Chapter 10: Wrong Dates and Decisions
If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday. -Pearl S. Buck
"Where are we?" she asks in wonder, eyes locked on the enormous alien trees towering above them, its leaves glimmering violet, a wonderful contrast against the soft pink sky.
"A little planet called Amaranthine," the Doctor replies, hands shoved deep into his pockets. Rocking back and forth a little on the balls of his feet, he grins widely. "We're about to witness one of the largest revolutions any planets in this solar system will ever experience."
"Wait, Amaranthine… isn't that a flower? And I don't believe you. About the revolution that is. There are little… aliens playing near the water over there." She gestures toward said aliens, who look like five-year-olds… if five-year-olds were slightly aqua in color and had gigantic feathery wings sprouting from their shoulder blades.
He pouts, expressive chocolate brown eyes wide. "Yes, it is a flower. It's a flower that's supposed to live for eternity. And that was rude!"
"Just like you, you mean?" she says before she can help herself.
"I'll have you know that… well…" he trails off, at a loss.
She smirks at him and looks out across the water. "So? Explain it. I can tell you're just dying to." She turns her head back, squinting at him with a large smile that quickly fades when she catches the look on his face.
Chocolate eyes shadowed and unfathomable and so very alien.
"Doctor?"
He blinks, and suddenly, the look is replaced by that manic grin she is starting to get used to.
"Right then, let's go!" he exclaims, grabbing her hand and dragging her along.
xoxoxoxoxox
She gasps for breath, laying on the grating of the Tardis control room, not caring that she's dripping mud and slime everywhere, and smiling evilly inside at the thought that he will have to clean it up by himself.
The Doctor collapses unceremoniously somewhere near the controls. She hears him pant for breath as he oozes into a comfortable position.
"'Everything is going to be okay,'" she mimics, using his I'm-so-brilliant-I-know-everything voice. "'No, they aren't cannibals! Of course they don't want to kill us! We're just innocent bystanders!'"
"Okay, so I maybe fabricated most of that, but still… how was I supposed to know that human is considered a delicacy in these parts?"
"Are you kidding me?" she screeches, jumping up and advancing toward him very slowly.
"Erm… no?"
Before she can even take two steps toward him, he shoots up and dashes down the corridor to the right. "Shower!" he shouts desperately.
"I'm so gonna kill you! Just wait, Doctor!"
Still, she breaks down in laughter, remembering the way the biggest, most muscular female Amaranthinian had eyed the thoroughly uncomfortable Doctor, who had nearly jumped out of his skin and dragged Victoria down with him into the slime infested swamp when the strong aqua female had not-so-gently caressed his backside. She thinks it was worth getting almost eaten.
"You should have been there," she whispers to the Tardis. "We really need to land in more places like that."
She grins and walks out of the control room, purposely dripping slime on the walls while apologizing to the Tardis. Please understand… and don't help him clean up.
All she can hear is a soft lilting laugh filled with understanding and promise.
xoxoxoxoxox
"So, where to today, Mister I'm-All-Knowing?"
"Very funny," the Doctor replies with a slight pout.
"You know, we should head back to Amaranthine. That guard really seemed to fancy you." Victoria grins.
"Please, don't go there," he pleas, closing his eyes with a shudder.
"What? You really didn't find her rippling aqua muscles attractive?"
"Victoria!" he exclaims with a look of utter mortification. "Are you doing this because I got the date wrong?"
"Well, not only did we not see a revolution, I did almost become the queen's main course. And you dragged me into a swamp of snot-and-vomit-colored slime!"
"Thanks, could've done without the vivid imagery," he replies dryly. "Besides, I was the one who had to clean it up! Without help!" He glances at her pointedly.
"You deserved it! Acting like you knew everything when you clearly didn't!"
She smiles at him though, attempting to make up for her stinging remark.
"Oi! That was a simple mistake! One which I've already apologize for!"
Victoria laughs, clutching her middle.
"What?"
"Oh, I wasn't really that mad at you. It was sad enough, seeing your horrified, deer-in-the-headlights expression when she felt you up!" she giggles. "Besides, I did feel bad for making you clean up the whole mess by yourself, especially since I purposely smeared some on the walls."
"Aha! I knew it! You did do it on purpose!"
"Yes, which is why I got up extra early this morning to make you banana pudding."
"I knew you did it on—you made what?" he asks, eyes wide and filled with awe. "Banana?"
"Yes." She holds out a small bowl with a spoon. "There's more in the fridge."
He grins at her manically and accepts the peace offering. "Thanks."
She smiles back a little, but mostly, she remembers her dreams of 1940s London, and the Blitz, of the Doctor's smiling face as he prattled on about bananas, where Rose met a man named Jack and danced to Glenn Miller with her Doctor.
Asthis Doctor happily devours his pudding, Victoria looks over at the consoles, her heart beating faster. I think… that I'm ready. I want to know. Tell me more about Rose.
The singing inside her mind grows a little louder, and she thinks she feels a small mental hug from the Tardis.