Author's Note:
Hello! Welcome to the beginning of my one-shot collections involving the Doctor and (my OC) Minerva Souza. The following one-shots will either be certain scenes that aren't included in their actual stories (Next Stop Everywhere, Star-Crossed, & future to come) or AU plots. I will notify which is which at the start of each chapter. Each chapter will vary in length; it will depend on the idea or plot I have.
The following is a one-shot of the moment when Minerva & the Doctor met Leonardo Da Vinci.
For any readers of the actual stories concerning the pair above, this moment would be set after The Runaway Bride and before Smith & Jones.
Enjoy!
"Alright, Queen Isabella II, that's an easy one!" the Doctor declared as he went around the console, punching controls here and there as he set the needed coordinates.
"Better be!" he heard the shout of Minerva from the corridors.
"You done yet? When I said get changed for the period I meant change clothes, not your entire body!" he shook his head.
Minerva wanted to meet a queen desperately and so the Doctor decided to bring her to a Spanish Queen, specifically Queen Isabella II. He suggested she'd go and change for the period or she'd be imprisoned for her 'lack' of clothes as Rose was once declared to be by Queen Victoria. But Minerva had taken far too long to change into a simple dress.
"Oi, I'm meeting royalty," Minerva came into the console room with her hands on her hips, "I have to be presentable. So, am I?"
He turned to look at her and found her wearing a dress that looked...lovely on her. He softly smiled and nodded, "You look wonderful."
Minerva was dressed in a baby-blue gown that went down to the floor. It was an in off-the-shoulder neckline with, the same blue color, rose design over the neckline (both front and back) and finally a box-pleaded skirt. Her hair was left down with a blue headband pushing back her hair off her face.
She smiled back and moved forwards, "Then let's go meet a queen!"
"Right!" the Doctor turned to the console, "Allonsy!"
"Stupid word!" Minerva exclaimed as she clung to the console once the TARDIS had started shaking.
He rolled his eyes but didn't make a comeback. Once the TARDIS had stopped, he grabbed his coat off the rails and hurried for the door.
"Thanks for waiting," Minerva walked after him, "Ever the gentleman."
"Oh shush and go," he opened the door for her.
She gave a courteous bow and walked out first. She stepped onto a cobblestone pathway and looked around, already making a face of resignation.
"You made a mistake," she declared as the Doctor stepped out beside her.
"How do you mean?" he was busy putting on his coat to see their environment.
Minerva gestured to the place around them, "Does this look like Queen Isabella II's palace to you?"
He looked up and saw a busy street, certainly of historical times but...looking much more in the past than he intended, "Oh..." he mumbled.
"Well, better see where we are," Minerva sighed and started walking ahead.
"We could always go back!" the Doctor exclaimed, hurrying behind her.
He actually really wanted to bring Minerva somewhere nice again. He'd been working hard to get to know her and bring her to the places she always had wanted to see. When she had, rather shyly, asked him if they could meet a queen, he'd been more than delighted to bring her. Ever since Rose had been lost to the parallel world, the Doctor had made it his sole purpose to get to know the woman that now traveled with him and show her the wonders of the universe. It was rather fun to be around Minerva, he discovered.
"Nah, it's alright," Minerva waved him off, "This usually how things go better for us. But let's try to see where we are," she then noticed the dirty looks people were giving her, "And maybe find me a shawl," she hugged herself.
The Doctor noticed the looks but laughed, "Ah don't worry about them, they'll get over it. C'mon, let's go look around," he tugged her by the hand and led her who knows where.
~ 0 ~
"Doctor? Are you here? Doctor?" Minerva poked her head into a new street, frowning when she saw no sign of that Martian. She turned the corner and walked slowly, and cautiously, through the Italian street.
