Laurie

Okay, so basically this is a short story about the (eleventh) Doctor and his new companion, Laurie. I don't own the Doctor or any of the other characters in this story, but Laurie is mine :)

The Doctor glanced over at Laurie. Her short, blonde hair barely brushing her shoulders. Her deep blue eyes were focused intently on one of the Tardis' display panels. She looked up and her eyes met his. A large smile lit up across her face.

The Doctor smiled back at her, and he felt his two hearts begin to beat faster. He looked down at his shoes, ashamed of the way he felt. Dreaming is one thing, but hoping for the impossible is another. And his wishful thinking was definitely of the latter.

The Doctor strode towards the control unit in the middle of the Tardis. He began turning dials and pushing buttons and flicking switches. The tall centre of the control unit began to glow and pulsate.

Laurie looked at him, brow creased in confusion.

"Where are we going?"

"We are not going anywhere, you are going home." It came out sharper than he had intended it to.

Laurie looked crushed. Seeing her like that broke the Doctor's heart.

"I don't understand… why?"

The Doctor exhaled softly and squeezed his eyes shut.

"Because," he started, a lump growing at the back of his throat. "It's easier for everyone this way."

Laurie stomped towards him and slapped him in the face.

"What do you mean easier? You expect me to go back and live a normal life after this? After seeing the things I've seen? After meeting you?"

The Doctor looked up into her now glistening eyes.

"Laurie, I'm sor…"

"No," she interrupted. "I don't want an apology, I want a reason."

The Doctor took a deep breath and somehow managed to whisper,

"Because… because I love you…" The Doctor curled his hands into fists. Now that he had said it out loud there was no way he could deny it.

Laurie stopped, speechless.

"I… I…"

"It's okay," the Doctor said softly. "You don't have to say anything." She looked at him, a tear spilling down her face.

She walked towards him, took his face in her hands and kissed him. It was the softest, gentlest, most tender kiss he could have ever imagined.

"I don't have to," she whispered. She leaned in to kiss him again but he stopped her.

"Laurie… I can't…"

"Why not?" her brow creased in confusion once more.

"Because it wouldn't work. We're from different species. Different galaxies. You'll grow old, I won't"

"I don't care. Okay, so it wouldn't last long, but we just have to cherish every moment we have together."

"Laurie, I have seen stars that don't shine as bright as you, galaxies even. But it won't work… it can't work. I… I just can't bear the thought of losing you…"

"Then don't think about it, we'll figure something out…" her words were cut off as the Doctor pulled her close. She leaned her head on his chest and listened to his two gently beating hearts. He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair, whispering softly in her ear,

"I'm not sure…" Laurie raised her head and looked into the Doctor's eyes with her own.

"Please…" she begged softly. He smiled, his brilliant, crooked smile at her.

"Alright."

He let go of her and spun round to the control unit.

"Okay then… where to?"

Laurie beamed.