in the attic of her home dreaming and wondering what it would be like to see a flower in real life.

One day a vase of flowers appeared on her table in the attic. Every week for the rest of her life a new vase of flowers arrived on that same table near her rocking chair by the window. Many times she left her magical visitor notes and once a week that note was replaced with a new bouquet of flowers.

When she had grown older and her time had come for the next adventure she rested herself in the rocker by the window in the attic and waited. A blue box magically appeared deep in the corner of the attic, wind stirring the blanket on the now old woman's lap.

The Doctor kneeled before her, a vase of fresh flowers tucked in his arm, and he lifted the note now clutched lightly in her hand. He opened the note and read:

When I was a little girl I dreamed of grass. I dreamed of rain and clouds and a blue sky. When I was a little girl I dreamed of flowers, of their brightly colored petals and what they might smell like, feel like to touch. And then one day the magic flowers appeared. Over and over they came through the years giving life to those dreams.

I don't know who you are and I don't know where you're from but you made a little girl's dreams come true. And if you are reading this note then I am no longer dreaming. I am living. Right now I am walking through a field of all the flowers you've given me. The sun is shining and the sky is the bluest of blue. And I don't know who you are and I don't know where you're from but I want you to know…

I love you,

Lily