Chapter 9: Family Picnic
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Cathryn and Bec had managed to elude the Doctor, escaping the Palace of Versailles to venture into the hidden depths of the garden maze that surrounded the fortress.
Oh, it was a lovely idea but truly they only garnered leave to stroll about outside with attendants not far behind. The idea of escape or being alone was a laughable one in the court especially if you were a woman. Both girls felt dismal at the situation they found themselves in and their prospects of their return had left them grief stricken.
"What will we do?" Bec asked as Cathryn absentmindedly picked a rose from one of the hedge mazes, rolling the stem back and forth between her finger and thumb. She winced. The thorn had penetrated skin and the minor cut started to bleed. Annoyed, she tossed the rose away, only to think of the plight of the real Rose waiting for them back in the 51st century. Did time move differently here than it did there now that the time windows had been closed? If they were truly trapped here, then Rose at some point would have to give up or potentially starve waiting for them to return. And Mickey, Cathryn thought. What about Mickey? There was no love lost between the Doctor and Mickey Smith however, would Mickey be so inclined to wait with Rose if he did start to think the three of them would never return?
"I don't know," Cathryn managed numbly. Running away in the 18th century would prove far more calamitous than staying. They would have no means of surviving and women had no rights. Through Reinette's influence, which was considerable, the King gave them official recognition. No, he gave the Doctor official recognition and title in court where he was hailed for his bravery when the castle was under siege, saving the whole of the royal court. There were talks of land grants, a pension he would receive as income and a dowry for both girls offered should a suitable match be made for them.
Although, the latter issue of suitors had the Doctor cringing, wanting to defer any marriage contracts for the moment. He still promised he was searching for a way to get them back to the TARDIS. Cathryn never knew that she could miss an artificial intelligence but when the presence was cut off so abruptly, a feeling of warmth she hadn't known existed, immediately drained from her. Bec too seemed lackluster at the loss of the time machine whose presence she realised had also taken for granted. It was only an additional burden to add to Bec's despondency.
"I'm sorry." Cathryn could feel the pain so completely, that her heart felt as though it was being crushed. "We tried, you know. Looked at every fireplace we could find." It didn't help matters that so many of them appeared precisely identical but they wanted to be sure that there wasn't some mistake. That their presence might have only caused Reinette to forgo moving the fireplace from her childhood home to a room in Versaille. Cathryn was nearly desperate enough to ask. This certainly wasn't how it happened during the episode and given Bec's frightening explanation at what the court physician attempted to try as a remedy for her condition, she was willing to breach that level of decorum. She shuddered, only thankful she had been unconscious when the man first attempted to 'bleed' her. She had seen some horrible scenes in period films and television. Various doctors cutting into the poor patients backs to release the bad tempers the blood contained when they suffered the plague or sweat. Leaches being used for much the same reason. It made her queasy. The Doctor assured her he had arrived just in time but if incapacitated, did Bec and Cathryn want to risk a second gruesome attempt at this archaic medical procedure?
Bec simply collapsed on the stone bench, staring at the pond, decorated with flowers and lily pads, watching the water shoot up from various tubes in a network boasting its ornate display. It was much like the rest of the palace. A place to marvel at with detailed painting canvassing entire ceilings. Golden silverware. Her bedroom an artistic wonder that was larger than her entire bedroom and living room put together. Everything else, the simple things she had taken for granted in the 21st century was now almost a detail in humiliation. A stool chamber, which she could hardly tolerate just based on the smell. The lack of a faucet with running water at her demand. No showers for the first thing she wanted was to wash the filth off from the exertions of the previous day.
No. Both girls had to wait for water to be heated for a bathtub and since the French feared that water, especially hot water coming into contact with their skin would leave their pores open to germs, it was scandalous for a woman to want to bathe in hot water much less wash their hair. The Doctor and Reinette assisted although the courtesan had been wary at the explanation since her she had adapted to these customs for all her life. The one thing she stood her ground on was that both Bec and Cathryn bathe with their shifts on, to keep in tone with French modesty.
Neither one objected to this condition, since the idea of removing their clothes in front of the Doctor was an experience in humiliation that they wished to avoid. He had managed to contrive a cleansing agent for their hair that was closer to soap. Reinette had protested, explaining that shiny hair, caused by the oil from lack of bathing was a fashion statement. Neither of them wished to offend her since she had been such a gracious host but it had become obvious that her hair was infested with lice.
Cathryn had shuddered internally when Reinette explained that all she used to cleanse herself was cold water, very occasionally, fresh linen while using perfume and other fragrances to conceal any bad odours.
Between the two girls, they weren't certain how they would become accustomed to such disordered fashion trends. The King alone had stated he had only fully bathed on his wedding day and not a time since. Now, that the Doctor, while they had slept, enabled them telepathically to understand and communicate to the members of the court, they were able to function more readily once spoken too. Still, however he had managed to facilitate their minds to translate the French, Spanish and other languages spoken in their midst, it did not replace the sensation of the TARDIS. The words sounded odd despite the fact they heard them in English and Cathryn couldn't help but think that something fundamental was missing.
Who would have ever thought I might miss my prison? Cathryn sighed. Perhaps it was merely the fact that one prison cell was more optimal than the other.
Now, they were outside given that they longed for fresh air since being cooped up in a room, any room, no matter how beautiful it was, still acted as confinement. Both were trying their hand at needlework. Cathryn grimaced, looking at her progress, having relegated this task to arts and crafts, which never interested her before. If this was really what a woman considered entertainment, she felt herself likely to go mad.
She jabbed her needle through, poking the same thumb that had been abused by the rose. "I'm horrible at this," she exclaimed to Bec. "Sewing? I have never sewed!" She tossed the cross stitching work on the bench right next to her.
"If it makes you feel better, I'm having no more luck at this than you are." Bec's voice was cross. She stared at the partially clouded sky, hearing birds chirping in the distance. Otherwise, it was so quiet. No cars streaming by, the buzz of devices or computers. No televisions, iPods or laptops. Nothing to fill the long hours besides from changing from a day gown to one acceptable for her to walk outdoors in. Yes, that filled her hours. Four dress changes a day, all of which took an hour to complete. She never thought her ribs could feel this utterly sore from a corset that would give her no relief.
"I see you two have been in hiding." It was Reinette, coming towards them, a gentle smile on her lovely face as she greeted her two friends. She was only too relieved that they had recovered so completely from the horrendous attack they suffered at the hands of the monsters she was narrowly saved from and to have them all here, warmed her heart. Still, she couldn't help but see their abject misery at being trapped away from their own time and sought to find a means to bring them some good cheer. "I was speaking to the Doctor only moments ago and he agreed that today would be fitting for us to go on a picnic on the French countryside." She saw the looks of concern passing between the two. "There is no need to fear. I will be in attendance and the location isn't far. There is a lovely view I wish to show you of the Seine and we can all watch the sunset together." She smiled encouragingly at them. "And the Doctor attests he will ensure all liquids and food to be served will be safe for your consumption."
