Another chapter sloowwwllllyyyyy updated. Sorry to my loyal subbers. You know I love you. But seriously people; review! I was tempted to threaten not to update until I got more reviews, but I probably wouldn't get it up very soon, even if you all were good little boys and girls :P
It was a few hours before Amy finally got the hang of the console. The Doctor was fairly sure that she had only been pleased that the Traveller was staying so she could be taught to fly the machine; she seemed wary and suspicious of the Traveller. The Time Lady could clearly sense this cautiousness, and although she was usually very affectionate of Amy, this mistrust hurt and wearied her and made her irritable. This became apparent to the Doctor when his companion first began to receive instruction from his love.
"It's just like driving a car, yeah?" Amy had said; even though she tried to hide it, she was very much enjoying the lesson.
"No, not really," the Traveller said flatly.
"Good," Amy replied impudently. "I failed my exam in that too."
The Traveller's mouth twitched. After the initial hostility, the Doctor relaxed. A catfight didn't seem too likely after all.
But now, since Amy insisted she understood the basics, the Traveller and the Doctor were leaning against the safety railing watching with amusement as Amy hovered around the console, trying to operate it by herself. Rory was at her side, constantly asking if she knew what she was doing and that they weren't about to crash into a supernova. Once Amy had assured him after the umpteenth time that she was sure of her actions, he hesitantly attempted to help. He reached towards the levers, but Amy slapped his hand away.
"Oi! My lesson," she growled.
He pulled back quickly as the Traveller and the Doctor sniggered.
Hearing them, Amy glared at the two. "He's my husband, I'll do what I like with him!"
"Oh, I know," the Traveller murmured meaningfully.
Rory shifted around uncomfortably. "What do you mean?"
She smirked. "The walls have eyes."
Amy coughed awkwardly as the Doctor frowned, not comprehending the insinuation.
"No, don't get it," he shook his head finally.
"Don't think about it too much," the Traveller smiled, patting him on the shoulder.
"You can show him later," Amy grinned, receiving a glare from the Traveller. To Rory's gaping and Amy's laugh, the scowl became a wink.
"Aren't Time Lords supposed to all seem asexual or something?" Amy chortled.
"No, just this Time Lord," she smiled, patting the Doctor on the back as he continued to frown in confusion.
"Oi! I'm… most probably heterosexual," he mumbled.
"I'm sure you are," Amy said.
"Mmm. He definitely is," the Traveller smirked.
"O-kay!" Rory butted in loudly. "I think that's enough talk for now."
Amy and the Traveller snickered while the Doctor continued to stare at them in bewilderment. The cheerful and relaxed atmosphere was shattered as the TARDIS lurched to one side suddenly and a blast of light sent the Traveller shooting forcefully away from the others and leaving her sprawled, unconscious, on the floor. The Doctor ran to her side.
"Traveller? Traveller!" he shook her, before pulling out his sonic screwdriver and scanning her.
Nothing showed up out of the ordinary. Now he thought about it, the TARDIS was too advanced for the sonic screwdriver. He had just had to use his own knowledge whenever she was broken. And the Traveller and the TARDIS were one. She was the TARDIS.
To his despair, the time machine around him was not making her usual comforting hum, but a wheeze. Fear gripped him stronger than ever before as he shook the Time Lady in his arms.
"Traveller! Please," he whispered, so Amy and Rory behind him couldn't hear, "I need you, come on!"
Scared she may never wake, his worry was increased as the Traveller began to flicker. She was, after all, a hologram.
"No!" he screamed. "Hold on."
He rocked her in his arms, stroking her hair. Tears welled in Amy's eyes and she covered her mouth in shock as Rory held her comfortingly, also racked with sympathy for the pleading man on the floor, who was also holding close the one he loved. This was an anguish and hopelessness that both Rory and Amy were familiar with, having both felt it themselves, each for the other.
"Please," the Doctor begged. "PLEASE don't go! Not again. I… I love you. You can't leave me here!"
Suddenly, the Traveller disappeared from his arms and re-appeared, sniggering, at Amy and Rory's side. The Doctor looked back at her and she stopped laughing.
"What's going on?" she looked around in confusion.
The Doctor ran to her. "But… you were here."
"What?"
"The TARDIS moved and you fell," Amy said. "We thought you were…"
"I'm fine," she laughed, but no one joined her.
"How do you feel?" the Doctor asked her.
"I feel fine, Doctor."
"Traveller, you flickered," he whispered. "Your hologram disappeared for a split second."
Her smile dropped abruptly. "Are you sure?"
He took her hand and pressed it against his face. It was wet with tears. He wouldn't shed tears for no reason.
"I…" her voice cracked in shock and fear. "Show me."
He shook his head. "No. Believe me, you don't want to see. I don't want you to."
Before he could argue any more, she lifted her other hand to his face as well and closed her eyes, feeling his memory flow into her. Once she had seen what she was searching for, her eyes snapped open and she sucked in a great, rattling gasp. She slipped back and the Doctor caught her, his hands gripping her upper arms.
"Are you all right? Do you know what's wrong?"
"It… doesn't matter," she stepped away groggily.
"Traveller, what happened?" he tried to read her face, but there was nothing.
She leant forward and whispered in his ear; "I love you, Doctor. Just trust me." She pulled away. "I'll be fine." Amy hugged her, making her laugh. "Oh, so you like me now?" she asked.
Amy smiled. "You're not so bad."
Even Rory shared with her the most fleeting embrace. "You're okay then?" he asked.
"How many times do I have to say it, I'm fine!" she laughed.
Rory smiled, yet there was something in the Doctor's eyes that told him that something was very definitely wrong, he just didn't know what.
It's been 20 days since I last updated, but I really am trying to roll the chapters out fast. Even if I don't, I am trying. Once again, please review. Can it be my Christmas present? Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, can you still please review? Just tell me if you like it or not, or give me some ideas for the next chapter. I know where this is going to end, but I have no idea what to do for the middle, so ideas are welcome. I'll credit you in my Author's Note. Cookies to those who do! Love you guys. 3