The Doctor collapsed to the ground, whispering,
"It's gone it's gone... It's gone..." He hung onto the phrase as if it was his life line. Everyone stared at him as if they couldn't think of something else to do but watch the man they'd nearly killed... I'd nearly killed... I felt like I couldn't move, so much... death... I looked down for a moment, surprised to find my clothing dark, and somehow, unfitting even though I'd had no issue with it before... I thought death was... heroic, cool. Even though heroism is for fools, I still thought death would bring some sort of peace, not...
"Shock," I muttered to myself, refusing to believe otherwise and my mother looked up, questioningly. I looked at her once before rushing forward and hugging her. She sucked in a surprised breath and relaxed. At least we'd made it out alive. I released my mum, and she smiled at me, tears in her eyes. I handed her over to dad and they began to whisper. The Doctor lay against a chair and slowly the rest of the passengers retreated to their seats to sit quietly. I glanced back at the screen, the yellow haired girl flickering in my eyes for a moment and I wondered how she knew the Doctor. I leaned up against the chair next to him.
"Is it always this dangerous with you?" I asked him, wondering how he was even alive and he looked up at me with a strange look in his eyes.
"What?" He asked, before continuing, "Well, yeah, but not always like... this... Normally I save people, normally, I help, but... I don't know," he muttered and put his head in his hands.
"Who are you?" I asked and I could see his lips edge up into a small, sad smile as he brought his head back to rest against the chair.
"I'm the Doct-" he began but I waved the answer away.
"No, I mean, really... You aren't just a normal traveler..." I let the question hang, waiting for an explanation. He looked at me, clearly thinking something through and I could see his eyes traveling to my mum and father, slight anger in his gaze. He glanced back to the door and looked away faster than I thought possible to rest his eyes on his shoe. He rubbed the top of it and I remembered the only reason he sat in front of me was because he'd gotten caught. He took a deep breath and looked back at me.
"You're right, I'm not." He murmured clearly not wanting to say more, and looked at me. "You're very observant for a kid your age," he said suddenly. I smiled at him, happy for the praise.
"My favourite show is, well. It's really old now... You probably haven't heard of it." I shrugged but he turned towards me, clearly wanting to know. "I love the Sherlock Holmes screens." I smiled meekly, and he beamed.
"Brilliant works of art, just brilliant, aren't they? Which one do you like the best?" he asked me and I blinked surprised. Most people had forgotten him, ready to watch the new shows and again, I wondered who he was.
"Oh, I love most of them, It's hard to say a favorite."
"Yes, very true, very true."
"Listen, Doctor. I'm sorry. We... I wasn't thinking strait, and I think that everyone would agree with me. We were, scared and we didn't trust you and... I'm sorry." I apologized and the Doctor blinked at me.
"Thanks, it's..." He muttered "Anyway, you were asking who I was, weren't you?" He paused, waiting for a nod before continuing. "Well, I'm not just a regular traveler, I travel in time." He smiled, waiting for a response. I could feel my eyes widening and a small, disbelieving smile spreading across my face.
"Bloody likely." I snorted.
"Oi, I am!" He argued and I laughed again.
"Yeah, I'm sure." I shook my head.
"Well, I could always show you," he offered and I felt myself grow still, surprised at how simply he'd offered.
"Whole of time and space," he whispered and I swallowed, realizing how big of a commitment it must be. Not just a trip, but... The whole of time and space.
"I'll have to ask my mom." I felt myself relying on one of the most basic kid excuses, "I mean, uh, I... Can I think about it?" I asked.
"Sure, we've got about a half-hour before they arrive," he shrugged and looked forward again. I frowned, wondering what I would think about, I was certain I wanted to see the universe, and I couldn't see it unless I went with the Doctor, but... I still could feel my pull to my parents and the few friends I had. I looked over at my mum thinking how can I leave her after this? She sat next to my father, leaning on him as he rubbed her back, a sad smile on their faces. I knew being with them would help but...
"It travels in time," The Doctor reminded me softly, his eyes on my parents. I looked at him, but surprisingly I didn't see any anger.
"Why aren't you angry?" I asked him and he looked at me, raising his eyebrows.
"Should I be?" He replied calmly.
"Yeah, we nearly killed you, and your sitting here offering me a chance of a lifetime, I mean, what's wrong with you?" I asked him. He laughed softly and shook his head.
"Second chances are amazing things, I never thought I'd... After..." He trailed off, his eyes suddenly bright with pain. "Anyway, yeah, I forgive people, and sometimes that's enough to help them and that's all I want. Well, all I want is a nice, polite little trip where no one interfered the first time I take a companion out!" He snorted to himself. "Not likely knowing my luck!" He laughed at himself and again, I was reminded how much danger it would be, but strangely, that only made me more excited. The Doctor smiled at me before turning forward to give me more time to think, but I'd made my choice.
"Yes." I muttered and the Doctor looked back at me. "Yes please, I'd love to." I waited for his response and he smiled.