Cathryn glanced at her rejected sewing project before looking at Reinette. "The last picnic the Doctor wished to take us on didn't go so well."
Reinette stepped closer, managing to sit between the two girls, gently placing her hands on theirs. "But in that attempted venture, you didn't have me for company. I can assure you a far more pleasurable time."
"And I can promise you that there are no more clockwork droids left in this century." It was the Doctor's voice. "I have made certain of it and I know I still owe you both that picnic. We don't want to disappoint our hostess now, do we?"
Cathryn let out a muffled groan. If they couldn't leave this century, didn't stand a chance at getting to Pete's world, was there a point still in playing along with the Doctor's whims? She closed her eyes….but, she swallowed. She wanted to ask Reinette, what became of her fireplace and if it was still in her original home, could they chance to visit it. The picnic might provide that opportunity. If that was the case, then there would be a need to keep up some form of their previous act if only for the small chance of returning back home.
"I don't know. Maybe," Cathryn said finally. "I might like to find out what happened in between." She paused as Reinette glanced at her puzzled. "The years we weren't there. Perhaps you could tell us?" She glanced at Bec meaningfully. It wasn't very direct and just a little vague but she hoped her friend caught her meaning. In this conversation, she wanted to determine how their presence had impacted the nuances of Reinette's life versus what they saw on the show. Then, maybe by some fortune if God granted them an answer to prayer, they just might find a solution to this predicament they had voluntarily allowed themselves to be trapped in.
Bec wasn't certain what the other girl was up to, but the glance she sent her way warned her she was plotting something, and she trusted Cathryn to act in their favour, so she would try to play along until she could work out what her purpose was.
"Okay," she agreed, even though she wasn't certain she was up to having a day out. It would mean an extra change of clothes after all, and she was already struggling not to snap at the poor servants whose task it was to help her change. She had tried to befriend them, but the social status was apparently too big a gap for them to cross, as she couldn't convince the girls to treat her as they did each other.
"Weeell, I thought you could both use a day out, as it were, away from the royal court and its social conventions. A day to relax in the countryside. And it just so happens that I know exactly the place where we can get away for a while. Somewhere we can just be ourselves for a bit," he told them both invitingly. "I've taken the liberty of asking for our horses to be saddled, yours too, Reinette. Say, we head out in about an hour?" he suggested.
Bec grumbled to herself. She was right. Just enough time to change into their riding dresses. All the different dresses and the occasions they were to be worn for had been explained to her, but the whole business just seemed tedious to her. She was the sort of person to roll out of bed, throw on whatever clothes were handy for the day, simply adding a nice cardigan or coat if she was heading out for the night.
"So where are we going?" she asked half-heartedly.
"Reinette said," he answered, nodding towards the aristocrat. "Little estate by the Seine. Used to be one of the kings many holiday estates, until recently. Thought it would make for a good excuse to get out for a while."
"Come," Reinette smiled, offering Bec her arm. "If we are to arrive in suitable haste, we'd best begin our preparations."
Bec accepted her invitation, consoling herself that, if they only had to change now and didn't return until the evening that would be one less dressing room visit for them.
When the girls finally emerged again, they found not only their own horses prepared, but also two footmen and Reinette's maidservant standing in wait. The lack of privacy and independence in this time period was almost stifling. Cathryn rode the mare the Doctor had sourced on the ship (apparently he had tempted it onto the ship through a time window without crossing into France himself), while Bec rode behind the Doctor on Arthur once more, lacking the skill and confidence necessary to ride by herself.
The Doctor gave running commentary of the various sights they passed, elaborating on both the history and the future of the landmarks along their path, careful with his spoilers given the local presence in their party. Cathryn, with her knowledge of history was able to join in on the discussion, but Bec just sat silently absorbing the sights and sounds.
"Here we are," the Doctor announced as they rode down a long cobbled road that reminded Bec of a driveway.
"Didn't you say this was the king's holiday house?" Bec asked as a grand manor crept into view.
"It was, but he gifted it away with a barony. Cathryn? Rebecca? Welcome to our new home away from home!" He beamed as he flourished one arm expansively, gesturing to the house and land around them.
"What?" Bec exclaimed, glancing around in surprise. "He just gave you a house?"
"Bestowed," he corrected her. "Land and title. Estates and responsibility." His face twisted in distaste on his final word. "The staff were informed yesterday of the change in ownership. I sent word ahead to prepare a picnic for us, and then we can go exploring. If you'd like..."
Cathryn swallowed. Had he truly given up? Were all options exhausted? As she looked up at the three story, ivy covered estate, she felt the renewed ache of loss throb inside her chest and took a deep breath. She glanced at Bec who was examining their to be future home in trepidation, her grief already clear. The other girl was having a harder time of it than she was. Cathryn could only blink her eyes rapidly as she looked at the gardens imagining her niece playing amongst the bushes. Still, she wasn't separated from children or a husband. She could only imagine what Bec was feeling right now if her grief was any indicator acting as a measurement on its own.
By the time they entered through the iron gates and dismounted their horses with the help of footmen, the Doctor was being introduced by Reinette to the staff of servants, which he seemed to more readily take in stride. Estates. She thought. A woman wasn't specifically entitled to property. If she was lucky enough to outlive her husband, she might have more freedom while she ran her home. Saw to the education of her children. Whether she had children and if they survived the plague, sweat, typhus or tuberculosis. But then, her parents or the king could simply have it in mind for her to remarry.
It made her cringe and she took Bec's hand struggling to control the various amounts of dread she felt churning inside her. The Doctor glanced back at them with a concerned expression and Cathryn pressed her lips together, trying to compose herself. Obviously, he could see her terror plainly on her face, then how would she endure this? How would either of them have any hope of finding a way back, whatever slim chance it could be?
"Right," Cathryn said, hoping the tremor wasn't evident in her tone. Reinette was here and she certainly didn't wish to upset the woman to whom they both considered a friend. Likely Reinette's relationship with the King also acted in persuasion to their character. What if the King considered their sudden intrusion into Versaille a threat along with the clockwork droids? Their circumstances could be horrendously worse given the soldiers he had to command and then where would they go? It would be considerably longer trying to get to England and taking their chances with King George II. Considering that France and England were hostile towards one another, she wouldn't have liked their chances.
"It's beautiful," she managed when she saw Reinette glance their way. "Perhaps we'll go look inside." She looked at Bec, hoping it was a chance the two of them might be alone, at least for the moment.
"Any longer and the picnic would surely start to spoil," Reinette interceded, taking both their hands. "Your rooms aren't prepared yet nor has your wardrobe arrived." She gave them a smile, guiding them towards the back of the house. Their customs were entirely strange to her. Wouldn't they know by now they would need to change out of their riding clothes if they were to enter the house? "I would think you two would be famished already." It had after all been a long while since breakfast and strangely, they appeared to be sparse eaters. The French Marquise pondered these habits but knew eventually they would grow accustomed to the French style of dining especially with her strict tutelage.
Cathryn only sighed briefly as Bec cast her a tired glance, but both reluctantly following the courtesan's lead.
