"There ! That's the perfect spot !"
The Doctor rose a finger in air and put it in his mouth.
"Night is cold. Get a blanket or you will freeze."
"Sir, I think it's too early."
"Come on Nardole ! This child only knows the Tardis and my office." The Doctor looked up at the bright stars. He wanted to show Elyne the sky's marvels. " She needs to see the outside world or she will-"
"Become like you ?"
The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Go and get this blanket."
When the cyborg went back into the Tardis, the Doctor saw Elyne's head poking out shyly.
"Come on." His tone was gentle. " You are safe."
The little girl stepped outside slowly and went against his leg. The Doctor looked down at her and laughed softly. She was more comfortable around him now. After a week, her injuries healed fully but her trauma was still fresh and the Doctor knew it would take time. And he had time.
Finaly, Elyne left the Doctor and looked around. She kneeled down and touched the grass. She wasn't as curious as other children but it was a start.
"Do you want some light ?" he asked.
Elyne shook her head. " I see."
" You mean ... You can see in the dark ?"
"Uh uh." she only replied like if it was the most normal thing in the world. Igneos' sight was better than human one.
The Doctor sat down and allowed himself to relax. He looked Elyne playing in the grass and somehow he felt content just at this sight. The kid didn't play often, her anxiety was blocking her. The only toy she accepted from him was a stuffed animal, a blue tiger and she loved hugging it. He was pulled off his thoughts when Nardole sat next to him with a blanket over his shoulders.
"We can share." grinned the cyborg.
The Doctor grumbled at his assistant and looked away, what made Nardole laugh.
"What if someone come and she fires up ?"
The Doctor frowned at him. "She's just a little kid, Nardole. She's not a monster."
"I never said such a thing. We just don't know how her abilities work."
"Just stop worrying and enjoy the night. If it's not too much to ask." he said as he opened one arm. " Elyne, come here."
Elyne obeyed and stood in front of him.
"Aren't you cold?" The Doctor asked as he closed her coat. She shook her head. "Good. Now look up. It'll start."
Elyne looked up at the indigo sky then a meteor shower started. Her eyes brightened up in wonder. The Doctor smiled at her reaction and looked up.
"Doctor ? " she asked with her tiny voice.
"Yes ?"
"You come from the sky?"
The Doctor chuckled at the innocence of her question. "In a way, yes. Especially from..." he lied down and seemed to follow an invisible line with his finger. "Here !" He pointed a spot in the sky.
Hopefully she didn't ask more questions about his origins and lied down next to him looking at the stars. The Doctor stared at the universe. He closed his eyes and sighed.
"You miss it."
The Time Lord glared at his assistant. "I miss what ?"
"Travelling across the universe."
No answer.
"You know repressing your feelings won't help."
"It does actually." finaly replied the Doctor. " Now can we just stop talking ab-"
He stopped when he felt a lightweight resting on his abdomen. He looked down and saw Elyne resting on his midriff. He would had say Do you think I am a pillow ? but she looked so peaceful.
"Admit your hearts stopped for one second." teased Nardole.
"Shut up."
The Doctor looked at the sleepy child cuddled at him.
"Tired ?" he asked stroking her head.
"A little." she yawned.
The Doctor's eyes softened. "Let's go home."
The Tardis materialized into the Doctor's office. It was evening, the sun was low in the sky and a soft amber glow illuminated the room.
The Doctor let Elyne take a nap on his armchair and stepped outside the Tardis. He sat down behind his office and started correcting some essays to mark.
Time passed silently. But a knock disturbed the calm. The Doctor frowned as he stood up. When he opened the door, he met a blonde woman followed by two men.
" Kate ! What a surprise."
"Good evening Doctor. May we come in?"
Before the Doctor could answer, they were already inside the office.
"How can I help UNIT this time?" he asked without hidding his annoyance.
"Where is the child?"
"And why do you want to see her?"
"Actually we want to take her."
"Oh no." the Doctor frowned. " Don't even think about it."
"I thought you would like some tea." Nardole interrupted, stepping out the Tardis with two cups of tea. He stopped when four pairs of eyes looked at him. "Oh. Should I get more ?"
"Nardole, I told you to not call UNIT." the Doctor's voice was thick with anger.
"And I didn't !"
"He didn't." Kate cutted. "Actually we followed the signal."
"What are you talking about ?" asked the Time Lord.
"Call this child unnatural again and I'll end this conversation right now." The Doctor snarled. "And no she stays here."
"She can be dangerous !"
"She is not."
"Let me judge about that. We can give her a proper surrounding."
"And I can't ? Let me tell you I've seen and teached to more dangerous children than you can imagine."
The Doctor stood right in front of the woman. His voice was calm but his glare was fierce.
"Sir." Nardole called. "It wouldn't be a bad thing. I mean !" he quickly carried on when he met the Doctor's cold blue gaze. " She needs specifics care. And a steady family."
"Exactly." supported Kate. " We will make sure she isn't a danger. For herself and the other."
The Doctor said nothing. For the first time in a really long time, he didn't know what to tell. Maybe they were right. Elyne would probably be better in a secure and peaceful place to grow, especially since he was so bad with feelings. He would have been a terrible guardian.
"Nardole."
"Sir ?"
"Bring Elyne here."
The cyborg nodded and went into the Tardis.
"I know what you feel like." said Kate gently as she met the Doctor's eyes.
He raised a sarcastic eyebrow. "Really ?"
"We only want the best. For her. I am sure you want it as well."
The Doctor bit his lips nervously. "Of course."
So why did he feel nauseous ?
"There you go." cheered Nardole.
The Doctor turned his head and saw the sleepy child following Nardole out the Tardis holding her tiger. He felt his hearts tighten up. Elyne went right against the Doctor's leg.
"Who's that Doctor ?" she asked rubbing her eyes.
"I am Kate. And those are my friends." Kate kneeled down in front of the little girl. "I am glad to meet you, Elyne."
Elyne snuggled a bit more against the Doctor's leg. "Are you Doctor's friends ?"
The Doctor kneeled down. "Yes they are. And they will take care of you now."
"What ?" Elyne looked up at him shaken. "I did something bad ?"
The Doctor had a hard time to supress his feelings. Even with that, he still could feel his hearts aching.
"No you didn't." he smiled. " But Kate will help you to find a family. Doesn't it sound cool ? You will have a mom and dad."
His smile faded away as he saw big tears running down Elyne's cheek.
"I want to be with you." she sobbed.
"Elyne." Kate said softly. "I know you like the Doctor. But he can't keep you. He's very busy you know. But I promise we will take care of you until we find a family, is that ok ?"
Unfortunaly the little girl sobbed harder and hugged the Doctor tightly. "Please Doctor ! I will be nice ! "
The Doctor didn't hug her back. "Elyne. It'll be ok, I promise."
Kate looked at one of the men. The taller one moved and grabbed Elyne softly under arms. The instant he lifted her up, Elyne threw two blue flames through her hands and the poor man let her go before screaming in pain.
"Elyne no !" yelled the Doctor as he caught the kid who threw herself into his arms.
"Please don't leave me !" she cried.
"I am sorry, but we have to do this." said Kate as she pushed a needle into Elyne's arm.
The Doctor held the dizzy child as she started to fall asleep.
"Don't..." she murmured. "Leave..." Finaly she felt asleep in the Time Lord's arms.
Kate lifted her up. "I am sorry Doctor. But it needs to be done."
"I know."
Once the UNIT members and Elyne went, the Doctor was now left alone in his office. He didn't know exactly how he felt.
"Are you alright sir ?" Nardole asked.
The Doctor ignored his question and disappeared into the Tardis without a word.