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Bargaining a Truce

(Interlude S.5 ep.6 &7)

Rory is always there to help. It's his job after all.

-o0O0o-

Rory opened his eyes, sighted and turned on his other side bumping into Amy. Bunkbed, right. He hated waking up in the middle of the…
Something crashed. Again.
Because yes, that definitely was the sound he woke up to. He sat up and rubbed his eyes.

The room was a little more lightened up than necessary. Did the TARDIS do that? Rory had to admit it was a very Intelligent machine, yes but it was sometimes ridiculous how the Doctor and Tella treated it as a conscious person. On the other hand, their people had build it. Either way, it apparently wanted him awake, because the second his feet touched the floor the door to the dimly lighted corridor outside opened.
Okay.
He silently left the room not to wake Amy and followed the blinking lights guiding him deeper down into the TARDIS he ever had been before.
And then he heard the voices.

It was a language unlike anything he heard before. Not this angry fast strings of sentences bubbling down the corridors.
The two Timelords were fighting. Really fighting, not those little squabbles they had before. It had to be expected, Amy told him they always had pushed down a real argument and promised themselves to talk about it later, bottling up accusations and anger, but it still was scary.
Tella's surprisingly loud, downright shrill voice was the first to understand clearly-if he had spoken that language, followed a few steps later by the lower hissing of the Doctor.
Rory didn't need the TARDIS open the Door to know which one he had to take. And froze in the doorway.

Really? A Garden. A Garden!
Well more a roman atrium but still. Wisteria in full bloom everywhere, winding themselves around the columns holding the wooden ceilings over his head. Chairs and tea tables placed in the shadows, while the sun shined down on a marble water fountain in the middle of the rectangle of colonnades. And although it was such a peaceful setting, something was off with it, something dark loomed in it, something heavy.
It were details one easily missed.
No singing birds and Rory somehow knew despite this being a Spaceship there were birds. Some overturned chairs and tables. A broken tea service on the floor, but scattered as if not all of them were smashed at the same time. A storm was brewing on the horizon and the people had left in utter panic, drenching this place in fear and anger. Except they had not.

Tella was pacing up and down next to the fountain, her left hand fidgeting with her necklace, her right behind her back unnaturally pressed against her body as if she was containing herself not to hit her opponent. Which was probably exactly the thing she did.
The Doctor was unnaturally still and if he moved it was angular, stiff and very swift, his eyes solely focused on every single move she made, every single word the Storyteller splat.
They had never seemed that alien before, with that aura of rare power both of them eradicated, two ancient titans fighting and destroying each other solely with words. Who was he, Rory Williams a mere human, to stop them tearing themselves apart? Amy might be calling him stupid sometimes, but he wasn't.
Apparently he needn't to be.

Somehow the Doctor must have noticed him, because he suddenly stopped in mid sentence, slightly relaxed and turned. "Rory?"
Immediately Tella turned her back to Rory as if hiding something, her right hand rubbing her eye while her left still fingered the necklace. Wait.. was she crying?
The Doctor smiled forced, fiddling with his hands. "Rory. Shouldn't you sleep?"
Rory gulped. "Is… everything alright?" He knew it wasn't but he didn't knew what else to say.
"Oh, yes. Yes, sure it is. It's nothing. We're just talking a bit, you know."
Tella turned and yes, her eyes were a bit reddish but her voice was steady and calm as ever. Soft and humming. "We're having an argument."

He immediately went dark again. "Leave him out of this."
"I beg your pardon? You are the one constantly lecturing me about treating them equally."
"There is a difference between treating one equal and dragging them into things they have nothing to do with!"
"I did not intend to include Roderick, merely inform him truthfully of the happenings! As I promised to do. Something you apparently do not understand."
Rory flinched. "Stop! Please. Both of you."

"That is exactly why I didn't want you in this. You don't understand."
Rory gulped. Did he just…? "No Doctor. I don't understand. At all. You're the last of your kind."
"That's not a reason to like each other, you know."
Tella rolled her eyes. "Be silent and let him finish his thoughts. Something like this is lecturing me. Please continue Roderick."