It had turned out they were in Italy, 1482 to be exact. This was far from where Minerva had wanted to go to but Italy was just as nice as Spain would've been. She always did love the Renaissance though she preferred the Rococo era. Perhaps she'd ask the Doctor to take her there soon. But in the meantime, she should probably focus on finding him first. She'd only entered a little clothing shop for a couple minutes in attempt to find a shawl to cover her bare shoulders, people still giving her odd looks here and there, but when she'd exited the shop empty handed she found the Doctor was no where to be seen. She supposed he'd probably wandered off, but never too far seeing she didn't know the place at all. This was the second street she tried and even if it was only a small amount of time she'd been searching, she was still nervous. They'd only been properly traveling for a little while and she was still trying to find her place in it, the wandering off rule momentarily sacred to her.
She stopped by a craft's shop and poked her head inside, "Doctor?" she called softly, not wanting to attract more dirty looks as she walked inside.
She looked around at the shelves that surrounded the place, filled with all kinds of oddities. Still, when she found painting accessories she was more than enthralled that she had actually forgotten her search of a Martian. She picked up paint brushes and turned them around, feeling the thin brushes, some thick. She never actually attempted to paint but it was always an interest she'd like to take one day.
"My dear, are you going to be purchasing that?"
She flinched at the sound of a man's voice beside her and dropped the brush to the floor, "S-sorry!" she quickly bent to pick up the brush but the man stopped her and picked up the brush for her, "Th-thanks..." she blinked rapidly when she saw just who that man was, "...oh my god..."
Standing before her was none other than Leonardo Da Vinci, or as Minerva knew him 'one of the greatest artists she'd ever loved'. He appeared to be middle-aged, maybe early thirties with dark brown eyes and brown hair, that notorious long beard on its way.
"Will you be purchasing this? Or shall I have it?" the man joked as he waved the brush.
"Um...n-no, I won't. I was just...looking at it," she breathed with a big grin on her face, "Oh my god you're Leonardo Da Vinci!"
"And you are quite beautiful," he tapped her cheek with the brush, making her chuckle, "What is a young maiden doing here on her own?"
"I was looking for a friend," she suddenly remembered she was short one alien, "You haven't perhaps seen him? He's about this high," she got on her toes and put her arm high up as she mimicked the Doctor's height, making the man laugh, "Brown eyes and hair, big brown coat too?"
"Don't think so," Da Vinci shook his head.
"Oh...okay then," she didn't have any words for the painter. She just stared at him in awe instead, really grasping the idea that one of the greatest artists was standing before her.
"Would you like some help in your search for this friend?" he asked her, setting the brush back on the shelf.
"You would help me?" her eyes half-widened.
"Of course. I shall not allow such a woman to be on her own with these foul men around."
"But you probably came in to buy something. You wanted the brush, remember?" she picked up the brush again and held it to him, "I don't want to distract you when you probably have a lot of paintings to paint."
"Nonsense, I was only gathering some things for my trip. I'm due at Milan soon."
"Oh right," she nodded, "Milan. You've been sent to the duke of Milan."
"Word travels fast, I see," he took the brush and set it back where he'd placed it, "But that's not until next week. I can gather my supplies another day. Come now," he linked an arm with her, chuckling at her wide eyes, "Where did you last see your friend?"
"Um...um..." she looked away for a second to recollect herself, "...he, um, he was on the other street," she pointed in a random direction, "In front of a clothing shop, yeah," she nodded.
"Then let's begin the search there," and he led her out of the shop, "What is the name of the maiden I am helping?"
"Minerva Souza," she recited immediately.
"Then it would be my pleasure to help you, Minerva."
"Eek," she squeaked and the man simply laughed.
~ 0 ~
"Minerva? Minerva!" the Doctor was calling as he walked the street, "Minerva, where are you!?"
He felt pretty awful for wandering off on the woman like he'd done. He'd only wanted to see this little machine one of the workers had strolling about but in following it, he'd left Minerva in that dress shop she'd liked. But when he'd returned to the shop, he found the American was gone. That put him in concern because she didn't know anyone nor anything in the place. She could get lost or into trouble fairly fast and it would be his fault!
Then...he heard a familiar laughter.
