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Chapter 3 . . .

Life in 1969 was actually going much better than Martha had thought it would. Thanks mostly to the charming Kevin Wallace. She enjoyed working with and living near him. The record shop was lively and the cliental was so down to earth she sometimes forgot she was in the sixties. They joked and laughed plenty and she and Kevin became closer. They usually shared lunch in the park across from the shop and often walked home together. It was these moments that she cherished most because she knew once she entered her shared flat with the Doctor, the joy and camaraderie she had would have to last until the next workday because the Doctor was so focused on getting the TARDIS back that he barely acknowledge her presence except for when she made meals or he got bored. She refused to let his indifference dampen her mood and proceeded with her usual routine once she was home.

She was washing some veggies to prepare when she was startled by the Doctor's voice right behind her.

"So how was your day?" he causally began.

She turned and gave him a bemused look. He was never very interested in her day so his asking surprised her.

"Sorry?"

He raised a brow, "Your day? How was it? Work going well?"

She smiled lightly, "It was good. How about yours?"

"Good. Good . . . so did Kevin walk you home again?"

"Yeah," she replied.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and offhandedly retorted, "Chivalrous of him."

Martha watched him closely as she answered, "It's no big deal. We do live in the same building."

"And work in the same place," he quickly returned.

Martha sighed and folded her arms over his chest, "Yeah . . . so?"

The Doctor rocked a bit on his trainers and seemed to measure his next words before plowing forward, "It's just that you two seem to be spending a lot of time together.

"So? As you pointed out, he is my boss and my landlord. Of course we would see a lot of each other."

"You know that's not what I'm talking about," he replied a bit more firmly.

She rolled her eyes, "Enlighten me."

He sighed this time while running his hands through his unruly mop, "I just think you might be becoming overly involved with him. Remember this is only temporary."

Martha scoffed, "This again. Look, I understand the situation we're in. Kevin and I are just friends. I have crossed no lines or encouraged him to do so. Can you say the same?"

The Doctor narrowed his eyes at her, knowing she was referencing their hiatus in 1913.

"That just makes my point. Look what happened. A lot of people were hurt."

"Well, no worries, I'm not you. I enjoy Kevin's company but it's going no further than that. Are you happy now?"

Then without waiting for a reply she turned back to her task. The Doctor stood watching her back for long while before finally turning back to his own project. He knew Martha was sensible and would not intentionally interfere in the flow of time but he also knew that humans were prone to attachments and he didn't want to see anyone else hurt, least of all her.

After work the following day, Martha was in no rush to head home so she began to stack and resort some albums. She knew Kevin usually stayed late Fridays to catch up on some paper work so she thought she'd hang out until he was done and then they could walk back to the co-op together. So she was surprised when he popped out with his tote ready to head out. He smiled when he saw her and she returned the gesture.

"Leaving so soon?" she asked.

He nodded, "Yeah, it's my turn to host movie night. A few friends of mine and I kind of rotate coming by each other's places and watching whatever cheesy B-movie BBC One plays that night. It's a great way to unwind."

Martha nodded, "I bet. Well, I hope you have fun. I better get going myself."

She then turned and began towards the counter that housed her own bag. But before she could get too far, she felt Kevin's hand lightly touch her elbow causing her to turn back. His smooth, sure smile never wavered as he inquired, "Do you have to? I mean so soon? I would love for you to come and hang out."

Martha raised a brow, "I don't want to intrude."

"You're not. I want you to come. In fact I planned to stop by your place and see if you were interested." He paused briefly before adding offhandedly, "You can even bring your doctor friend if you like."

She thought about the offer and then about bringing the Doctor. She wasn't sure she wanted the two sides of her life colliding. It felt good to have something that he had very little involvement in. So rather impulsively for her, she replied, "In that case, I would love to. Unfortunately, the Doctor is busy with some major project so I doubt he will be interested."

She noticed that his face seemed to brighten at that admission and briefly pondered it before he cut through her thoughts, "Alright, let's say we get going. Everyone should start arriving shortly. I need to set up."

"I'll help," she happily replied as they swung by the counter for her to grab her bag. The pair then headed off.

Martha entered Kevin's place for the first time ever and was instantly struck by the hippish style that was belied by his own personality. He noticed her looking about and glided up behind her and softly spoke near her ear, "I have to keep up appearances. Most of my friends are heavily into the life style."