What the hell was going on here. "Why?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Why," Rory repeated. "Tella always says Time Lords are such a high evolved species. Why are you not able to talk each other."
"Because apparently, he never listens."
"She never listens."

They both glared at each other, before Tella rubbed her forehead. "We're sounding like Timetodds. No, like six year old children. I do listen, Doctor. I just do not understand."
"Problem of every Time Lord."
Tella groaned. "Why! What for time's sake is the problem you are having with our species!"
"They're boring."
"Boring. Boring! War-monging hypocrites, that I could understand, yes. But boring!"
"They are boring and ridiculous. Remember the shoulder pieces?"
"It's tradition!"

He laughed bitterly. "This. This is the problem with your lot! We've stopped evolving, standing still for millennia not allowing anything to change. Change always means bad things but everybody forgets that it also can mean improvement. Ages ago we reached the peak of civilization, or as it was seen in those times. And that's the problem, the people calling themselves lord of time refuse to acknowledge that time moves on. That in the ages they clamped themselves onto their traditions they refused to see that what was seen as peak of civilization changed, evolved and other species reaching it, too, some even surpassing them. But they did nothing."
"That's not true. Otherwise I was not able to be here, you know that. The colonies were an adaption, a measure to survive. A change."
"Caused by what, Tella. Caused by a war they provoked by themselves, and which they perfectly were able to avoid if they hadn't been that focused on their traditions. Which had been their downfall."
"You had been their downfall."

"Stop!" Rory interrupted fastly, knowing exactly the direction this would take. And miraculously they did. Still, Tella sighted. "Look at us. Helped by a human."
"I can go, you know."
"This was me merely stating fact, not intending to insult you, dearie. Sometimes the involvement of a third party is beneficial for the outcome of an argument."
"Especially if one of the parties involved is as reasonable as a Netrered Bull."
"At least he admits it."
"Well," Rory reasoned fast. "Already found one thing we all can agree on. Anyway. Ok, so the problem is you have different ..political… social views? Because that's actually the only thing I can see you don't have in common."
"That is an improper generalization, Roderick. The Doctor is an Exile, a person this unsatisfied with our culture he simply left. I might be able to accept his… bearings. But he will be never able to accept mine. He never had and he never will. And I refuse to change them for him. Not after me being the last one alive practicing them."
The Doctor scratched his cheek. "Tella. Lady Storyteller. I don't want you to change them, I want you to open up to other things, accepting them."
"Which exactly will lead to change, Doctor."
"Why are you so afraid of change, Tella."
"Because it will be final, Doctor. I am the Storyteller. I must not change."

"That's not true. We all change. A least twelve times. But you're right. That doesn't make you a Time Lord. That's why all of them stopped to be them such a long time ago."
She snorted. "You can't just stop being a Time Lord."
"Yes. Yes, you can. Tell me, back in the time war, have you still been the Storyteller?"
"Yes."

The Doctor flinched back and blinked. "What? But… You said war-mongingn hypocrites."
Tella looked away and said nothing.
The Doctor carefully stepped closer. "You said war-mongingn hypocrites, Tella," he repeated unbelieving. "You know they lost themselves, threw anything… Of course. You nearly killed Amy for that fix point and even considered breaking time to save those insane fish. You are just as unscrupulous, as unprincipled as …."
"Listen with your heart, tell with your soul. Teach witch both to redeem and remember because the only true constant is Time itself, neither future nor past or present," Tella interrupted hissing. "Stories are, where memories go when they're forgotten, Doctor, so don't you dare. Do. Not. Dare. "
The Doctor and Rory stared at her wide-eyed. This was the far most personal thing she ever had told them about herself.