Reinette led them up to a small hill to a rug with a spread of fruits, cheeses, breads and wines. Bec grimaced slightly at the selection of drinks, but she remembered Cathryn's advice regarding the sanitation of the water. At the worst, there were large bunches of grapes that would help to quench her thirst without having to drink the wine. The three women were just beginning to seat themselves when the Doctor bounded up, Bec and Cathryn trying to mimic Reinette's grace amongst all the layers of skirt that encompassed them, as well as the restrictive corset. Their only consolation was that the riding corset allowed minutely more movement to them than the corsets they were to wear with their court dresses.
"Lovely," the Time Lord announced as he just shy of threw himself on the ground beside the picnic, lazing back as though he had not a care in the world. "So, what do you think?" he asked his girls, even as he already sensed their trepidation.
"It's nice," Bec answered honestly, but her voice still held a distinct lacklustre undertone. "Very grassy."
They rented a dingy little house back home, but the backyard was enormous. Most of the properties nearby has been subdivided, a second house built where there was enough room, or the house knocked down altogether and a duplex built in its place. Finding a place with so much yard space was a rare gem, but it did mean suffering a rundown house. She smiled bittersweetly, remembering her boys running barefoot over the grass. She would always, without fail, yell at them to put their shoes on. Her boys would have loved this grass.
"Yes," Cathryn muttered in agreement. "Grassy." She didn't hesitate but take one of the proffered glasses of wine that were so nicely laid out on the table, only to meet the Doctor's somewhat disapproving expression. She met his gaze briefly and shrugged. "What is it?" she challenged. It seemed hypocritical that he would take the so-called higher ground in this. After all, she remembered during the episode although had not witnessed him bragging about inventing the banana daiquiri centuries early at the French court. She knew given the events it was extremely likely that he too had indulged in the wine during the masquerade they both attended.
Reinette came to his rescue extending a plate to Cathryn, complete with chicken, cheese and fruit. "I think you'll find the flavor of the wine complements well with the cheese. At least I find it so."
Cathryn was forced to take the plate, briefly pausing to examine the cheese. It looked somewhat similar to Brie but….she frowned at the subtle color change.
"It's safe," the Doctor assured her. He had already done a discreet scan of the food items but could feel both Cathryn and Bec's evident concern. "It's Camembert. Similar to Brie. Quite nice too."
"Is the water safe too?" Bec asked. Now that the topic had been broached, she might as well address it. The weather was rather warm and as much as she nibbled on the grapes, she did long for water. In answer, he produced for her a glass bottle from the depths of his coat and Cathryn watched the exchange, wondering if this was to be their life. How would they survive the court when lengthier meals were a ritual? Perhaps, now that they had this home, court life could be avoided but…. nothing was ever quite that simple and when everything you had came from the King, she knew how swiftly it could also be taken.
"Maybe you could give us iodine to cleanse the water," Cathryn suggested. "When you can't do it for us in public. It would be more convenient."
"You know about iodine and purifying water?" the Doctor remarked in surprise. Cathryn hadn't displayed an inclination of any kind towards chemistry.
"Only what I read in 'The Hunger Games'," she answered. Oh, how she longed for her iPad with all her books on her Kindle application.
"What is this 'Hunger Games'?" Reinette asked in confusion. "There are people who use hunger as a form of competition?"
"Oh no, it's…" Bec paused. "They're just stories that are supposed to take place in the future when the leader of this country forces children to fight one another to the death for the entertainment of others."
"Oh my." Reinette could only shake her head. "That's dreadful. Was there not even a war to cause it?"
"It's a book," Cathryn said. "The story from Greek mythology of Theseus volunteering as a tribute to face the minotaur in the labyrinth. These are simply retellings of that tale." She saw the Doctor examine them. Did the 'Hunger Games' even exist in this universe? She had never thought to check but then, what difference would it make? "It's just what you said before about 'Stargate'. Just rubbish, isn't it?" Perhaps it was but it was a provocative plotline with some handy survival skills embedded in the story.
"Stargate," Reinette repeated. She knew the Doctor had travelled the stars and she pondered the word in reflection. "Is that a means of how you journeyed through time? This stargate?" She gazed back at the Doctor who was frowning at both his girls.
"No, no, not quite. I have a ship. Better or I should say safer than a stargate or just travelling unprotected in an artificial wormhole," he mused before looking at his granddaughter. "Bec, you said you saw this on the telly?" His interest was suddenly peaked. "Want to tell me a little more about it?"
Bec pressed her lips together nervously. She was a bit nervous about sharing her favourite TV show from her teenage years, but pleased for the opportunity as well. She just hoped he and Cathryn didn't think it was just a silly show. She plucked another grape, fiddling with it absentmindedly as she spoke.
"Well," she began, dragging out the word in the same manner as the Time Lord. He grinned ruefully at her mimicking his speech patterns. "The Stargate was this huge ring, big enough for people to walk through, bigger even. It was found buried in Egypt. The story goes that the Egyptian gods were aliens, parasites. They used the Stargate, and spaceships, to come to and conquer the earth. But the Gate got buried and the aliens left.
"Eventually, after it was found, it came into the possession of the US military. This expert archeologist, Daniel Jackson, translated the writing around the Gate, and they got it working. After a while, they had teams that went through and explored other planets, meeting new people and races, making new enemies. The team the show was about, SG1, it was always they who, at the last moment, saved the earth from total destruction."
"What about the Stargate itself," the Doctor asked casually. "Where did it come from?"
"Oh, this other race made them, the Ancients. It was made of this special rock, this superconducting mineral or something. I don't really remember its properties, but it was called Naquadah. It was covered in these rune like things, I think they called them chevrons, but were actually constellations. You needed six chevrons to specify your destination, like the sides of a cube, then one for your point of origin. There were Gates on planets throughout the galaxy, at least three or four galaxies anyway. The Stargates connected to each other with a wormhole so you could travel between them, but you could only travel in one direction. I don't know if that's true of real wormholes or not, or if that was just from the show, the effect of the event horizon the Gates created or something," she commented, thinking about the episode The Planet of the Dead where the Doctor and others travelled in a bus through a wormhole in the opposite direction from where the wormhole was being created.
She paused, noticing the Doctor's disquiet, seeing his almost sour expression. "It was just a show," she qualified hurriedly. "It was a bit of fun. I watched it as a teenager. I mean, given some of the things that happened on the show, the mess of time travel and stuff, it could never have happened."
"What mess?"
Bec shot a look to Cathryn, feeling more and more uncomfortable by his mood. Maybe she was right initially, that it was one of those TV shows that he would comment on disparagingly while insulting humans. So she tried to dig herself out of her hole by appealing to his Time Lordiness, pointing out some of the problems she had with the shows use of time travel.
"Well, there was one episode that was fine, ish. There was a solar flare at the same moment they opened the Gate and the team ended up in 1969. It ended up being an ontological paradox where they caused the Gate program to be started before finding their way back to their own time again. Before they left, their CO had given them a note with a list of times written down when the sun would flare in 1969, because they briefly met him in the past. But there were other times when they created new timelines and cancelled others out or had time loops or bubbles where time was locked or slowed, but, they explained the science in show, but technically they should have destroyed the universe..." She trailed off uncomfortably, looking down at the grape in her hand, warm now from where she'd been rolling it between her fingers.
