A/N:
Teni Citadel Garden Song: "From the Ground up (Instrumental) by Sleeping at Last
Scarlett opened the door to the TARDIS and peaked out, her smile grew as she looked around. The Doctor had landed the TARDIS in the exact spot he lad left from three months ago. For me, she reminded herself. Three years for him. And he got it right on the same spot. They had landed in her favorite garden within the citadel.
Even though it was many floors high above ground in the fortress, water was pumped up from the natural springs underground, feeding streams that weaved through the plant life, and naturally watering the plants that lived within. Bright colored flora and fauna were everywhere, many native to Teni, some brought in from dignitaries visiting from other planets near and distant.
Pathways meandered around the plants and streams, all converging in the center of the garden at a beautiful large fountain with seating built all around the circumference. One pathway started right at the doorway to the TARDIS, as it led away, lining the pathway were the Teni Royal Guard. Men and women lined the pathway leading away from the TARDIS. They wore dark blue outfits and robes similar to what Scarlett had been wearing when she arrived on the TARDIS.
As she stepped down out of the blue box, the man closest to her pounded his staff twice on the ground. The other guards moved to stand at full attention, one arm behind their backs while the other held a staff like that of the lead guard. As Scarlett moved forward to stand in front of the man, the rest of the travelers aboard the TARDIS stepped out and surveyed their surroundings.
The three newcomers were taken aback by the beautiful surroundings, but remained quiet, unsure of what was customary in the way of greetings on Teni. The Doctor knew something about Teni customs from his last time here, and wanted to cause as little trouble for Scarlett as possible, so in a rare display, he kept quiet as well.
"Chief Randu," Scarlett spoke as she approached the lead guard. "I'm pleased to see you are well and weren't injured in the recent battle." She smiled up at the man who towered over her. "Is my brother ready for our meeting?"
Randu returned the smile and nodded. "Yes, my Queen. He and the the Elders are prepared to meet with you as soon as you are ready."
Scarlett turned back to her friends, "Please, make yourself at home. Feel free to roam the citadel. If you get lost or have questions, one of the guards can assist you. I will let you know any news as soon as I can. Please stay within the citadel. Tomorrow we will arrange for you to tour the planet properly."
Each one of the companions nodded at her before continuing to look around the garden. Only the Doctor kept his eyes on her, a look of concern on his face. She smiled towards him as she spoke into his mind, I promise to keep our connection open, and let you know should I need your assistance. She nodded once more in his direction before turning to the female guard who stood across from Randu. "Jana, please ensure that rest of the citadel guards understand my friends are to be made to feel welcome and shown proper respect. Assist them in whatever needs they may have. Also, I intend to break from meetings for dinner. Please let Rual know that my friends and I will dine in the Great Hall."
Jana gave a slight bow and then Scarlett turned and began walking between the line of guards. Randu followed closely behind her, several other guards fell in line behind them as they moved along a pathway towards one of the exits of the garden into the citadel halls. Some guards remained at the garden exits while the others marched out. Jana moved quickly away to an exit to attend to the Queen's instructions.
"Randu, let's go directly to the Elders Chamber. No need to delay," she spoke over her shoulder to him as he walked close behind her.
She walked a few more minutes in quiet before she felt the Doctor nudging at her mind again to speak to her, How far away do you think we can be from each other and still communicate like this? he questioned.
I'm unsure, since you haven't been practicing telepathy regularly. Practiced Teni who have formed a connection or bond can communicate across the planet from each other. It will grow stronger the more you practice and train, she responded as they turned a corner and approached the Elders Chamber. I'm about to go in, so I'll have to remain quiet. If there's an emergency, let me know, otherwise I'll speak to you at dinner.
I'll be waiting, was the last thought she got from him before the doors to the Chamber swung open. In front of her was a long table, seated along each side were twenty Elders, male and female, of different ages. At the far end was her brother, Prime Minister Balen. She took a deep breath as she stepped into the chamber, moving quickly to her chair at the closest end of the table. She sat down and looked around at each face. "Good morning, Elders. Good morning, Prime Minister. We have much to discuss, let us begin."
Exploring the garden, the Doctor and his companions had spread out a bit, each looking at different features. Donna found the Doctor by a one of the streams. She stepped up beside him, watching him carefully, particularly noting that he hadn't even seen her approach. "Alright, Spaceman. Spill it," she gently spoke to him.
He turned towards her, having been interrupted from his thoughts. "What's that?"
"Spill it. You. Scarlett. Feelings. C'mon, I know it's all swirling around up there in your head." She twirled her finger around in the direction of his head.
