So, I hit 245 followers on Tumblr, which meant another fic! I was seriously debating on a Steggy fic (Steve Rogers x Peggy Carter from Captain America *insert sobs here*) or continuing the 100 followers fic. So, in the end, we can see what I did. xD This is more of a 'this is what we do when we're not about to die' fic.
Disclaimer: I WISH.
Rachel braced herself as the Doctor took off, hands tightly gripping the console. She thanked God that her dads had enrolled her in dance, helping her balance. She and the Doctor had finally landed in New New York, later being chased back to the TARDIS by an angry mob after the Doctor had done… something. Rachel didn't exactly know what he did, but she knew that she had never run that fast in her life.
"So, where to next, Miss Berry?" The Doctor beamed at her as the shaking stopped. "We're just floating in the Vortex until I set the coordinates.
"Can… Can I go see…" Rachel stuttered a bit, her eyes looking up at the Doctor hopefully. He understood, shaking his head sadly.
"You can't interfere." The Doctor put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it slightly.
She pulled away, looking at her feet sadly. "The day of the accident. I just…" Her eyes watered slightly, and she blinked the tears away quickly. "I just need to see it."
"Rachel. I let one of my past companions do that. She almost destroyed time, and in the end held her father while he died." The Doctor walked over to Rachel, standing in front of her and giving the weeping brunette a hug. "I know it hurts. I do." He patted the girl's hair and squeezed her tightly. "But you're strong. You're brave. You're smart. I'm not saying you'll get over it, but you'll… adjust."
"I know." Rachel looked up at the Doctor quietly. "Is there somewhere I can rest?"
The Doctor smiled excitedly, taking her by the hand and pulling her along the TARDIS hallways. "Allons-y, Rachel!" They passed dozens of doors. Blue door. Glass. Red with stripes. Orange and glittery. The Doctor finally stopped in front of a pale pink door with a large gold star on it. Rachel's mouth dropped as she stared at it, a stunned look on her face. "Looks like the TARDIS already made your room. There's a bathroom across the hall." The Doctor grinned at her before sprinting away.
Rachel grinned slightly, pushing the door open and walking into the room. She kicked off her flats, her feet sinking an inch into the plush carpet. She took in the room, looking around cheerfully. The carpet was thick, soft, the weight of her feet causing a dent to appear in the pale gray lake. The walls were painted a soft pink color with a white trim along the ground and top. A canopy bed stood against the wall, gold and pink sheets and pillows made up and piled cozily. A vanity and a desk were also present, as was a bedside table with a lamp on it.
Finally moving again, Rachel tossed her bag unceremoniously onto the bed and plopped herself on the floor, not wanting to move. She had caught a look of herself in the mirror. The beautiful white dress she had been wearing was dirty and ripped now. Using all her willpower, Rachel pushed herself up off the floor, a dilemma forming. She had no clothes, save the destroyed white dress and some of Jesse's clothes.
She wandered back out to the Console Room barefoot, looking around for the Doctor. She found him, messing with something. "Uhm, Doctor?" she asked timidly, meeting his eyes when he swung his head to look up at her. "I don't have any clothes…"
The Doctor grinned. "There's a wardrobe, and I believe it's near your room!" He saw her eyes widen. "Go find something."
Rachel nodded slightly, turning and shuffling off, eventually finding the wardrobe. With joy, she found bunches of argyle sweaters and sweater vests, polo shirts, long sleeved collared shirts, skirts, knee highs, and shoes. She pulled a pink polo shirt from the piles, as well as a slightly ruffled black skirt with a pink edge.
She nearly skipped across the hall, carrying her findings in her arms as she made her way into the bathroom. Depositing the clothes on the counter and shutting the door behind her, Rachel stripped off the ragged dress and the rest of her clothes, stepping into the tub and letting the hot water run over her. She closed her eyes as she thought about Jesse. He loved her. She loved him. And she turned him down for Finn Hudson, of all people. Rachel had done a lot of ridiculous things before, but saying no to Jesse St. James was the stupidest thing she had done.