"Anyways," she muttered, feeling like she was in trouble. "It was just a show, a story. Did you ever see it, Cathryn?" she asked, nervously trying to take the focus off herself.
"It sounds a little familiar, but no, I don't think so," she answered. The team and the time travel sounded totally foreign to her, but Bec's description of the Stargate vaguely rang a bell. However, she couldn't quite catch hold of the elusive memory.
The Doctor, though, was becoming increasingly concerned by Bec's story. To have to care for his granddaughters when they innately displayed such knowledge and awareness... and without his TARDIS...
After he had ended the Time War, he had hidden for a number of years in his ship, just floating aimlessly through the vortex before he could bring himself to face a reality where his race no longer existed, and at his own hand. But when he had returned to real time and space, the universe assaulted him with possibilities, timelines that would have irrevocably destroyed the universe had they been allowed to come to pass, possibilities that had once been negated by the presence of the Time Lords. Now, his was the burden to protect and uphold the laws of time, and he had spent years preventing every destructive timeline before they had even begun. It was his responsibility. Did Bec realise her description corresponded so closely with one of the possibilities he had aborted? Except, if he was correct, she seemed to be aware of far more of that timeline than even he was, if she could describe the violations he sought to prevent. He could merely sense they would happen. She knew far more detail.
'Stories. TV shows,' they had said. Was this how they perceived time?
Meanwhile, Cathryn was thinking and apparently since Bec was being placed under such scrutiny for her entertainment choices, she needed a little assistance. Stargate. She thought. Egypt. Wormhole. Aliens pretending to be Egyptian gods. The military and….a flash of insight occurred to her.
"James Spader," she said finally as Bec glanced at her in confusion.
"He was an actor in the movie, wasn't he? Stargate? He could read the hieroglyphs and talk to the people there. The aliens." She thought quickly. "Did the alien's eyes sort of glow?"
"Yes." Bec felt a sensation of relief. "When the parasite took over the host, their eyes glowed. So you did see it."
"Well, I think I just saw the movie. Not the show. But the humans killed the alien in that show with a nuclear weapon…" Cathryn told her in confusion. "They said he was one of the last of his kind."
"Maybe he thought so, or wanted everyone else to think so," Bec considered. "But he wasn't. Many more where they came from. Used a sarcophagus to heal themselves, bring others back from the dead."
"Oh, like the Osirians," Cathryn considered.
"In what way?" the Doctor asked.
She frowned at him. "Really? You dragged everyone to the Louvre to look at a Sarcophagus that was keeping some mummy robot alive as well as the Osirian who parasitically attempted to invade our own minds. This show, silly as it is, seems like it has similar themes. Like a possible time line that was prevented or…."
The Doctor was now staring at her and that gaze alone made her nervous. Her stomach clenched and she licked her lips. "Or it's just a silly show. Like the 'Hunger Games'. So many silly shows out there, it's hard to keep track."
"Is there?" The Time Lord exhaled slowly examining both his granddaughters wondering how acutely aware they were of different timelines in this fashion. Without his equipment in his medbay, studying the progress of their organs transitioning as well as their brains developing the more intricate psionic pathways, it made him exceptionally nervous. Perhaps, he would dedicate a few rooms of the house as his laboratory and new medical bay. It would be rather rudimentary but far more advanced than what any of these humans had. Over time, he would regain the instruments he needed to monitor his granddaughters in a more precise degree.
"I met a race once, a long time ago, for them and for me," he commented, his voice sounding almost wistful. "Called the Alterans. They were very advanced for their time. They were building a method of travel, of transportation, that sounds similar to your Stargate. But I could sense the danger to time if they built it and seeded it through the galaxies as they planned. It took a while, I had to go back more than once, but I eventually 'convinced' them to set their project aside and find other projects to focus on. That race was a real bother. Too advanced for their own good. The Time Lords, when they had been around, hadn't even let them evolve in the first place. It took me a few years of jumping around their centuries to prevent them from creating the paradoxes you mentioned. And, yes, they would have torn the universe apart."
Bec's heart was racing as she listened to him, fighting the urge to run or cry or both. She recognised the name he mentioned, the Alterans. That had been the name given in the show for the Ancients, she simply hadn't been able to remember it in giving her description. No, she whispered to herself. He's lying. I don't know how, but he's lying. "It's just a show," she defended sullenly, bottling down her fear.
"Are you sure?" he asked, raising his eyebrow at her, but she wouldn't look at him. He knew he needed to be patient with them, but he also needed to understand their abilities as completely as possible for him to best protect them and the universe. Once more he hoped for the day their physical transition was completed so their proper instruction as Time Lord youths could begin.
"Yes but maybe…" Cathryn shook her head, glancing at Reinette who seemed confused at the direction the conversation was having. "Perhaps we should discuss this later given our present company." She looked at the courtesan. "I'm sorry Reinette. Our talking about television shows, while you're here. That is rather rude of us."
"Not at all." Reinette gave her a soft smile. "I find it rather fascinating. The entertainments you both enjoyed. I for one can only say that I enjoyed decorating, love music, art and the occasional theatre visit." She lowered her eyes. "Of course, the King's chaplain and I disagree that theatre undermines the Church. So far, I have prevailed on this matter."
"Perhaps you can take us to the theatre?" Cathryn asked, trying to muster some encouragement. "If you enjoy it, I'm sure we will."
"Thank you, my friend for your support." Reinette nodded. "I, of course, knew I would have it." She glanced at the Doctor. "And might it prove an olive branch to bring your family closer together in the bond between your minds that is already forming." Reinette didn't see the Doctor's alarm as the courtesan mentioned the natural bond that was just in its early stages. "I am told that even in this early stage, you three are able to experience one another's strong emotions. Surely, this will provide insight while you grow as a family."
Cathryn could only look at Reinette, feeling stricken. A buzzing sound filled her ears. She heard the words and she struggled to process them. Bond. A natural Bond. It was growing. The Doctor had facilitated a Bond between himself with both the girls without even asking them. There wasn't so much of a word. He just implemented it and….she thought of the Louvre and the psychic attack Cathryn and Bec both experienced. Was that when it occurred? Or was it even more maligned in purpose? Was it a result of those needles forced upon them each day?
"A Bond," she started. "You started a family bond." She glanced at Bec who appeared just as shocked. "At what point were you going to tell us?" She thought of when Sara found out in 'Lost in Reality'. That too was at the hands of another. The Master was the one to deliver that shocking news and Sara had been furious. Cathryn swallowed. "Wait, I think I know this. You didn't think you would get permission, so you forced your way into the core of our minds to set this up. Two for the price of one? Adopted us that way, right?"
How did she know about telepathic adoption? He looked at Cathryn and back at Bec. Both had stopped eating at the sudden revelation of this news. Running his hands through his hair, he struggled to explain.