The Doctor quickly glanced at her before looking back away. "Um, well, you see…"
Donna could tell from his eyes that his thoughts and emotions were so close to the surface. She continued softly, "Doctor. Best friends, right? You can tell me, you know that."
"Yes, well…" He paused, then continued, "How we met, that's quite a long story."
"Okay, so long story. But in a nutshell—you do love her, don't you? That's what I'm seeing, isn't it? You're in love aren't you?"
A smile grew slowly on his face and he began nodding enthusiastically. "Oh, Yes!"
Donna smiled back at him and pulled him into a hug. "Oh, Doctor! That's wonderful!" She pushed back away from him, then. "But, tell me, why didn't you mention her before the planets went missing?"
"I know you want to understand. The short story is, I met her on a space cruise ship. We went on one quick trip, and then I brought her back here. I stayed for a bit. Then I had to leave, and she had to stay. In her timeline, the time here on Teni, I left here three months ago. She had a planet to lead and the TARDIS was picking up strange readings on Earth. I confessed my feelings before I left, but she needed time. It's a bit complicated, both between our peoples, and with her being Queen and me being a Time Lord. Remember what she told us last night, about purity in the royal line? So, imagine the Queen being in a relationship with one of the people hers had rejected and left behind. I represent everything they left when they came to Teni."
"But that was ages ago, right?" Donna quietly questioned, trying to understand how these people could be so critical of the Doctor. "I mean, you're not like your people, right? That's why you had to do—what you had to do."
"Yes, but after thousands of years of the same belief, it's hard for one Time Lord to break that cycle," the Doctor argued.
"Well, if anyone can do that, it will be you." Donna smiled at him, hoping she was right.
The Doctor sighed and continued, "When I left, we agreed—she was going to contact me, keep in touch, but I didn't hear from her. For three years—"
"—because Teni was snatched out of time by the Daleks after three months of their time; and brought forward two and a half years," Donna completed his statement, nodded in understanding. "But that doesn't exactly explain why you didn't mention her."
His head tilted back and forth and he rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to formulate a response. "I thought she had decided she didn't want to see or hear from me again—I reasoned that she had decided it's wasn't worth the trouble of going against all those staunch Teni beliefs. I felt the best way to respect her feelings was to deny my own. So I didn't mention her. It was a hard time for me, and I ended up diverting yours and Martha's questions onto what had happened with Rose. It seemed simpler that way, at the time…"
Donna could tell he was starting to go into his own headspace with his thoughts, so she urged him to continue, "And?"
"And?" The Doctor had been staring out at the water flowing by. He looked towards Donna, and decided he could only be honest with her. "I feel like an idiot. I should have tried to contact her. In the short time after we met, she made me see so many truths, about myself, my life—she cared so much about things, about me, and in a way I hadn't experienced." For a moment his face turned from serious to a grin. "In fact there's only one other person I've ever known who was quite like her. She turned out to be my best friend. Keeps me in line, she does." He noted Donna's blush and reached out to squeeze her shoulder in affection. "I should have known, she would have at least reached out to me and told me her feelings had changed. If I had only tried to reach out to her, I would have realized the planet was missing. Perhaps I would have found out about the Dalek plan sooner." He looked at his best friend compassionately. "Your life might not have gotten turned upside down as it has, Donna."
"Oh, Spaceman. I can't say this isn't all quite overwhelming if I think about it too hard. But look at me, I really will get to travel with you forever and—" She stopped suddenly, a thought occurring to her. "But wait, Doctor, if Scarlett is no longer Queen because of what happened, she can be with you with no hindrance, right? You two won't want me around—"
"Donna," he interrupted. "There's plenty of room on the TARDIS for all of us. Remember, I said it was meant to be piloted by six! Besides, I couldn't leave you behind! You're my best friend, the most important woman in the universe." He smiled. "And now, you're family. You're a Time Lady!" He embraced her in a tight hug that she returned. After a moment he pushed away slightly and frowned. "This might all be a moot point. What if she decides not to come. Even if she isn't Queen, this is still her home…"
"You can't think she won't want to come with you. Doctor, she loves you, can't you see that?"
"She's keeping her feelings pretty concealed, at the moment. There's been hints. I know she cares, otherwise I don't think she'd let us stay. But until she knows if she is free to act on—whatever—she isn't going to profess anything. Oh, and public displays of affection are pretty limited here on Teni, especially for royalty. But everyone in general tends to keep their hands to themselves when in public. Best you tell Jacob and you two keep that in mind—" The Doctor didn't notice, or at least pretended not to notice, Donna's jaw drop at that statement. He was staring off into space again as he spoke. "Anyway, the one thing that is obviously clear is that her people come first. And rightfully so. She's been so concerned that I shouldn't have to wait around for her. Seems my long-standing reputation as being non-domestic is coming back to bite me. But Donna, I don't think I can leave again, after what happened last time. Not till she's decided."
