Chapter 10
"Come on then, wake up! Ava wake up! You'll never guess where we are!" Rose squeals, ripping off the comforter and sheets. I roll over, groaning.
"I don't care. I just want to sleep!" She grabs my arm, and pulls me into an upright position.
"We're on the Titanic! Wake up and smell the ocean air!" I bury my head into my pillow.
"Just 10 more minutes!" I whine, falling backward onto the bed.
"Fine. Come and find us when you're ready. Remember this is 1912, dress accordingly," she settles, exiting the room. After 10 minutes have passed, I trudge out of bed and get ready for the day. I fix my hair into an exquisite bun, letting two wavy strands of hair hang loose out of the bun. I don a gorgeous soft, gold dress, and a matching gold clutch. I open the door, and I find the TARDIS hidden away in an abandoned 3rd class cabin. I travel through the long, dreary hallways of the third class. They are clean and somewhat nice, but nothing compared to the photos I've seen of the first class deck. A woman with curly, fire red hair comes laughing down the hallway with a little ginger boy, and a little blonde girl. I smile at the children's giggles as she skips down the corridor with one at each side her. Her ice blue eyes lift up from her children a moment, to catch the sight of my presence. Her eyes shift back down to the floor and she slows to a walk.
"Come along children. I'm sorry if we were a bother to you, miss," she states with a thick Irish accent. My face becomes soft with grief as the children become rigid, and walk quickly away from me down the hallway.
"You weren't a bother. I'd actually really enjoy it if you would accompany me in finding my mates. They're probably on one of the upper decks," I suggest with a grin. She smiles back, but shakes her head.
"It wouldn't be proper. Us in our rags and you in your fine evening dress, people would stare."
"Who cares? Let them stare. What does it matter of our clothes?" I disregard.
"Everything. You seem to be a very sweet girl, unlike so many of the others. You seem to be very educated and have a good head on your shoulders, but there is a reason why there are separate decks. You stay on your decks with your fine wine and champagne, while we stay on ours with our less than mediocre beer. It's just how it's meant to be," she answers, turning away.
"Then promise me one thing," I state. She spins around.
"Yes?"
"On April 14 dress you and your children in your best clothes, and look your finest. Get up on the top deck at 1 am, and hide somewhere. You'll know what to do when the time comes. Never let anyone know of what I'm telling you. Can you do that for me…?" I reply.
"Merida."
"Can you do that for me, Merida?" She nods. I continue on my way, sucking in a deep breath. If the Doctor found out what I did I would be dead for sure. I wander up to the top deck where the cold sea air stings my cheeks. I look out into the distance where the sunset meets the water. I give a deep sigh, and lean on the railing. The dark blue waters lap at the side of the ship, rocking it back and forth like a cradle. I close my eyes remembering the times that my mother would take me to the different planets all around the universe. She would always tell me "Grab your coat and sonic screwdriver! We best not keep the stars waiting!"
"Oi, sleeping beauty finally decided to get up," a voice interrupts my thoughts. I jump at his thick British accent, and grab my chest.
"You almost gave both my hearts a heart attack!" I reprimand, hitting his arm.
"Well, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," the Doctor defends, rubbing his shoulder.
"Would you two knock it off? The important thing is we are on the Titanic!" Rose squeals. She hangs on the Doctor's trench coat.
"Why are we here, Doctor? I mean don't get me wrong I think it's fantastic, but just a strange choice for you," I question. I notice that the Doctor avoided tragedies in history as much as possible; especially ones that he cannot mess with.
"I was here before with my former companion Sarah Jane Smith on vacation, and I realized that there was something strange about the tear created by the iceberg. I didn't have enough time to investigate, so we had to depart prematurely," he explains.
"Why?" Rose asks dumbly.
"Well, the ship does sink." She rolls her eyes.
"Okay I get it. Stupid question," she mumbles.
"You know you think you could follow the few rules that I have," the Doctor points out. Rose crosses her arms in annoyance.
"And who is this Sarah Jane Smith girl? Did she use to travel with you?"
"Priorities, Rose. Priorities," he sighs.
"Don't you think it's important that I know if you've travelled with other girls? So who is this Sarah Jane Smith, eh? How old is she? Where is she exactly?" Rose presses.
"Why the hell does it matter?"
"Because-"
"Settle down children," I interject.
"I'm not a child," Rose snaps.
"Neither am I!" The Doctor bellows.
"Both of you could have fooled me. Now everyone just stop bickering and try to act a little civil. We are in public on a 20th century ocean liner. Get it together!" I settle. I stalk away down the deck. I turn around to see the Doctor and Rose standing dumbfounded. "Well come on then! Let's have dinner on the Titanic!" They follow along behind and eventually we make our way to the famous grand staircase. My breath catches at the sight before me. The stairs cascade down the side of the deck, the dark wood so perfect and polished that it shines in the artificial light. I run my fingertips over the exquisite carvings. I take a tentative step forward, feeling as though the staircase will come crashing down at my mere 95 pounds. I hold on to the railing with a stiff grip, and lift my dress up so that I don't trip. I spin around to see the familiar grandfather clock, sitting with a beautiful elegance on the landing of the staircase.
"What do you think?" The Doctor murmurs to me and Rose. Rose nods, not able to speak a word.
"It's fantastic," I manage with a light laugh. "We're on the freaking Titanic!" He chuckles.