"I didn't adopt you," the Time Lord said finally. "No need for adoption when there is already a blood claim and you are of my own house. The natural bond started to form upon your arrival to this reality. When I recognised you as my kin." He blew out a breath. "It's called entrelacement. The telepathic recognition that develops between family members and the connection starts to grow. It will take time," he assured them. "I promise, you'll start to adapt and-"
"And then what?" Cathryn challenged. "Do our conversations stop becoming private because you can always listen in?" She was thinking of the marriage bond between Rose and the tenth Doctor. Perhaps in this reality, a family bond worked in a similar way to a marriage bond so that their privacy, the sacred need to be alone with her own thoughts would simply vanish.
"It does not happen that way." His voice was firm but he was astonished. How did Cathryn know about bonding to such an extensive level? Maybe her facts were a little skewed in confusing a marriage bond with a family bond but….this was serious. From their expressions, they seemed to have a steady awareness of what a bond meant and how it could be used. He swallowed, placed his chin in his hands. "You both seem to know a bit about bonding, don't you?" Even if Cathryn was doing most of the talking, he could feel Bec's strong recognition of the matter as well as see it on her face.
Cathryn and Bec shared an uneasy glance and the Time Lord shook his head.
"Oh no, hard to deny it now. But your developing ancestral knowledge. Can be a little confusing unless…." He paused, sensing their shifting emotions. "It's something else." He leaned forward. "So, where did you learn about bondings? Was it on the telly?" He looked over at Bec who merely closed her eyes, her discarded grape, dropped on her lap as she rubbed her forehead. "Was it a story?" The Doctor's voice was insistent.
"No, I'm not doing this anymore," Bec answered, her raised voice containing both panic and anger. "Yes, it's a story, it's all just a story. All of it! The whole thing! And I know what you're thinking," she accused, pointing at him, "but it's not our story. Someone else came up with the Doctor who stole a TARDIS and ran away. People have been writing about you since you first kidnapped Barbara and Ian. And look! Still on the kidnapping theme here!" She gestured between herself and Cathryn. "You're just a story. You're not our story. You're someone else's. Go kidnap them and tell them they're time sensitive or precognitive or whatever you want. Just stay out of my head!"
"Bec," he said gently, aware as he was that her overriding emotion was fear rather than anger.
"Rebecca," she corrected spitefully. "Can you stop it?" she asked, her voice almost begging. "The Bond, can you stop it?"
He looked at her speculatively, before slowly and gently answering, "No." He decided against saying he wouldn't even if he could.
She tried to remember everything she'd read about... what were they called? Puerile Bonds. She remembered when Sara and Lilly ran away in 'Lost in Reality', how Sara hid in a shopping centre, but Ten could point out her location to Nine without even looking. Would that happen to them? Would they even be able to escape him on Pete's world? Except, when Sara was far enough away, he couldn't sense her anymore. Would they be able to get that far away quickly enough? They'd have to make sure he was totally distracted and unable to follow them when they ran, that meant just running off when Rose and Mickey did might not be enough. But maybe if they slipped out of the mansion just before the Cybermen attacked...
Cathryn took a deep breath, seeing Bec's panic and fear at this encroaching situation. Her mind tried to process what Amber and herself had written more than a year ago. But it was maddening. Now they had to consider a form of telepathic control that wasn't even part of the show.
"I'm someone else's story." The Doctor was repeating one of Bec's statements she had made in their defense. He pondered whether this meant more of his children survived and had thrived or were thriving in the dimension his girls had originated from. Or it was more likely an obstructed view of their ancestral memory in a way their developing minds could understand it. Through story telling or similar methods. Once their bodies had fully transitioned, they would be less prone to this confusion but during this stage, well, as Rose only recently reminded him, he needed to be patient. "Whose story am I, then?"
Cathryn looked at Bec, able to tell her temper as well as feeling her own. But what good would it do them here? For all they knew, they could be trapped in this timeframe for the rest of their lives. If they found a way back to the spaceship and if they got to Pete's World…
A whole lot of if's. She clenched her hands together, angry about this revelation but from what she knew about the puerile bond, from what she and Amber had written, it was implacable. But, she thought, he said ours was developing. It's not that strong. Sara, even when she didn't know it, could hear some of the Doctor's thoughts projected to her. She could sense his emotions. It was a strong connection. Aside from the time the Doctor had physical contact with them, Cathryn didn't have that same sensation. So, whatever it was, it was new. If it was stronger, he would be able to send telepathic emotions without the need for a touch. She recalled the moment when Nine had managed to capture Sara while Ten materialized the TARDIS around her. He had sent calming sensations into her mind without laying hands on her directly.
"Is that really what you want to know?" Cathryn averted the question. "But then, people are writing stories about you here, aren't they? On the internet, there were even photos…." She thought about the Black Archive and Queen Elizabeth I. "Paintings of you, even." She was careful not to be specific. He hadn't met Elizabeth I yet and now, she couldn't be certain if he would. But he had to be aware of the photos taken of him during the Kennedy assassination and the sinking of the Titanic. "People here will always tell stories. They can't help themselves." She briefly reflected on 'A Journal of Impossible Things' written by the great granddaughter of Joan Redfern whom encountered the Family of Blood in 1913.
The Doctor sighed. Cathryn was attempting to evade the subject and Rebecca was already looking at him spitefully. "Of course humans will tell stories," he relented. "Sometimes, they're even about me. Buuuut, from where did you find those details about family bondings?" He paused. "Another story about me, then? Something online?"
Cathryn pressed her lips together, glancing at Bec before coming to a decision. "Yes. Something online. There was a story about a girl named Sara." She wasn't going to bring up Lilly's name. Enough risk was being taken by telling this hypothetically. "It was an accident of sorts but she ended up in a telepathic bond with a Time Lord."
The weight of the Doctor's eyes was upon her and Cathryn felt her own heart pound inside her chest. It was then that Reinette placed her hand gently on Cathryn's arm. "How mysterious," the courtesan said. "That the two should form a connection though it not being intentional." She paused to look at the Doctor. "Does it not seem similar to our own story?" Reinette proposed. "But surely since you have travelled in and out of time so readily, other bonds were formed and connections made without preparation. A story like this is not wholly unique." She glanced at Cathryn. "Did it end favorably?"
"I suppose." Cathryn managed, thinking on both Sara and Lilly until the Time Lord in question looked at her.
"You suppose?"
"I mean, yes," she grinded out. "Much was left to the imagination for the future. But it was still just a story." She shook her head. "Was supposed to be a story." How often would that phrase come back to haunt her. 'Truth is stranger than fiction.'
"Perhaps someday you could venture to tell me more of your tales," Reinette suggested. "I would take interest in hearing them."
"Perhaps," Cathryn said hollowly. She put down her plate. Whatever vestiges of an appetite she did have, had since left her.
