Marian couldn't believe her eyes. Sitting next to her was a man wearing very funny looking clothes. And something about him was so familiar…but she couldn't allow herself to believe what she was thinking. Instinctively, she pulled out her dagger and thrust it toward his throat.
"Who are you, and how did you get inside of this carriage?" she asked, determined not to let her voice waver.
"Woah…okay! Just lower that dagger and I'll explain everything."
"No."
"Really? Well, alright then. It's me, Marian! Your old friend."
"I've never seen you before in my life," she hissed through clenched teeth, bringing the dagger an inch closer to his skin. Surprisingly, her father was still fast asleep across from her. She hoped he would stay that way.
"I know it's been awhile for you…how old are you now anyway? Oh, wrong question. Well, in my time it hasn't been long at all. Actually, only a few days. The Tardis brought me back…so, here I am! And you look quite different than I last remember you...looking," the Doctor finished awkwardly.
Marian's eyes widened slightly and then narrowed. "Who are you?"
"I'm the Doctor."
Gasping, Marian lowered her dagger. "No…it can't be. You're not real." Turning toward the window, she closed her eyes, as if that would make him disappear. "You're only here because I've been imagining you in my head. You're a childish fancy…a whim. That's all." Opening her eyes again, Marian turned back, looking hopeful that he would be gone. But there he was, grin and all.
"That's impossible!" she exclaimed. She saw her father stirring out of the corner of her eye. Oh…no. He couldn't wake up.
"What, that I'm still here? Oh yes, I'm quite real. And I followed you here to Nottingham…slipped right into the carriage when no one was looking."
"You mean you've been hiding in here this whole time?" she asked, making sure she kept her voice low.
"There's more room under that seat than you'd think. But my back…ow. It feels good to be out of there."
"No…no. This can't be," Marian repeated, closing her eyes briefly.
"But…I'm here. And…you're here. So…"
"Would you be quiet!" Marian hissed as she glanced at her father, who was beginning to stir.
"Oh, sorry. Is that your father? I'd love to meet him."
"No. You're not meeting my father. And I want you out of my carriage. Now."
"But…we've only become reacquainted!"
"Out!" Marian pointed to the door. "I don't want my father seeing you, do you understand?"
"But the carriage is moving…"
"You'll manage."
"You never forgave for not coming back, is that it? Really, I'm sorry. Time travel is such a bother. Completely unreliable sometimes."
"Would you stop…talking! Get out."
"Hmm. Very well." With some apprehension, the strange man pushed the door and jumped. Marian watched as he rolled onto the ground and picked himself back up. She felt sorry for a split-second, until he turned around and winked at her. Of all the nerve!
"Marian?"
Jumping slightly, Marian saw that her father was awake. "Did you sleep well, Father? We've almost arrived at Knighton Hall." She hoped he wouldn't notice how strained her voice sounded.
"Yes, but I had the strangest dream."
"Oh?"
"Yes. There was this man with you. He was rather curious."
"Really?" Marian feigned indifference as she absently glanced out the window.
"You were angry with him. It was most…unusual."
"Sounds like you were dreaming of our new Sheriff. I'm always angry with him."
"Marian, you shouldn't say such things. You must not do anything to vex him. Things are…different now."
"Yes, I know," Marian replied. Things were very different, and they just might not ever be the same again. But this man who had suddenly appeared reminded her of a time when life was much simpler. She wanted to believe he was the same man…that he was real. But it was impossible. The man hadn't aged a day!
The carriage had suddenly become suffocating. She needed to go out for a long walk to clear her head…to think. When Knighton Hall appeared ahead, she couldn't have been happier.
First of all, so sorry it's taken me months to update this! I'm in the middle of writing some other stories and I'm afraid I've been neglecting this one. Sorry this chapter is so short too. :( Also...writing the Doctor is harder than I thought it would be. Hard...but fun at the same time. I think he's actually a good balance for Marian. Curious to hear your thoughts. :)