"Maybe the three of us aren't the only ones who have had a major change. Maybe she's changing you too, for the better. And besides, maybe you aren't domestic, but stubborn as a mule, yes." Donna smirked and batted him on the shoulder playfully.
They both heard a throat clearing behind them and turned to see Jacob and Jack. Jacob spoke, "Sorry to bother you both, but we'd like to do a bit more exploring around the citadel. Thought you might like to join us?"
Donna looked to the Doctor and he nodded as he began to speak, "Yes, in fact, I'd like to get to the outer hallways and have a look outside. She didn't want us going outside yet, but I want to see how much damage the Daleks caused here."
"Do you know your way around, or should we ask for directions?" Jack asked.
"This is where they had me park before, and I remember a specific spot Scarlett took me to before to show me the city. I can get us there, no problem." They stepped back into the central area and found Jana stationed back at one of the exits from the gardens into the main citadel hallway, having finished her assignments from the Queen by now. The Doctor approached her and asked, "Jana, if we need assistance, are guards still stationed within sightline of each other within the citadel?"
Jana nodded. "Yes, Doctor. Perhaps even more heavily than what you remember. We haven't yet released the protocols put in place during the Dalek invasion."
"If I remember correctly, the northeast corner tower gives a good view of the city and surrounding areas? I'd like to get a view of the damage the Daleks have caused," the Doctor asked.
Jana gulped, visibly tensing, then looked directly at him then, a rarity for the Royal Guard. "Yes, I believe the Northeast corner will give you the view you seek, Doctor."
"Thank you, Jana." With that he finished their discussion and quickly turned, heading out of the garden at a fast pace, with his companions following closely behind. Jana's reaction had made him even more concerned over the state of the planet.
"You think it's worse than they've let on, don't' you?" Jacob huffed as he moved quickly to catch up with the Doctor. "You think they haven't told us the severity of the damage."
"I heard all of Scarlett's conversations with Balen while on the TARDIS. He mentioned nothing about any damage. But If I had to guess, I think those meetings Scarlett is in are about more than just her change of biology." He was now speaking as he ran, the others keeping up with him. Jack with his long legs and plenty of practice from running on the job with Torchwood, Jacob having the same gait and physicality as the Doctor, and Donna having grown used to running with him.
Suddenly he slid to a stop, the others almost tripping over each other as he tapped a button on the wall for a lift. Without realizing it, his foot was tapping impatiently as he waited for it to arrive. When it did they all got on and it quickly moved upwards towards the top of Northeast tower of the citadel. When they stepped out he rounded the corner and stopped in his tracks at the window, looking out over the land.
"Oh my god," Donna gasped out as her hand went to her mouth.
Looking out over the horizon they saw what was left of the city. Some buildings appeared to be demolished, others had smoke still billowing out of them from what must have been fires that had been put out not long before. Flying all around were ships that were hauling debris and what was left of the dead Daleks. The ships with full loads were heading out of the city.
Jacob reached out and placed his arm around Donna's shoulder as tears flowed down her cheeks. Jack moved to stand next to the Doctor, whose hands were resting on the windowsill, head hung low.
"Doctor, we've got to help them recover. There's so much work to do, surely, we can help. With the combined skills of our team—" Jack had already begun analyzing in his head strategically how they could best help with the cleanup and recovery efforts.
"But Jack, don't you see. If Teni was hit this bad, with their advanced defenses, Earth must be even worse. You must want to—"
Jack interrupted the Time Lord, "Doctor, have you forgotten your own resources? Time travel, remember? So, we help the Teni. Take as long as we need to here. Then we go back to Earth and we help there. I won't leave Scarlett and her people like this when they need us too."
The Doctor turned, his face was weary from looking at the damage, but it held a small smile for Jack. "Scarlett was right, you are indeed a good friend, Jack—"
Before he could continue, Donna gasped and pointed towards the ocean. "Doctor, what is that?"
The Doctor turned to the direction she was looking and saw a large ship rising out of the water. "Ah, that is a transport coming up from the underwater city. Teni is ninety percent water so long ago they built a large underwater network of cities. All their aircraft also function underwater.
"That's amazing! We've never visited an underwater city before, Doctor!" Donna watched the ship rise up out of the water and into the air, heading to what she guessed was a docking station that rose up into the air above the city.
"Yes, I don't get to many underwater cities. I did visit Atlantis a few times," the Doctor stated. Donna and Jack both looked at him, mouths agape.