Reinette moved closer to Cathryn, taking the girls hand in her own. She hoped her news might brighten the other's spirits considering the turn their discourse had just taken. "I know considering the degree of your change of circumstances, your new environment must be of some surprise," Reinette started. "But there has been an offer made and considering the esteem for which I place in the man extending the honor, I think of no one better deserving than you."
Cathryn was nibbling on an apple before looking at the courtesan with concern. "Reinette, I do appreciate all that you have done on our behalf. It is far more than our deserving." She was careful in how she worded the phrase.
"Your deserving?" The courtesan's eyes twinkled merrily. "By all means, you seemed to have accomplished this task quite on your own." She took her hand and squeezed it. "But unlike others in my position, I know I will never have to concern myself over jealousy being the friendship we both share." Her smile widened. "On the contrary, I am overjoyed at your good fortune and wish you well."
"Wish me well?" Cathryn asked. She was thinking hard. "Reinette…." She paused, remembering the courtesan's rank. "My Lady, you have already done us such great services. We hardly deserve anymore at your hands. If you are thinking of a marriage, I don't feel prepared to…"
"There is no need to worry about a marriage Cathryn." Reinette consoled her. "The King has requested your presence back at court. You will be given great chambers as befitting your rank and be well cared for." She paused. "In turn, I suspect, your own family will rise in esteem, titles and wealth for your service that you offer at Versaille." She frowned, seeing that Cathryn's face had grown frightfully pale. "There is no need to worry. I will be at your side, teaching you everything you are required to know. And since I already know you to be a true friend, there will never be a need for us to compete."
"Compete," Cathryn echoed hollowly.
"The King has decided to honor you with a position as one of his mistresses. There is only a minor few at court with me as the head courtesan but both the King and I discussed this. How he has set his sights on you those years ago at the masquerade and I agreed you to be an honorable lady to serve as his companion." She noticed the expression of disquiet on Cathryn's face. She squeezed her hand. "The King is a very gentle and considerable companion. He will extend to you anything you might wish or need."
Tears prickled in her eyes. She felt her blood start to freeze. "Reinette," Cathryn started. "My faith….our faith, is so important to me." Her voice was soft. "Might I consider living in convent? It's just that…" She swallowed. "The most intimate act between a man and a woman, I would save for marriage. If I became married."
"This is France, not England, Cathryn," Reinette tried to remind her. She was struggling to tell her what an honor it was that the King selected Cathryn. How he was drawn to her at the masquerade ball. The King's right to choose a mistress, more than one if it pleased him, came by divine right of God, agreed upon by the Pope. "Surely you can't mean for the King to annul his marriage to the Queen to marry you?" A chiding note had entered the courtesan's tone.
"No, I promise you, I'm not," Cathryn said. "I just want to live quietly and…." Tears slipped down her cheeks. "I've really had no luck with men. Two forced me to….." She paused, taking a deep breath. "I'm afraid. Please, Reinette. I don't think this position is suited for me."
"I will be right there to help you," Reinette assured her. "So that you can be reminded you have nothing to fear."
Immediately, feeling hopeless, she allowed Bec to put an arm around her in support. "I can't let this happen," She whispered to Bec. "I would rather die."
"We won't let it happen," Bec promised. "Did the King talk to you about this?" she asked. Maybe there were vital clues they both had missed.
Cathryn frowned. "Not a word," she answered.
"No," the Doctor spoke up. "He wouldn't." But he was thinking of Cathryn's words. How she would rather die than become the mistress to the King. It concerned him. She said she was forced. Forced to do what?
"How do you mean?" questioned Bec.
"What the King wants, the King gets," stated the Doctor, his voice taking a serious tone.
"And... and you're okay with this?" asked Cathryn, her lip starting to tremble. "You think..."
"Hold your tongue," ordered the Time Lord in a low voice. He would address the matter with them in private. Neither Reinette nor the servants would understand their reticence because of the cultural differences between them, and he didn't want to risk word getting back to the king that he had no intention of acceding to the man's demands.
Cathryn clenched her teeth together. Would the Doctor do that? Would he hand her over to the King to be used? Would he support the idea of her being forced to be the King's mistress? What would happen if she declined? What would happen if she said no? Did she even have a choice? Choice. I could say no, at worst be executed. At best, all the positions that were bestowed would be taken away.
Bec jumped to her feet quickly. Which was amazing considering the cumbersome clothes she'd been forced to wear. The 21st century woman was preparing to give the Doctor a piece of her mind on Cathryn's behalf when she was stopped short by a voice.
"Good morrow," stated the King. He'd come through the trees on his horse with several others from court, and managed the get close enough to the picnic without being noticed by the girls. He dismounted.
Of course they'd have to greet him properly. Whatever that means. They curtseyed, ducking their heads down. Cathryn couldn't even stand to look at him so this was the best option.
"Have you told them the good news?" asked the monarch.
"Yes, my lord," answered Reinette.
"Excellent." The King smiled like he'd just bestowed one of his greatest gifts upon the Doctor and fully expected to be honored for his generosity. "I have more good news for you, my friend."
"More good news, your Highness?" the Doctor carefully kept his voice jovial. I don't know if I can take any more good news, he thought to himself. The Time Lord had never been one to play at pleasing aliens before. But he was well versed in playing the political game. He'd grown up on Gallifrey after all. And the Doctor was well aware he couldn't just run off like he usually did when things got too domestic without his TARDIS. So he smiled, and gave the human monarch the honor he expected.
"I've given my consent for you to take the hand of your lovely Rebecca in holy matrimony."
"What?!" Bec voiced her shock.
The King's smile widened even more, if that was possible. "After the papal dispensation has been approved considering your affinity as her Uncle. I do not expect a lengthy wait. May your wife bare you many sons, Doctor."
"Thank you, your highness," responded the Gallifreyan.
"Doctor, did you ask the king if you could marry me?" She swallowed but recognised only by scarce discernment that the Doctor had altered the language of which she spoke so it wasn't recognisable to the King or Reinette. It had a musical structure of which sounded familiar to her. "Did you happen to forget that I am already married? I am not marrying you!" She was angry. Bec didn't even want to include that if the Doctor was right regarding their relationship, it would be a horrific form of incest. No. She thought. I can't do this.
The Doctor could feel Bec's shock coming through the bond. He could feel the anger she'd been about to unleash over Cathryn being expected to serve as one of the king's mistresses. And he could sense the dread building in her gut. A tidal wave of emotions was about to break on him.
The Doctor gave his granddaughter a grin, and spoke in an alien language that sounded like poetry as it dripped off his tongue. "If you've ever trusted me in anything ever, trust me in this, Rebecca. Smile and accept the offer, or hold your tongue." He paused. "Please," he added.
It was the "please" that caught her attention. And it was the "please" that kept Bec silent. There's no way I would EVER marry the Doctor, she thought to herself. Not even if he was the last man on Earth. Bec stopped the thought short, realizing as far as the Doctor was concerned, he believed she and Cathryn were the only two women on Earth. Well, maybe not just Earth.
Did he really want to marry her? What about Rose? Did she really mean so little to him? She was only human. And she was more than two centuries away. The Time Lord could easily outlive four or five wives before meeting back up with Rose. She'd never even have to know. Bec swallowed. Was the Doctor going to marry her?
