Just a short one shot reflection on a cracky OTP.
She watched. She knew.
She had laughed at those who dared deem themselves lords. They had no idea what it was to truly master her realm, or to what end their arrogance would bring them. She did, for she stood outside the stream.
And yet, for all that they amused her, she pitied him, and she wondered if he, of all the beings in all the streams, might understand her.
She knew better than expect a committed relationship-or to even want one. She saw his destinies. Wept herself over River's demise; grieved the loss of Rose; felt the pain of Martha's choice even while supporting it; and checked in, from time to time, on Donna. Jack, mostly, just amused her, though his willingness to choose practicality over conviction-even when it hurt him-reminded him of Haruka.
At his lowest points, when he had no companion or wife, when he needed to remember that he was not alone, she would pull the TARDIS to her, far enough from the gates that that wretched screwdriver could do no harm.
And when he had adventures on his own, she would sometimes allow herself the briefest of holidays.
Occasionally, he would seek her out.
After the disaster on Mars, she was expecting him. He was broken; she knew that, and she knew what would come, so she allowed him to find her.
Unlike his companions, she did not wait for the roar, but when he came near, opened the gate enough to enter herself.
"You forgot the most important rule."
He nodded, "I...I needed...how could I not save them?"
She smiled and moved to where he was curled into a ball on the floor, kneeling down to be at his level. "You forgot the most important rule, because you've been tainted, by humanity, in the most amazing way."
Blinking, he looked up to her, confused, "It was arrogant of me."
Laughing, she nodded, "Your kind has always been arrogant, but your arrogance has become tempered by compassion. You've become like Her. And there is no higher compliment."
Tangled in the sheets, he ran his fingers over the swell of her breasts, "How many do you love?"
She laughed, "Enough to never be alone but to always be lonely."
"Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey, huh?"
"Yes."
He propped himself on his elbows and kissed her softly, "You've been tainted, too, you know?"
"And I am thankful for it, every single day."