The Doctor gulped. "This… this is your promise?"
"This is my oath. So please refrain from comparing or even setting me on the same level like those other idiots on the high council or -the white guardian beware- Rassilon himself. You asked me if I had been the Storyteller in the war. You did not ask me if I had been the Storyteller before the war."
Utter relief filled the Doctors features.
"So you know. You know that in the end they had lost themselves."
"And so did I, Doctor. I fought with them, I fell with them. Or why do you think they placed a mind controlling chip in my head."
"Then why, Lady Storyteller, do you think you remember what it truly means to be a Time Lord."
"Because you cannot either. You are an exile."
"And a president of Gallifrey. They always let me return. Reluctantly, but they let me return. They didn't threw me out, I left. Let me help you, Tella. Because frankly, you're not living up to your promise, currently. And you know that."
"I do. To the best of my abilities," Tella insisted.
"But your abilities now, are not the best you can do."
There was a silence lasting a few seconds then Tella slowly shook her head in that way of hers, a precise movement from left to right.. "I am sorry. I cannot trust the person who destroyed everything I loved."

Rory carefully asked: "Then why are you here?"
"Because there is no other place to go. Everything is better than being alone, not alone. A Time Lord is never alone. The last of one's kind. it is only logical to stay together. Everything is better than being the last….Doctor!"
He had tackled her in a surprise hug, despite her vehement protests. "This is going the one and only time, I promise." Then he let her go and chuckled at her disgusted face.
"You are a foolish incoherent Timetodd!"
"And you an old stuffy Timelady."
"And proud of it", she shoot back.

"Ehm, now that we have clarified that, why don't we call it a truce," Rory interfered fastly before they started to threw more insults at each other's head.
"A Truce? There is nothing possible such as a truce."
Rory's heart sunk with the finality Tella said this, but still went on. "I think there is. As I understand, you both did terrible things in that war. So let's call it a clean state. Stop calling yourself out on your differences, your crimes and try to search common ground, and if not, accept each other, at least. If Tella doesn't like to be touched, she has to tell us and we respect that. Also the Doctor hating apples and peas, he tells us and we respect that. Just talk to each other and do not automatically assume the other will not understand. And if Tella feel uncomfortable to talk about stuff before Amy or me then don't do it. That's how we do this on earth. Most of the time."
The Doctor rose his eyebrows but thankfully said nothing, although he definitely had a different opinion on that matter. Tella eyed Rory a long time before she tilted her head a bit to the right. "I might have found a reason why you like them so much. They are as idealistic hypocrites as you are."

"But it is true, "Rory protested. "Everybody knows that if we actually talk to each other, it will work. Normally people simply don't have the patience or time to talk."
The Doctor nodded. "He's right. I don't like you. But at least we can try. Sometimes you need a fresh start. A new beginning. A clean state. Just get rid of everything wrong and make it right. Just start. Start now, start where you are. Start with fear. Start with pain. Start with doubt. Start with hands shaking. Start with voice shaking. But start. Start and don't stop. Start where you are, with what you have. Just start."
"You know, the same applies to you, Doctor. Please stop presenting yourself like a flawless, dutiful person. It's disgusting."
"I left this behind, Tella."
"Nine hundred years? That's what it took you to forget?"

"Yes!" He hissed. "Yes. Because I can't change it. I needed two regenerations to finally come to terms with what I've done. Nine hundred years are a long time, I know you guys on Gallifrey have lost every feeling for time but even you should know that this took a bit longer!"
"Why should we loose our feeling of time? We have more than ten senses to feel it."
The Doctor groaned and buried his face in his hands. "This, Rory. This is why there can't be a truce."
"Then talk to her, Doctor," Rory insisted. He sighted but did as told.
"You have lost the value of Time, Tella. How much a second of a life is worth. How many things one can do in one hour, in one Day. We have such a long life, we forget how much you can do in it. That's why humans are so amazing. They have such a short Lifetime but they accomplish sooo much."

