Chapter Seven: Questions
What are you doing back here? Mr. Jackson said…"
He jumped at Luke's voice.
"Just checking out K9. You mum did some amazing things with him. I mean, installing a hover mode. So cool!"
"Can we come out now?" Amy hollered from inside the TARDIS. "We aren't on some slightly carnivorous planet, are we?"
"Oh, right," The Doctor stood up. "Why don't you come out and stay in the attic? Luke and I were just going to do something…something TARDISy ish. K9, keep an eye on the Ponds, we won't be gone long."
"Keep an eye on us?" Amy stepped out of the TARDIS, crossing her arms. "I am not being dogsat."
Rory, dressed in his wedding suit, stepped out behind her. "Good dog."
"Affirmative." K9 nodded. "You are an associate of the Doctor, you will be classified as 'friend.'"
"While you are arguing with the dog, Luke and I will be taking a short trip. Come along, Smith." The Doctor brushed past the trio and stepped up to the TARDIS console.
Luke shrugged and followed him, shutting the door quietly."It looks different."
"Last regeneration was a bit messy." The Doctor peered through the time router.
"So, what did Sky say to you?"
"Lots of things. How old is she, chronologically? She said something about growing up quickly, I got that bit, but the rest was rather a blur."
"Three months. Mum called one day, said she had something to tell me. But before she could, Sky popped up, nose nearly touching the screen, and announced that she was my little sister. I wasn't quite sure what to say to that, but once Mum explained things, it made more sense."
"You didn't mind?"
"She's missed me since I went off to Uni. Besides, Sky needed a home, and I remember how that feels." Luke shrugged. "So what did you want to talk to me about?"
"I was trying to decide how to—er, what to do… about your mum. Do you have any preferences? There's always that lead-lined coffin UNIT had for me after the Shansheeth nicked the TARDIS—I'm sure they'd be willing to donate it. UNIT, not the Shansheeth." The bowtie scratched his neck.
Luke stared at the nobs, levers, and buttons. "That might work…but it was for you."
"Oh, it'll be cool. I won't need it anytime soon."
"Won't anyone else be coming?"
"Er…well," The Doctor looked up. "Let's stop by Mount Snowdon first, shall we? Pull that lever there, would you?"
"You're letting me help fly the TARDIS?"
"Just one lever. Easy does it now, and don't even think about touching the thermo-couplings. That could cause—bad stuff." The TARDIS was silent for a moment. "Was she happy, Luke? Your mum?"
"Yes, really happy."
"Was she ever lonely?"
Before Luke could answer, the TARDIS shook wildly. They tumbled to the ground, banging heads together.
"What's gotten into you?" The Doctor mumbled as he stood up. "Not you, Luke, the TARDIS."
Sarah Jane in her backyard, hugging Maria as they gaze at the sky…"I have learned that life on Earth can be an adventure, too. You never know what you might find! In all the universe, I never expected to find a family.
"What's the Pandorica?" Luke asked. "Daleks and Cybermen together?"
Oh. That's what the TARDIS was doing. The Doctor tapped the screen. "Clever dear."
"Doctor," Luke repeated.
"Um, yes, well…I'm slightly psychic. Did Sarah ever mention that? But with all the times she got hypnotized, I'm not surprised if she didn't." He rambled on. "I've done psychic head-butts before, but the other two times were intentional. And totally one-sided. But with your brain—"
"What did you see?"
"An answer."