"You're funny, they never mentioned that in the books," Minerva was saying.
The Doctor looked back and saw Minerva walking arm-in-arm with a man, laughing away! She was just walking with a stranger like nothing! He shook his head and started walking for the two, "Minerva? What are you doing..." but he stopped once he had a better look of the man she walked with, "Da Vinci?" he blinked.
"Doctor! Finally!" she gave him a quick hug then moved right back to Da Vinci, "Look who I found?" she pointed beside her.
"I presume this was the friend we were searching for?" Da Vinci looked at the Doctor with slight interest. He'd gotten to like the brunette through the very short time they'd met.
"Mhm, this is my friend," Minerva gestured to the Martian, "This is the Doctor."
"Very nice to meet you," the Doctor shook Da Vinci's hand, "Minerva you go and find one of the greatest painters in history!?"
"I have a knack," she beamed, "And he's even offered to show me his workshop.."
"The invitation extends to you of course, sir," Da Vinci said. Minerva had been adamant that her friend see his workshop and if he really wanted to her to come along he'd have to invite the friend as well.
"Of course!" the Doctor exclaimed.
"Then let's go now!" Minerva said, looking at Da Vinci, "Can we?"
"But of course," Da Vinci patted her hand around his arm and motioned for them to follow him.
The Doctor made a face as he noticed the little looks Da Vinci was giving Minerva while they walked. It didn't settle with him right, after all Da Vinci is twice her age and Minerva was quite innocent to realize...he'd have to keep a close eye on the painter.
~ 0 ~
"This is amazing!" Minerva kept repeating as she rushed from one part of Da Vinci's workshop to another, picking up whatever her hands found, "Truly," she ran to a table and looked at all the sketches, "And completely," she rushed to a canvas where an unfinished painting rested, "AMAZING!"
Da Vinci chuckled and walked over to stand beside Minerva, "You are much too kind."
"Doctor, look!" Minerva picked up a little sketch from the table and turned, "Genuine sketches of Da Vinci, oh these are marvelous," she praised as she studied the drawing.
"Amazing," the Doctor nodded and walked around. He truly did have a like for the work of Da Vinci, the man was an icon for art! But...those little looks he kept giving Minerva didn't convince him. He'd hoped Minerva would've noticed and set some distance but it seemed like the woman was too enthralled to see anything but Da Vinci and his work.
"You really like them, my dear?" Da Vinci gently took the sketch from Minerva and set it down on the table.
"Oh yes!" Minerva nodded, "I know you have the mind for all these little inventions. You wrote them down in a book, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did," he smiled, not even perturbed with the fact that a stranger seemed to know him so well, "Would you like to see it?"
"Mhm!" Minerva clapped her hands in delight and watched him go across the room for the journal. She rushed to the Doctor and breathed, "Can you believe this? We're in the workshop of one of the best artists in the world!"
"Yup," he nodded, picking up a small sphere from a nearby table and studying it.
"What's the matter?" Minerva frowned, now realizing that she was the only one excited about all this.
"Minerva have you seen Da Vinci?" he faced her completely, dead serious.
"Clearly," Minerva gestured to the room they were in.
"No, no, no, I meant his face," he pointed to his own for example.
"What's wrong with his face?"
"Mm, I don't know, other than his drool for you, I say there's nothing wrong."
Minerva let out a small laugh, "You're not serious? You think he has a crush on me? That..." she paused to think, a smile spreading across her face, "...that would be so cool!"
"What!?" the Doctor frowned, but Minerva had already left him to go back to Da Vinci, "Minerva? Min..." he called quietly but she waved him off.
"What do you think of this?" Da Vinci was asking her as he opened up his journal to show her of a recent invention he had thought of. He thought it was rather silly, his mind always did come up with odd things...
"Oh I love it," Minerva breathed. It was a sketch and little notes for a flying invention, no doubt would later become the airplane in the 20th century.
"Really?" Da Vinci blinked, surprised a young woman would actually find the scribbles of a madman interesting.
