A/N: This chapter is dedicated to all veterans past present and future. Particularly my own grandfather who I honestly hope is proud of everything I have accomplished in the nine years since his passing. RIP HJL
Calista's eyes widened as she looked at the Doctor, "Are you serious?" she asked breathless.
He smiled at her nodding, "Yea. Haven't you ever wanted to see a world beyond your own?"
She smiled taking a few steps towards him, "Of course... that's why I joined the military... but... I might be more of a liability to you..."
"Why?"
"My leg... is not so good... I can't run the way your other companions can... well, I mean I can but, then I'll just fall down after it wears out and-"
"I don't care." he said simply, "Even with your leg you saved me, right?'
"Well... yea... I guess."
"Then you're fine. Do you wanna come with me?" he asked. His emerald eyes shining softly at her.
She nodded hesitantly, "Yea... I do. But let me take my girl home really fast." she smirked at him, "You have a habit of returning people later than you meant to."
The Doctor pouted at her slightly, "Hey, that was me but it wasn't ME. I could be very prompt, I don't even know that yet."
Calista giggled softly, "Yea, well the old girl is gonna take you where you need to go, when you need to be there; which means we could still end up late."
The Doctor opened his mouth to argue with her only to find that he couldn't, "Fine." he pouted, "Where do you live? I'll meet you there."
She smiled telling him where she lived before getting into her car and driving off.
Calista drove down the long dirt drive way of her country home surprised at the days events. In the distance she could see blue peeking from the trees behind her house. That must be where he parked the T.A.R.D.I.S. She thought to herself. She parked her car in the garage before heading into the house.
"Mum? Dad?" she called out looking up the stairs.
"You're American! Why do you say mum instead of mom?"
Calista yelped as she heard his voice come from the living room. The Doctor said, sitting next to her mom on the couch.
"Oh, she goes back and forth. Honey, why didn't you tell me your friend John was coming over?" her mother asked smiling with an irritated light in her eyes.
"Well, it was spur of the moment. We only made plans a couple of hours ago I thought I was gonna beat him here and talk to you about it first..."
"I see. Well, next time how about you call first though... I guess that would be hard to do when your guest is the Doctor."
The Doctor looked at Calista's mother in shock, "Doctor? Who said anything about a Doctor?"
Calista chuckled slightly, "I should have known you'd hear the T.A.R.D.I.S. Land and recognize the sound."
"What? Why?" The Doctor asked looking back to Calista. She grabbed a glass of milk from the fridge before coming back into the room.
"Remember how I said that there is a show called Doctor Who?"
The Doctor nodded slightly.
"It's been on since 1963. My mum was a kid then and she used to watch it and Dark Shadows after school with her sister. So... yea. She knows even more Doctor Who than I do."
"How can my life be a TV show?"
"Why do you have such a fondness for modern day London?"
The Doctor opened his mouth to answer before closing it uncertain of how to answer.
"Exactly." she said.
"I take it you're gonna be traveling with him."
"Yea."
"Eh. Just don't show up late for school. Go grab a bag first."
"Yes ma'am."
"Your mum is really relaxed compared to some of the mums I've met."
"Yeah, at least she didn't slap you."
"Not all mums slap me!"
"Jacki, Martha's mother, Amy."
The Doctor tried to retort but found his mind blank, "Hush you!" was the best he could think of as he opened the door to the T.A.R.D.I.S.
Calista giggled softly before stepping in. She gasped as she looked around at the inside of the T.A.R.D.I.S. This Doctor hadn't set his own console background yet so for now it was set to 12th 's design. The Doctor smirked listening, waiting for her to say what everyone did when they stepped into his ship.
"She's beautiful..." That was a first. The Doctor's mouth dropped open in surprise as he felt the T.A.R.D.I.S.'s song seep into his mind. She was quite pleased with this new companion who choose to complement her first rather than go for the clique.
"Where would you like to go first?"
"Oh I don't know I..." a thought crossed Calista's mind but she shook it from her mind unable to ask for something like that.
"What? You thought of somewhere. Where?"
"I... I shouldn't..."
The T.A.R.D.I.S.'s engines went off as she took flight, "Looks like the old girl disagrees. So tell me where?"
"It's almost Veterans Day... I couldn't help but think of my Grandpa... he died when I was 13."
"You wanna save him?"
"Nah... his fate was sealed... I just.. wanted to see him before he went into the hospital; before he died."
The Doctor looked at Calista sadly, "What made you think you couldn't ask for something like that?"
"Well... most people would try and change what happened. I mean it would be nice if he had lived longer but... I mostly just wonder if he would have been proud of me. My mom always said he would have been..."
"You wanna hear him say it himself."
She nodded softly.
"Well... yes."
"Beth! Did you take your meds?"
"Yes Henry."
Calista watched the elderly couple from afar; not yet able to approach them. The Doctor turned to her panicking slightly as he saw the tears roll down her cheeks, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing..."
The Doctor looked at her more closely cupping her cheek with his hand to wipe away the stray tears, "You're crying. That's not nothing."
"It's... been ten years since I saw them together... Grandma Beth died last July too..."
The Doctor hugged her gently, "It'll be ok."
She nodded, "Yea. But... I don't know how to approach them... They aren't gonna recognize me I mean-" suddenly Calista felt someone tap on her shoulder. She turned to look, only to find the couple standing before her.
"I'm sorry. My wife had to meet you she thinks you look like one of our grand children." Calista's eyes widened in surprised.
"It's fine, it's no trouble at all."
"You hold yourself a bit taller for such a young girl." Henry said unwittingly to his granddaughter.
"I spent the last four years in the marine corps. I was a Lance Corporal when I got out."
"Is that so? Henry here was in the Air Force. Thanks for serving."
"It was an honor. I just wish I could have been a better Marine."
"It's not all it's cracked up to be. You signed the contract that's more than most. You're family should be proud."
"Thank you. My Grandfather served in Vietnam."
"Eh. I was there. It was hell. I bet he is proud of you."
"I'm afraid he died years before I joined."
"Is that so... Well... Then I'll tell you for him. You did good. Don't let anyone ever tell you different."
"Thank you, sir." she said as they walked away. Fresh tears fell down her cheeks.
"See. He was proud of you. And he didn't even know it." The Doctor said smiling down at her as he hugged her close, "Come on! Lets find another place to explore. Do you like cheese?"
She nodded slightly.
"Good because I know a planet where everything is made of cheese."