"I've spoken with my treasury. Her dowry will be taken care of," the King interrupted Bec's thoughts.
The two dimensional travellers shared a look. They needed to get out of here. They needed to get away before they both experienced what it truly meant to be women in the 18th century. And they needed to do it as fast as possible.
"What are we going to do?" asked Bec after the King left.
"We're going to get married," answered the Time Lord.
A look of horror crossed Bec's face. She started to shake her head.
"At least then you won't be forced to be someone's mistress," added the Doctor. He spoke in the alien language again so Reinette wouldn't understand. It only sounded like love song to humans who didn't have an alien translation moving through their minds. The Doctor knew Reinette was an extremely intelligent woman. And given the right instruction he had no doubt she would understand things from his point of view. But he wasn't naïve enough to expect her to discount her culture and upbringing just because he and his grandchildren said so. So, the Doctor hid his private conversation from her.
"I promise I'll protect you, Rebecca," he added in French.
"And what about Cathryn?" she asked, still unsure of the Doctor's true intentions.
"The King will provide for her," answered Reinette. "He is most generous."
The Doctor only nodded. He had to think of something. He had to get his family out of there. He glanced at Cathryn, taking in the terror showing on her face. It was nothing next to the turmoil coming through the bond. And what were these attacks Cathryn spoke of? But before he could ask her, he knew he had to do make a plan. But for the life of him he was having difficulty figuring out what course to take. As long as they were stuck in this century, they were subject to the king. And as much as he wanted to fight against it, he knew there were far worse fates than that of being the King's mistress.
Was this how regular people lived? Was this the slow path he'd often been jealous of? It was worse than he'd ever imagined, far worse than beans on toast. The empty part of his mind ached for his time ship. He ached for his TARDIS.
"Reinette," started Cathryn in desperation, "Whatever happened to that lovely fireplace you had in your bedroom in your childhood home?" She couldn't let this happen. Not again. It was degrading and… a lump formed in her throat. She would indeed risk running away rather than being used like a piece of property by a man who simply felt entitled to her by divine right.
"Is it still there?" added Bec.
The Doctor instantly perked up. Was it possible? Could one of the time windows have survived? No. He let his enthusiasm die. He knew every time window would have been destroyed. His granddaughters were grasping at straws.
"Oh." Reinette was surprised. "I had it moved," she explained.
"Moved?" The Doctor's face lit up.
"Why yes." She looked back and forth between the Doctor and his family, curious as to why they seemed so interested. "It's in my private quarters in my boudoir in the west wing."
"Did you show it to the Doctor already?" Cathryn cringed when she realized she may have let slip she knew Reinette's future actions.
"That would be inappropriate," answered the courtesan. "No man may enter a woman's boudoir," she explained. "Not even the King has entered mine."
Understanding flashed through both Bec and Cathryn. If what had happened on the show had happened in real life, Reinette had been propositioning the Doctor. Perhaps it was because the girls had been sick. Or maybe it was because Reinette hadn't been able to sneak the Time Lord away when all the servants were busy with the aftermath of the attack. Whatever the reason, Reinette hadn't shown the Doctor her very private boudoir. She hadn't shown him the fireplace. Which meant they still might be able to get back home. Home? Well... Back to the TARDIS, and then on to Pete's world.
The Doctor jumped to his feet. He felt his granddaughter's relief. He felt their excitement. And he was proud of them for exploring their idea, for not giving up.
"C'mon," he said excitedly. "We've got to go before Rose activates emergency program one."
Cathryn was instantly to her feet.
"I don't understand," stated the courtesan as she allowed the Doctor to help her stand up. "Where are we going?"
"To your boudoir," answered the Doctor.
"I think not!" Reinette looked affronted. She glanced around at the nearby servants, well aware they had heard the Doctor's statement.
"Reinette," started the Doctor. "That fireplace, the one in your boudoir, wasn't connected to the system when we came through the portal. There's a chance, a very small chance, that it's undamaged. We could use it to get home."
"Home?" Reinette instantly looked crushed just like she had when the Doctor left her on the show. "But you have so much here," she objected. "You have lands and title. You're engaged to be married. One of your family is to be one of the King's mistresses. You can't leave." She shook her head in disbelief. The King would not be pleased.
"It's... It's just for a visit, Reinette," the Doctor lied. He couldn't risk being denied access to that fireplace. Or worse, he couldn't risk the King having it destroyed.
"Just a visit?" she questioned.
"We left Rose and Mickey there alone," Cathryn spoke up. "We need to make sure they're alright," she told a half truth.
"There are monsters far worse that clockwork droids out there," added Bec for good measure.
Reinette hesitated. No one could tell if it was because she was afraid for Rose and Mickey, or because she didn't want them to leave.
"Come with us," added the Time Lord. "You can pick any star in the heavens, and I'll take you there."
Reinette looked up with sudden hope.
"Come with me," the Doctor repeated his offer.
Reinette nodded. She smiled. She was going to see the stars.
"You there," she pointed to the nearest servant. "Run to the west wing. See that my boudoir and all adjoining rooms are opened as though they are being repaired. Have my guard stationed there and inform the King." If the whole castle was going to know about her letting the Doctor into her private rooms, she was going to do it right. She couldn't risk losing her standing. "Run!" she ordered.
The Doctor smiled. He loved that word.
Cathryn and Bec shared a look. They knew Reinette wasn't supposed to travel with the Doctor. They knew if she came, they'd be changing his time line. It was one more thing to worry about. It was one more reason why they needed to get to Pete's world. They had to get away from the Time Lord before their interference destroyed him, thereby destroying this universe and every universe along with it.
In the interim, a carriage was being readied as their form of transportation. Evening was starting to fall.
Putting a hand just beneath her rib cage, Cathryn glanced at Bec before looking at the Doctor. "My dress…." She started. "I think my laces are too tight. I would feel better if they were loosened before we go."
"Did you want some help?" The Doctor took a step towards her and Cathryn just shook her head.
"It will be a couple minutes. Bec can do it. We'll meet you at the carriage," she told him and he gave a simple nod. Through the bond, he knew they wanted to return just as badly as he did so in this case, he allowed them to tend to this minor problem on their own, suspecting that they just needed a moment to express their relief together as they were unable to with their French audience. Besides, he for one could certainly be grateful that a corset was never considered a necessary item for men to wear in history. He could plainly see the struggle his own granddaughters were having to endure with that particular archaic fashion accessory. He turned back to Reinette for the journey that lay ahead relishing the fleeting hope of seeing his beloved TARDIS again. And Rose. He thought. Rose would still be there waiting for him and that anticipation filled both his hearts with the joy he momentarily thought he had lost.
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The two girls found cover behind several groves of bushes and trees as they started to speak in frantic tones.
"Pray to God this works." Cathryn was shivering as she looked at Bec. "I won't be sold off like that. To be used like a whore. I don't care what they call it here."