"Oh yeah, it would be fantastic to fly," she set down the journal and turned to him, "But you know, I prefer your paintings."
"You've seen them?"
"Definitely, I think they're gorgeous. But you know, you should definitely paint someone," she put a finger on her cheek as she thought of the Mona Lisa which was yet to come.
"And who do you suggest?"
"A woman," she pointed and started walking around, giving a wink to the Doctor. What if she could get the Mona Lisa to be painted today!? She would actually get to meet the mysterious woman and watch her be painted!
"A woman..." Da Vinci nodded with a smile, his eyes following Minerva as she went, "...and just what woman do you suggest?"
"Pretty, good smile, but mysterious," she turned, now beside the Doctor, 'Don't you agree, Doctor?"
"Yes," he mumbled, "But we shouldn't direct what he should paint, remember?" he gave her a sharp look.
"No, no, Doctor, she's right," Da Vinci came for them, "I shall paint a woman, the most beautiful woman I can find," he then took Minerva's hand, surprising her completely, "Will you be my subject?"
Minerva nearly choked at the question, "M-me? You want to paint me?"
Da Vinci nodded, "What do you say, my dear? Let me paint your beautiful self?"
"Um..." Minerva looked at the Doctor who shook his head, "...um, I was thinking of a woman a bit older than me. Possibly darker hair and...properly dressed," she mumbled that last part as she looked at her dress.
"I don't think I'll ever find a woman to match your beauty and grace," he pulled her with him as he headed for the next room, his painting room.
The Doctor shook his head, oh this would not end well. Minerva was essentially taking the place of the Mona Lisa if Da Vinci was declaring he'd never find another woman to paint...
~ 0 ~
"Minerva, you can't do this," the Doctor kept mumbling to her while Da Vinci was in the other room gathering his things to begin the painting.
Minerva sat on a stool, waiting to be positioned by the painter, "Doctor, what's the worst that could happen?"
"Um, one of the greatest paintings in human history never gets painted?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, there's that," she rolled her eyes, "But we can make sure he paints the Mona Lisa later. C'mon, he wants to paint me! Me!"
"That's not all he wants to do," he mumbled, earning a sharp look.
"What are you talking about?"
"You're clever, figure it out," he pulled her off the stool and to her feet.
"So what if he has a crush on me? Is that not allowed?"
"Sooner or later he's gonna sneak a kiss on you..."
"Then...I don't know, we'll deal with that later. And besides, what would be the problem with that?" she crossed her arms, "I seem to recall you being the alien that snogs nearly every woman he meets."
"That is different!" he pointed violently at her.
"How?"
"Well, I'm...I'm..."
"The only difference I see is that for once, your companion is the one the crush is on," she smirked, "Well I've got news for you, I'm quite mature now and I can take care of myself just fine."
"Minerva, he's twice your age," the Doctor sighed.
"You're 903 and you've snogged woman far younger than that here and there.."
"What? I have not!"
"Madame de Pompadour, that's all I have to say about this!" she moved around him with a deep frown, "Think Mickey didn't tell me about that one?"
"Minerva, I'm trying to protect you!" he followed her around the room desperately.
"Well please stop, I want a friend not a father," she mumbled, her fingers stroking a couple brushes set on a table.
"Don't you see? I am trying to be a friend," he gently reached for her arm and turned her to face him, "This is what a friend does. I don't want to see some man twice your age trying to take advantage of you."
"But he's not doing anything," she quietly said, "You're being overprotective!"
"Yeah, when you're looking," he scoffed, "I'll tell you where those eyes of his have been looking at and spoilers, they're not on your face."
She blushed madly and hugged herself, "Stop it."
"I'm only saying what I've seen! Now please, let's just go," he took her hand and started pulling her for the doorway. He bumped into Da Vinci and made the man drop his utensils, "Sorry, Da Vinci we've got to get going," he pulled Minerva around the painter with haste.
