Music and the Doctor
Listen to this while reading:
Song: Astronaut
Artist: Simple Plan
The Doctor
The Doctor staggered wearily towards the TARDIS doors. A dull, empty ache had entered his chest long ago, but in the past few minutes, it's intensity had tripled until it was impossible to ignore. He had just been ready to set sail for a trip to New Earth when 'the thoughts' came. The selfish, pitiful thoughts that often kept him from sleeping. Usually he was able to push them away; ruck them in the back of his mind. But sometimes they forced their way to the front. Sometimes he succumbed to their desires.
So he sat in the threshold of the TARDIS, legs dangling dangerously over the edge as he gazed into the darkness of space, letting it consume him; letting the stars take his mind. How had he ended up like this? So lost. So sad. So...lonely.
All he wanted was someone to come and take him away from this terrible existence. To hold his hand. To listen; to be with him; to not forget him.
He couldn't be the only one in the universe who had lost everything. He couldn't be the only being that didn't have a home. Could he?
The loneliness had gotten a hold of the better part of his mind. He had allowed it too much freedom and it was all becoming too much. Even the travelling and the 'saving the universe' stunt was looking dismal to him. What made him think, on that day oh so long ago, that going out into the stars was a good idea?
The Doctor stood, hands gripping the TARDIS doors so tightly that his knuckles shone white, and looked deep into the nothingness of space. Somewhere, someone out there had to feel the way he did. Someone had to need him. Someone. Anyone.
The Doctor took a step away from the doorway and gave one last look into the black sky. Slowly, achingly, he shut the doors with a silencing 'click'. The TARDIS cooed softly to her thief as he shot a quick, sad smile towards the Time Rotor.
As his feet carried him to the Console, his eyes fell onto the bright screen showing where they were currently and where they were set to go next. Earth. London. Any time. London always felt a bit like a second home. Maybe they'd welcome him with open arms.
With one final look at the TARDIS doors, the Doctor pulled the closest lever and set the Time Rotor into its initial vertical ascent. Maybe landing would bring him to a land of friends. But maybe it would bring him to a land of 'used-to-be-friends'. He silently prayed it was the former.