Stranger Things Have Happened
Chapter 2: Under a Blue Sky
Ianto was growing ever more panicked with every button the Doctor pressed. They were flying at an angle, and being tossed wildly around like salad. There was no time to think or figure out the situation at hand, when the TARDIS came to a sudden abrupt stop.
Ianto's face slapped the grated floor as he heard the Doctor tumble headfirst into the pit below.
"Alright?" The Doctor hollered out, above the hum of the TARDIS machinery.
"Yeah, you?"
"Oh, never better! Nothing like a good old tumble." He grinned wildly, jumping back up to his feet and straightening out his blue fitted vest.
"Why did that happen?" Ianto wondered aloud, figuring the Doctor should be more than able to properly fly his own ship.
"Oh, it just does that time to time." He scrunched up his eyebrows and looked at one of the screens. "I tried getting into London, but there's a hullabaloo there right now and I can't squeeze in." He pouted.
Ianto considered himself a smart man, but he was feeling conflicted over whether he should be glad that the Doctor couldn't take him back. He didn't want to die, but what other choice could he have? What must Jack think, seeing him disappear? Or, has he died already? Was he just a ghost?
When Ianto broke free of his thoughts, he looked up at the Doctor, who was staring pointedly at him.
"Let's have a look outside and see where she's taken us Ianto. Then, I'll try to get a hold of Jack." The Doctor suggested. He seemed to know more than he was letting on, by allowing more time to pass without resolving why Ianto was there.
The TARDIS was known for popping into the wrong time, even the wrong planet, and this time was no exception. Ianto realized right away something was wrong.
"The, um…the sky…" Ianto started.
"Is blue, yes." The Doctor finished proudly.
"Do you know where we are?"
"No, no idea! Absolutely brilliant!" He smiled.
Ianto laughed at the fact there was no trace of sarcasm in the Doctor's voice. He was genuinely happy to be lost.
Ianto walked ahead and started analyzing his surroundings. It was his first time leaving Earth.
He looked back at the Doctor who was standing still, and still staring at him.
"Right then, Ianto, tell me about what is happening on London…" The Doctor said, breaking his stare.
They walked along together as Ianto described the 456 and how they wanted children. The Doctor nodded and listened, looking neither shocked nor surprised by the information.
Ianto struggled about the details of his own demise, choosing to leave out the last moments with Jack.
He never thought he would miss him so much. Maybe if it had happened another way, it wouldn't be so hard to think of Jack going on all alone.
While Ianto spoke, the Doctor thought back to a few weeks ago when he had another unexpected guest when he popped in at the Rift in Cardiff to charge up the TARDIS….