"Going? You can't take my subject just like that," Da Vinci grabbed onto Minerva's free hand, gripping her wrist.
"Actually, I think I can," the Doctor pulled Minerva to his side.
"No, you can't!" Da Vinci pulled Minerva to his side, "She is my subject and I shall paint her!"
"Oh yeah, I can already imagine your little ideas and where exactly your eyes are going to be looking at! So let me just tell you, sir, I won't have that!" and the Doctor pulled Minerva again.
"You insult me, Doctor!" Da Vinci made another pull.
"Insult? I call it the truth!"
"Ow! Okay," Minerva cried, looking between both men, "I'm just going to go ahead and remind a certain someone," she eyed the Doctor sharply, "That I can't heal myself like he does so the pulling thing needs to stop right now!"
"Minerva, tell him you won't do the painting," the Doctor instructed her.
"Who are you to order her like that?" Da Vinci demanded, making another pull on the woman, "Her husband?"
"Her friend and her protector," the Doctor pulled Minerva again.
"This really hurts," Minerva frowned.
"My wondrous, beautiful maiden, don't let him take you away from me," Da Vinci pleaded her.
"Minerva, tell him," the Doctor ordered her.
She sighed and shook both men's hands off her then turned to face Da Vinci, "I'm really sorry, but I can't be your subject. It wouldn't be right."
"It would be more than right," Da Vinci frowned, "You are such a beauty that I am sure someone else is bound to paint you if given the chance. Please give me the privilege to be that painter," he reached for her face and sighed, "I promise to make a portrait and match your gracefulness to the best of my ability. Perhaps even as a...gift...for a love?"
"That's it!" the Doctor yanked Minerva away, "We're out of here!" he ran them to the door, accidentally knockinh a few things on tables to the floor.
"Doctor, what are you doing!?" Da Vinci called, chasing after them.
"Oh now you've done it!" Minerva looked at the Doctor with high concern as they ran, "Da Vinci hates you!"
"Just keep running!" he moved ahead, pulling her with him.
"DOCTOR!" Da Vinci shouted, acquiring the attention of everyone they passed, "Give me back my subject!"
"Soon as I do that you'll convert her into your wife!" the alien cast a mere glance back, "How will I explain that to her grandmother when I meet her?"
"Doctor, shut up!" Minerva smacked him.
"In, in, in, in!" he unlocked the TARDIS and pushed her inside. He quickly came in and shut the door then hurried up to the console and started the box up.
Minerva was pushed against the door when the box shook, "Ah!"
"Sorry, sorry," the Doctor called, the box finally settling down in the Vortex. He looked up and saw Minerva remaining at the door, sliding down in silence. He suddenly realized pretty much everything that had happened and rubbed his neck, "Minerva, I'm so sorry," he started walking towards her, "I didn't mean to cause all that, but..." he sighed and sat down beside her.
"Da Vinci loves me..." she whispered and glanced at him, a small smile spreading on her face, "...I got to meet Leonardo Da Vinci, made him in fall in love with me...and then you managed to make him hate us,well you..." she started chuckling. The Doctor didn't know how to respond to her at the moment, "Oh I am so gonna kill you for this!" her chuckling turned into laughter, "Only this would happen to us..."
Soon, the Doctor found himself beginning to laugh the more he thought of it, "Yeah, I guess..."
Minerva rested her head on his arm as they laughed together, "Only us; the American and the Martian!"
Author's Note:
So how was my first one-shot? lol, hope it wasn't too shabby or anything. I figured there was no better place to start with this collection than the moment with Da Vinci. Any thoughts?
Just a reminder this was a moment where Minerva and the Doctor were not a couple, just a glimpse into their adventures before meeting Martha.
Oh! And I know that the pairing up in the description says Doctors 9-11, but sooner or later (when the stories reach to 12) I'll go ahead and change it from 10-12 just because the 9th Doctor & Minerva didn't really coexist too much.
There's no daily update for this certain collection, just when I get the ideas for a new chapter!
Thank you, until next time :)