"It will work." Bec tried to insert confidence in her tone. "It has to." She paused. "What about Reinette? The Doctor asked her to come. It's not like the show. He'll probably take us all through the fireplace all at once. Reinette too."
Cathryn grimaced. It was one of the horrid choices she didn't want to have to contemplate or make but she couldn't risk Reinette. Even if it was for one trip, what if she didn't survive Pete's World and the Cybermen threat? What would happen to history, then? She did care for the courtesan having watched her grow from the age of seven. But she knew Bec had felt this affinity even more closely considering the other girl's maternal nature.
"She's our friend," Cathryn said bleakly. "And I know we love her as one. But because we do, we have to leave her behind. We can't let her suffer at the hands of the Cybermen. Even if she survives that, what then? The Beast?" Cathryn licked her lips. "She thinks the Doctor is an angel. A good man. She has her faith. Sometimes, if we love someone, we have to hurt them to save them." Tears came from her eyes. She wished she could bring Reinette along. It seemed she was able understand them. She had helped to mediate things between themselves and the Doctor to whom she shared a connection. But that wasn't how the timeline worked according to the show. Too much damage seemed to have already been done. "Do you agree? What do you think?"
Bec knew that Cathryn was right, but tried to find ways to solve the dilemma, to picture what might happen the same way she'd visualise possibilities when writing. She'd always found it sad that Reinette hadn't been able to go with the Doctor. Obviously, to keep continuity with the show, she would have to stay behind, but what if she did come?
The devastation of the Cybermen would be traumatic for her. Once more, people would be chopped up and used as parts before her, and just after she had escaped the same fate herself. She wouldn't agree with the Doctor, as he focused on the bigger picture, stopping the Cybermen altogether, rather than saving those walking willingly to their deaths. Of course, the Doctor would care about those dying, but he would callously dismiss them from the greater goal.
She might give him the benefit of the doubt and stay a little longer, having her faith in him restored somewhat when he saves everyone from the Wire, but the next episode... How would Reinette cope given her faith and lack of exposure to ideas about aliens and alternatives in religion and beliefs if she faced the Beast in The Satan Pit. The Beast had been able to speak of the darkest secret or pain for each person in that episode. The Beast would break her. She could just imaging the poor woman breaking down at the monsters words and then being zapped to death by one of those communication balls the Ood used.
No, the risk was too great, not only to history whom Reinette was to play an important part in, but for her own sake. She needed to be protected from the horrors of the universe, just as she'd been protected from the clockwork droids.
"No, she can't come," Bec agreed softly. Maybe it was just her imagination running away with her, but the risk was too great. If the Doctor's life wasn't so dangerous..? But it was, and they couldn't risk Reinette for the selfish pleasure of her company. "Even if she survived, it would break her. She'll be safer, happier, here."
Cathryn nodded. Enough time had passed for their excuse of the necessary adjustments to their corset to be considered remedied. "Then, it's settled," she told her. "We can't tell the Doctor." Her eyes flickered to the couple in the distance smiling and visiting together in the near distance, feeling the guilt already upon her. The actions they were forced to take.
"No." Bec briefly rubbed her arms to keep away the sudden chill in the air. "He wouldn't listen. Would probably bring her along regardless." She was looking at Reinette, burdened already by the sorrow of a departure that had to be made on terms the courtesan hardly deserved. "There must be some way to tell her…to explain." She felt herself choking as her chest constricted in despair as to the grave betrayal they were about to commit.
The brunette raised her eyebrows as an idea suddenly took form inside her mind. "Inside the house." She said. "We need a pen and paper." Cathryn glanced at Bec. "It's better than nothing but we need to be quick."
The girls dashed inside, managed to obtain parchment, quills and ink. Struggling with this archaic tool, the writing began. A tedious venture but still a hurried one.
Dear Reinette,
Upon reading this, you realise what we've done and consider it likely a betrayal. For this we are terribly sorry. We both love you and if wished with all our hearts if was safe for you to come. But it is our promise to you by everything we hold sacred and our oath to God, your life would be in terrible danger. While in France, you will have several more years to live. Important more years making pivotal decisions, having influence and experiencing the love of your King and family. Spend those years wisely. The Doctor won't return before you have passed from this world.
Believe us when we say there are far more terrible things than clockwork droids. Things that are worse than that of death. Your death would have been sooner had you come. As for us, we are destined to fall through a crack in time and we won't be returning.
We are so sorry. Someday we hope that you'll believe that we loved you so much that we didn't want you to get caught up in the hell and terror the Doctor calls 'fun'. We wish you all of God's blessings and will pray for you often.
It is never the end. One day, we'll all see each other soon. Perhaps then, you'll forgive us and we'll embrace one another as friends once more.
With all our love and affection,
Cathryn and Rebecca
Both girls were silent in appraising what they had written as they folded the letter and placed it in an envelope. It was time for them to go.
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It was the last moment. The Doctor had evaluated the mechanism of the fireplace seeming excited that it was still functioning. He beamed, looking at the three girls. "Ready to come see the stars?" he asked Reinette invitingly. The clear expression of hope on her face was answer enough.
But Cathryn and Bec glanced at each other. They used a carriage since the grounds were already dark to head back to Versaille. The Doctor was actively engaged in a discussion with Reinette about what planet he would take her to first conveying the facts about one world that had a whole library of books from every subject they could imagine. Bec gave a shudder, thinking of the Vashta Nerada that inhabited the Library. He then spoke of another planet, where in his mind, had the best ice cream in all the universe.
Even in the jolting carriage, Bec managed hide the letter that would convey the explanation in case such a venture worked. They had to be prepared and considering their conversation, the decision had already been made. The envelope secreted, ready for the proper time for its sudden delivery.
"Ah ha!" he exclaimed. "Here it is! Everyone grab on." Bec and Cathryn took his hands and Reinette started to take theirs.
It was then they nodded to themselves. Bec dropped the letter on the floor, and both girls gently pushed the courtesan back into her boudoir just before the fireplace turned back to the direction of the space ship.
"I'm sorry." Cathryn had tears in her eyes. "Forgive us but…we can't….we just can't…I'm….." She stumbled over words, but steeled herself, not meeting Reinette's eyes who looked at the trio in apparent disbelief. The woman fell back on the floor just as the fireplace was pivoting.
"Cathryn!" the Doctor hissed in her ear. An immediate reproof.
"God forgive us," Bec muttered. "The letter, Reinette. Please just read-"
The fireplace turned swiftly. They were torn away from Reinette, thrust back onto the space ship. Reinette was instantly gone. The decision had been made. They had left her behind to die.
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Authors' note:
Little word of warning, we have basically caught up with where we are writing now. We expect to have next week's chapter ready in time, but thereafter there may be a lag between uploads. We'll do our best to keep up, but please bear with us and be generous.
Thank you to our friends for your help and support: Almadynis Rayne, Fan Fictional Authoress, and to LovelyAmberLight for her contributions to this chapter.
Also keep a look out at emptyvoice's profile this weekend, as she's hoping to upload a Halloween Special.
Until next time! :-)
azaadin & emptyvoices