"Come on then!" He urges linking both our arms into his. We descend down the staircase and pass by other first class passengers chattering about. We turn into the first class dining room, peering around. I feel out of sorts like I don't deserve such luxuries while other people below us don't receive the same. Tables line the room ranging in size and shape. The beautifully crafted tables are covered with delicate white tablecloths, and they are adorned with the ship's best china. The walls are made of the same dark wood, and from the ceiling suspends a breathtaking, diamond chandelier. We are led by a steward to a small table at the center of the room set for three. The Doctor pulls back two chairs from the edge of the table. Rose and I gladly sit while the Doctor takes his own place across the table.
"Apparently chivalry is not dead," Rose giggles. The Doctor gives a look of distaste.
"Give it a few years, and soon half the men of the earth will become regular jerks. Unlike most humans, Time Lords were always taught manners from the time they were old enough to talk. I pride myself in holding the moral high ground when all else fails."
"Fat lot of good that did you. This is what you said and I quote, "What idiots would not put enough lifeboats on a ship where the craftsmanship is mediocre at best? I have seen single-celled organisms that have better skill than this! Well, they were mutated, but that's beside the point!" Not only did you speak rather loudly, but Thomas Andrews, the head builder of the ship, was standing a few feet away," I point out in an incredulous tone.
"Was I really being rude?" The Doctor asks. His eyes show him reminiscing back to that moment, trying to remember if he had forgotten his manners.
"Yeah, you were. Didn't you notice my elbow jabs?" I recall.
"Huh, I just thought you had an awful twitch or something." A waiter strides up to our table.
"Hello. May I get you all something to drink this evening?" The Doctor taps his fingers against the table, eyeing the menu. He hands it to the waiter.
"Give me the best wine you got," he announces.
"I'll just have a glass of water," Rose states.
"Same as him," I reply. The Doctor gives me a disapproving look.
"She'll have water," he answers flatly. The waiter hurries away with our order.
"What the hell was that for?" I pout.
"If Rose is too young for alcohol than so are you," the Doctor explains. I cross my arms.
"But I'm not human," I whisper.
"But you sure can get drunk like one."
"I'm not going to get tipsy off of one glass of wine. Besides Time Lords can handle more alcohol in their bodies than humans," I insist.
"Yeah fully aged Time Lords can, but you're still a child."
"Can't I just have one sip? Just to try it. New taste buds!" I reason.
"Fine. One taste and that's it," the Doctor gives in. A heavy silence falls over the table even though the room roars with laughter, talking, and beautiful music.
"So what day is it?" Rose questions, breaking the tension.
"April 13," I respond.
"Only one day. One day. It seems unreal," she says to herself.
"We aren't going to stay and watch, right?" I press.
"No, as soon as I figure out what is off about the tear we're leaving," he promises. The waiter returns with a glass of dark, red wine, the tall, impressive bottle, and two wine glasses filled with water and ice. He takes a small sip of the wine, and gives a small, satisfactory nod. My eyes follow the glass, and I reach my hand out to grab it. Before I can reel it in, the Doctor snatches the glass. He eyes me carefully, a stern look on his face.
"One, small sip," he emphasizes.
"I know," I ignore. He lets go of the glass. I bring the glass rim to my lips, and take a small taste of the wine. The bitter taste dances on my tongue, and I fight hard not to gag. Damn regeneration.
"It's…good," I manage to splutter through a dry cough. I offer the glass back to him, and he smirks with triumph. I gulp down my water, trying to wash the awful taste off my tongue. Out of the blue a man with medium brown hair and fair skin comes striding up to us. He wears a tailored, black suit, showing of his slim and somewhat tall figure.
"Good evening, sir and ladies. I just could not sit idly by why such a beauty was sitting just across the room from me. I'm John Thayer, but you may call me Jack. Now beautiful girl, who might you be?" He asks with such ease and charm. My hearts flutter in my chest, and I find my hands shaking and my palms perspiring. I am about to reply, but the Doctor springs up from his chair and interjects.
"Her name is Ava Smith."
"Well it is a pleasure to meet you, Ava. Now would you be so kind as to introduce me to your friends?" Jack questions, looking to Rose and the Doctor.
"That is my best friend, Rose Tyler, and that is-" I start.
"John Smith. I'm her father," the Doctor finishes. I pull at my dress in anger, but succeed in keeping the welcoming smile on my face.
"Ah. It is very nice to meet you, Mr. Smith. What a fine daughter you have here. Not to be rude, but I can't help but noticing that you look rather young to be her father. Not to mention you do not share the same accent. Where are all of you from?" He questions in the most polite way possible.
"Her mother was an American. Well, you know things happen, and we chose to marry very young. I'm originally from England, but Ava here was born in Pennsylvania. Never did take to my accent," the Doctor lies with a smoothness and elegance that proves he has done this before.
"Very well. Mr. Smith if it's alright with you I was wondering if I could steal away Ava for the night? Take her on a walk around the boat deck. You can send whomever you desire to supervise if you wish that we are watched carefully," he purposes. The Doctor opens his mouth to reply, but I stand up and interject my own opinion.
"I'm sure it will be alright, and no surveillance is required. Right, father?" He frowns, irritated by my outburst.
"Yes, Ava. I trust you fully. Now Jack I want you to have her back here by eight o'clock sharp," the Doctor sighs.
"I'll have her back in your care at 7:55. Not a second early, not a second late," Jack assures with an excited grin. He extends his hand to me, and I take it with a giggle. He leads me around the table past the Doctor.
"Thank you," I whisper in the Doctor's ear as I pass by. He simply nods, returning to his chair across from Rose. My breath slows as I look into his ice blue eyes. They dance mischievously making my hearts skip a beat. What wonderful things could be in store for the next two hours?