DISCLAIMER: I do not own Doctor Who. This is a nonprofit fan fiction.

Author's Note: I know the first chapter was sort of emotional and the Doctor didn't show up until the end, but I PROMISE that he will be more present from now on. However, it's most likely going to continue with the emotional baggage. Please enjoy and tell me what you think! XD

The Doctor Meets Madison

Unable to sleep, I wander around the ship until I find the sitting area. I stare blankly out the window, which is really just a holographic projection. It's made to look like a window in the old fashioned cruise liners, ships that floated in the oceans of Earth long ago. Imaginary fish swim by, again and again. After staying there for awhile, I start to see the pattern of the creatures that pass by. It takes 20 minutes before the whole process starts again.

I don't know how long I stay there, watching the image loop time after time. I like watching the fish; it allows me to think about absolutely nothing, especially not him, Caleb. Behind me, I hear someone approach. My body tenses, wanting to flee from the unwelcome company, but I'm too exhausted to move.

The same man from dinner appears in my peripheral vision. The Doctor. I watch him out of the corner of my eye, but don't dare to look over at him; I don't feel like talking to anyone. He sits far enough away to allow two people to sit between us, but close enough that we could reach out and touch. Suddenly, I remember the haunted glaze in his eyes, and I realize that he won't want to talk either. We both sit there in silence that would be uncomfortable for anyone else.

To us, the quiet isn't truly silent; it is consumed by burning memories and hearts filled with sorrow.

Finally, after hours that have blended together, life starts to filter into the room. We both stay here until it's too loud for us to take. The Doctor it the first to get up and leave. Not so long after his departure, I also leave the now-crowded room.

Absentmindedly, I find my way back to my room. Zara is no longer here, but I'm not surprised. My body feels like it weighs a ton, and part of me muses over the idea that the captain might have increased the ship's gravity. It's a silly idea. They wouldn't do that; it would be pointless and take up too much energy in the long run.

Allowing my body to go limp and fall to the stiff mattress, I soon find myself in the blissful oblivion of dreamless sleep.

... ... ... ... ...

When I wake up, I feel more refreshed than I have since Caleb first told be he wouldn't stay with me. Taking advantage of the better mood, I went down the the recreation center. Zara was playing Holo-Battle with Ryan. She catches my eye, giving me an encouraging smile, before returning her attention to the game.

I walk over to watch them play. To my surprise, she wins.

"Want to play Circle Smack?" I ask her.

"Out of all the things to do, you want to play that old thing?" Zara scoffs, but I can tell that she doesn't mean to be rude.

"I love the classics!" I smile, hoping she'll agree. The expression on her face tells me that I won't be so lucky.

"I'll play," comes a male's voice from behind me. I turn around to see the Doctor with a bright smile on his face. Though it doesn't reach his eyes, I still find myself smiling back.

We go over to the Circle Smack table, each grabbing our Smack.

"You know, this was actually called 'Air Hockey' back in its day," The Doctor informs me.

"Really? And how would you know that?" I ask before thinking about it. "Oh, you must be a Time Agent." I answer my own question.

"Something like that." He smiles secretively.

We get lost in the game, both of us furiously slamming the Circle, what the Doctor tells me is called the "Puck." When servants come in to tell us that dinner is ready, we find ourselves tied. Neither of us scored a point.

Together, we go get our food, sitting at the same table I always do, only this time he sits next to me.

"Plutonians were an extraordinary race," he says randomly.

Though I know he's referring to my lavender eyes, I'm still surprised; very few people know much about the Plutonians.

"Yes, they were. My great grandfather was Plutonian. His purple eyes stood in our family." I smile at the Doctor.

"So that's what you are! We've all had our theories, but none of them were right." Ryan interrupts enthusiastically.

"Well, I'm a Human-Plutonian hybrid. Only Plutonian traits that have lasted through the generations are the eyes and the telepathic ability." I answer. Usually, talking about species was considered politically incorrect, but since I didn't seem to mind, they didn't either.

"So that's how I wasn't able to score! You cheat!" The Doctor accuses, but he's just playing around.

"How did I cheat?" I ask, feigning offence.

"You saw my moves before I made them."

"No, I didn't." Now I'm being serious. I really didn't see anything from him.

"Well, you must have. I always win Air Hockey." He looks at me with furrowed eyebrows. I squirm under his scrutinizing eyes.

"I honestly didn't," I sat quietly before going silent for the rest of the meal.

... ... ... ... ...

After dinner, I go back to my spot in the sitting room, watching the holographic fish swim along on their imaginary routes. The Doctor startles me by jumping over the back of the couch and landing beside me.

"Did you really not see anything when we played Air Hockey?" He stares deep into my eyes the way Caleb used to, causing me to flinch away.

"No."

"Look, I don't care if you did, but it's very important that you tell me." His voice is low and deep with a sense of urgency.

A flash of rage sparks inside of me. I am not a liar, and I don't like being accused of being one.

"I didn't see anything!" I snap, looking up to meet his eyes.

There is no challenge in their murky depths, but I still feel the need to defend myself.

"Are you absolutely sure?" The intensity of his gaze unsettles me. There is so much in those eyes that are too old for his face.

"I am not a liar, Doctor," my voice drips venom.

I get up to leave, but the Doctor calls after me, "Wait!"

"What?" I don't turn to look at him.

"What's your name?" This takes me off guard; I was not expecting something so innocent to come from his accusatory lips. Now I turn to look at him.

"Madison."

"I believe you, Madison."