Tella stayed in a thoughtful silence, her eyes strangely distant as if she had shut down completely. Creepy. Rory leaned forward and carefully called her full name but the Doctor hold him back with his hand and shook his head with a grin. "She thinks."
"I see that, but…"
"No. Trust me Rory. If a Time Lord shuts down like this she uses every single cell of her brain and that says a lot."
As if summoned Tella blinked and nodded. "Fine. We will meet at least every 26 hours to discuss and explain events we have accounted, although if there is a pressing matter we will talk about it immediately. In a civil manner, and if there is a argument to be expected we search out a third party to mediate. Do you agree on this terms?"
For this she needed her whole brain? Huh?
But the Doctor clapped his hands together. "Way to go! It's going to be amazing, just you wait!"
"Doctor. One condition. I am free to always return to or stay in the TARDIS whenever I wish to."
"Sure. Of course. Why not?"

She straightened. "Well, then. On Time itself and my oath as a Time Lord of the Dromeian Chapter, I promise to consider and respect other species mindsets . I am going to work on my personal abilities to fulfill the calling that is my name as well as well as my acceptance for the crimes committed by the Time Lord known as the Doctor."
He gulped and nodded. "I …accept. In return I will promise to respect your wishes whenever you voice them."
Tella rose an eyebrow and he fastly added: "On time itself."
Then both bowed before each other, before Tella dropped a small curtsy before Rory as well. "Thank you, Roderick Williams."
"Rory," corrected Rory ,"Uhm, no problem?" Had he really been able to accomplish a truce between the two?

Tella smiled. "Intriguing. Still, speaking of voicing concerns…I hope this is not considered rude but I highly recommend a change into a bit …more clothing?"
Huh? Oh right. Blushing he realized he was in his underpants and a shirt. "Sorry, I just woke up."
"Oh! You're in the middle of your resting cycle?"
The Doctor rolled his eyes. "It's called sleep, Tella. And yeah, He was. Before somebody had to smash those dishes. I think I'll bring him back."
Rory sighted inwardly. Didn't they just agreed onto stopping this?
Tella shot him a glare but luckily nodded . "Of course. I will retreat to my rooms as well, if you need me. May you rest warm in your Dreams, Rory. Doctor."
She nodded to both of them and left but stopped again in the Doorway. "And the Name is Storyteller."
Rory sighted but grinned. "Good night, Lady Storyteller."

Tella nodded once more and disappeared.
And the Doctor suddenly hugged him and twirled him through the air. "Rory Williams! You? Are Brilliant!"
"Whoa! Doctor!" Really. This guy! He steadied himself after having his feet back on the floor and cleared his throat. "Do you think this will work?"
The Doctor waved dismissingly. "It will need some time for her to change, but sure! Now come on, you need to rest. I have thousands of ideas what we can do tomorrow and even more plans!"
Not exactly what he had meant, that for sure. It wasn't only the Storyteller who had to change. Still he said nothing and followed him back even if he wasn't tired anymore. The adrenalin still pumped through his body, that awesome feeling of having a face to face with those two aliens and not only surviving it but gaining a victory. They actually had listened to him! Still, something didn't stop bugging him.
"Doctor? Back there Tella had thought, and you said with every single cell of her brain. And she needed every single cell of her brain to come up with that solution?"
He shoot him that particular glance again. The one always let him feeling like he had asked the stupidest question in the whole universe. "Course not. She's a teacher."
"How… what's that supposed to do with that?"

He rolled his eyes. "Her promise. You didn't listen. She was a teacher. Makes sense, to save the guardians of a culture first, don't you think? Not at the Time Academy, no, the Drome had little interest in politics, but at her Chapter's Academy most certainly. Which makes it even harder."
"Oh. Her chapter's academy. Sure." As if he knew anything he just talked about.
To his credit, the Doctor stopped and rubbed his forehead. "Sorry. It's complicated. That's why I left. Tella is better at explaining this than me. British school system, huh? Barbara and Susan explained it to me once. Primary education, secondary education and higher education, right?"
Rory nodded and he continued. "If you trim it down, like saying it very unspecific, the Chapter Academy's are something like primary and secondary education together at one school and the Time Academy is a bit like the higher education. Much much higher education. Everybody on Gallifrey gets into the Chapter's Academys but only a few chosen ones can continue to The Academy. The Chapters Academy's are the foundation of our society. And Tella was a teacher there."