She turned slightly and gave him a small smile, "Interesting."

"Indeed," he returned.

The pair then worked in companionable silence, setting up snacks and cushions for the guest and shortly thereafter they were joined by ten other people and cheesy movie night began. The group sat through two rather awful movies with a third one cuing up when people started to make their excuses for going. Martha was dozing on the sofa next to Kevin when the last of his guest had begged off. Kevin saw them off before quietly beginning to clean things up. Once things were back in order, he rejoined Martha on the couch causing her to stir. She gave him a lazy smile as she spoke, "Sorry. I must have been a bit tired."

"No worries. I might have to have a chat with your boss about all the work he's been giving you," he playfully retorted.

She bantered back, "Yeah, he can be a real tyrant sometimes."

They both shared a chuckle at their banter before a wash of seriousness overcame them. Their eyes locked and Martha became suddenly very aware of how close they were on the sofa. As if on a string, Kevin seemed to be drawn closer and closer to her until his lips were but a hairsbreadth from hers. Martha knew what was coming next and when his lips finally made contact with hers she easily allowed herself to be caught up in the feel of it. The young man's lips were firm but tender against hers and she found herself being drawn more and more into the exchange. Unfortunately, it was as she began to relax that a familiar, and frankly nagging, voice began to echo in her mind. Don't get overly involved, Martha. This is only temporary.

Damn Doctor. Even when he wasn't around he was affecting her. As Kevin's fingers began to move from their gentle caress of her cheek to a more possessive grasp of her neck, Martha's conscious finally won out and she gently began to pull back from the embrace.

Kevin's half lidded eyes caught her own with an obvious question. She gave him a faint smile as she quietly began to respond to the look, "Kevin, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let that happen."

"Why not?"

"Well, there are the obvious reasons. You are both my boss and my landlord."

He shook his head lightly, "OK but were also friends, right?"

She nodded before lowering her gaze slightly, an action that cause him to place a finger under her chin and lift her eyes back to him.

"But that's not why you're stopping yourself, is it? It's the Doctor, right?"

Martha leaned back from his touch and sighed, "Yes, but not how you are thinking. He and I . . . well we're complicated and in all honesty, this whole situation is temporary. Because of his work, we rarely stay in one place too long. I just wouldn't feel right encouraging you when I know it won't last."

"Martha," he continued, "Life is too damn short to worry about what might happen later. If living here among this lifestyle has taught me anything, it's that you have to live life for the present and let the future take care of itself."

He paused and moved back into her personal space before concluding, "If we have nothing but this moment, let's not waste it on what comes next. You are an amazing woman, Martha. I felt it the moment I laid eyes on you and anyone who doesn't appreciate that doesn't deserve to have your loyalty and affection."

Martha was a bit unnerved at how he seemed to be reading her so well. It was as though he knew about her unreturned feelings for a certain alien and was trying to assure her she was not the problem. She sighed again, feeling like she should be firmer in spite of the warmth she felt at his obvious interest in her. After all, he didn't know or understand the issues of time and space that were at stake. So with a bit more resolve, she tried again to deter him. "You have no idea how much your sentiment means to me but . . ."

He words we cut off by Kevin's lips once again finding hers. It was a soft, short peck, meant to quiet her and did it's task well. Softly, as he held her face in his hands, he replied, "Then just accept it and embrace the moment."

He then leaned in again and pressed his lips against hers and waited to see if she would respond. Moments later, Martha found herself giving in to the embrace and before she knew it, she lying back on the sofa with Kevin pressed over her. Their kiss was becoming quite involved with his hands roaming from her face and neck downward to her sides and waist while hers moved through his sandy brown hair and across his solid chest. His hands had just started their journey underneath her top when a frantic knock snapped the amorous pair out of their moment.

Both were breathing heavy and Kevin groaned in frustration as he gazed down at his tousled companion, "I swear some day's it just doesn't pay to be the head honcho."

She gave him a small smile as another louder knock soon followed.

"You better get that."

He stole one more meager peck of her lips before rising from above her and starting towards the door. Martha began to regain herself, silently chastising herself for getting so caught up in someone she barely knew. Was she really this hard up for affection? She was brought out of her musings by the door finally opening and a familiar and slightly anxious voice speaking to Kevin.

"Have you seen Martha?" the anxious Time Lord inquired.