Rachel scrubbed the dirt and grime off herself, starting to sing quietly. "I am in misery, there ain't nobody who can comfort me…. Why won't you answer me, the silence is slowly killing me!" she sang as she washed her hair, swaying slightly.
The Doctor had straightened up after Rachel left, thinking. She was an interesting companion, that was for sure. She was witty, smart, pretty. But she was hurt from the loss of someone she loved. He knew all too well how that felt. With some reluctance, he went to go find Rachel, checking first the wardrobe (not there) and her room (empty).
He cracked a small smile as he heard the singing coming from the bathroom. The Doctor walked over to stand outside the door, waiting beside it and listening to Rachel belt out a Maroon 5 song like there was no tomorrow. She had a brilliant voice, that was for sure. He could listen to her voice for a while.
Rachel cut the shower, still singing, however, now she was singing The Coolest Girl rather enthusiastically as she dried her hair. Styling it perfectly, Rachel slid her outfit on, still barefoot. Damn. She hadn't thought of shoes. Maybe the Doctor had some sturdy boots in the wardrobe… She frowned as she walked out, jumping at the sight of the Doctor waiting outside.
"OH! Rachel! There you are!"
"Were you eavesdropping?"
"Your voice carries." The Doctor looked at her outfit. "Very nice. But you have no shoes on."
Rachel laughed, a welcome sound. "Come help me find boots! They'll be more sturdy. For running."
"Oh, yes. Awful lot of running." The Doctor beamed as Rachel nearly dragged him into the wardrobe, going through the boots like there was no tomorrow. The Doctor held up a pair of black boots with a thick heel. "What about these?"
"I like those!" Rachel held up a pair of socks and slid them on over her feet. They ended mid calf, black as night. Rachel sat on the floor of the room to pull on the boots, zipping them up. "How do I look?" she asked coyly, standing and modeling playfully.
"Fantastic!" The Doctor thought it was a good outfit. "Where to?"
"Ah. Well. Doctor…" Rachel looked a bit timid. "Can we stop by my house? I need to get something, please."
"Sure." The Doctor grabbed her hand and tugged her into the Console Room, leading the TARDIS to a very bumpy landing in an alleyway near Rachel's house. "Go."
"Come with me."
"I shouldn't."
"Please?"
"Fine." The Doctor allowed Rachel to lead him down the street. He hadn't realized that he had actually landed them two days from Rachel joining him, and that people were desperate to find the starlet. "Is this it?"
Rachel nodded, walking onto the porch of the house and putting a key into the lock, letting herself in. The house was silent, and Rachel thought it was empty. She waved the Doctor in and smiled. "I'm going to run upstairs, alright? My room." She waited for the Doctor to acknowledge her, and then started up the stairs. She stopped and looked at him. "And Doctor?"
"Yes, Rachel?"
"Thank you." She beamed at him before continuing up the stairs. The Doctor smiled at her as she left, turning to the mantel and examining the photos. Most- wait, all- had Rachel in them. There were dozens from her performances, and the Doctor even recognized one of Rachel at Nationals.
He didn't notice the footsteps approaching him until they were close. The Doctor ducked at just the right moment, catching a quick glimpse of his attacker's face, reacting in shock upon recognizing who it was.
"Finn!"
"What are you doing here?" Finn's mouth dropped as he recognized his substitute. "How'd you get in here?" His face transformed into one of fury. "Were you the one who took her?"
"Absolutely not!" She chose to.
Finn put his fist down. "Oh. Sorry, Mr. Smith."
Rachel, oblivious to the confrontation downstairs, threw some of her own clothes into a duffel bag, as well as grabbing a worn, leather scrapbook from the shelf. It had every photo that she cared about. Her fathers. Her friends. Jesse. She threw the duffel over her shoulder and dashed out of the room without a backward glance. "Doctor!"
Finn reacted quickly to hearing Rachel, his eyes softening upon seeing her descend down the stairs. Fury returned as he saw the duffel bag. "Rachel!"
"Finn?"
Welp. Welp. Welp.
*hides*
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I'm off to go zipline down Fremont. SEE YA!