Oh. He remembered Amy telling him about the Storyteller's outburst on the Byzantium, how she complained about being forced to ignore everything she had ever believed in and was taught her whole life. The things she apparently had taught herself generation after generation. "She weighted the pro's and con's."
"She weighted the pro's and con's ," repeated the Doctor with a triumphant smile. "For probably thousands of years she taught children what it means to be gallifreyan, a specific view on the universe, one that I asked her to over think and overthrew, and she thought about if it's worth it or not with every single cell of her brain. I'm surprised it she needed this long. Thought she needed much more time."
"And that's why you think it will work?"
"She called me a Timetodd."
"Yeah. What's that?"
"A Time- Toddler. A gallifreyan child. She's a teacher and she called me a child."
"I don't think she did this out of affection."
"Why? What's wrong with being childish? There are enough grown up people in this universe. By the way, here we are."
They had reached the door to Amy's and his room. That man was truly a walking contradiction.

Rory shook his head and opened the door but turned again. "Who are Susan and Barbara?"
The Doctor smiled with ancient eyes. "Good night, Rory Williams."
"No seriously. Who are they? Doctor? Doctor!"
But he had already turned and strolled down the corridor with a whistle.
Not only Tella had a strange, mysterious past. Another thing they had in common, and maybe a foundation to this fragile truce. Seemed to be a Timelord thing, after all.


AN: Hey
Here it is, the Big Bang. All based on the fact that the TARDIS does not translate gallifreyan. The first version of this was with Amy but then I realized, as the nurse he is, Rory is way more fitting to solve this problem. That's what he does with Amy all the time after all. She has terrible trust issues and he knows about it and cares about her, constantly proving himself to her because he is afraid she is not captable of loving him. He is such a great character, able to realize exactly what people need and definitely one of my favorites. And Tella needs such a constant, such a nurse in her life, too. You'll realize she hangs out with Amy more but if shit goes down she always consults Rory.

Remember that Garden in Deep Breath where we met Missy for the first time. That's exactly how the setting of this scene looks like. I wasn't able to resist. I originally planed them to have this conflict in the contol room but Tella gets... passionate when really really angry and she'd definitely accidentally broke something on the console. Therefore a calm and distant place in the depths of the TARDIS. You know that saying about never annoy a patient and kind person because those are the most dangerous to anger if you are finaly able to? That's her. Although I admit, she currently has a short fuse anyway.

I also hope I haven't butchered the British school system .
Regarding the Gallifreyan education system, let's just recap that I go with the theory that with eight years every gallifreyan child has to look into the Untempered Schism and if he or she survives is sorted into and educated in the Chapters own Academies in the basics of well everything except time. Those are located in each chapters regions, away from the capital and the citadel. Passing grades there were difficult to achieve and each grade could take years to reach. They take the entrance examination for the Time Academy shortly after looking into the schism. If they are accepted then, after 12 years with their Chapter's Academy, they are enrolled in the Time Academy in the citadel. So you really have to be good and have the financial background (and there has to be place in your chapter's ranks) to be allowed to addend the Time Academy for 100 Years or sometimes even more and gain the rank of a Time Lord.
If you don't pass you remain at your Chapter's Academy. Students who remained could spend decades reaching the 6th or even the 7th grade. The Gallifreyans who left their academy after reaching the 5th Grade generally became media commentators, artists or aids for Cardinals, or even aids for Junior Time Lords, that's how the ones without a TARDIS are called. Passing the 6th grade opened up several job opportunities, including administration of the Citadel, Space Traffic Controller, or Temporal Nexus Point Observation aka controlling the Web of Time. Graduating from the 7th Grade was considered even more difficult and prestigious, but many Gallifreyans stop attending before that point.

By the way, just to clear up the confusion. Tella has a degree as an Timeengineer, as she points out sometimes. Her teaching at the Dromeian academy is like a person with a phd in quantum physics and biochemistry teaching math in primary school. She has a reason why she choose to do that.

I'm a nerd, I know.

Anyway, as always read and drop a review, and thank you for staying with me.
Greetings,
alkatie