[A/N: I am so glad people are actually reading this. I honestly didn't expect much interest in it. Its so fun watching the hits go up. Still though, some more reviews would be nice.]
Madge Arwell entered the attic, to see a familiar blue box waiting there. She was not surprised at all, when its door creaked open, spilling out warm light and The Caretaker emerged from it. He however was a bit,
"Ah", he said, spotting Madge.
"Of course, It's you, isn't it?" Madge realised excitedly, pointing at the man. "My spaceman angel, with his head on backwards."
The Doctor spread his arms and twirled to show off and asked, "How do I look, the right way round?"
"Funnier", She replied, bluntly.
"Okay", accepted The Doctor, his face sinking somewhat.
"So, you came back", Madge pointed out.
"Well, you were there for me when I'd had a bad day. Always like to return a favour. It got a bit cliché in the middle there, but it sort of worked out in the end." He then swung his tweed jacket back and placed his hands on his hips. The two people smiled at each other. "Story of my life", The Doctor finished.
"Thank you" Madge acknowledged, showing her gratitude by putting both arms around her spaceman angel with his head on backwards and tugging him into a warm, motherly hug.
"Aw, you did it all yourself, Madge Arwell", The Doctor assured, but then added, "Thanks for thanking me."
"Now the last time I saw you, I went back the next day, but the police box had gone", Madge told The Doctor.
"Yeah!" exclaimed The Doctor, looking like a kid who had eaten too much sugar on Christmas morning. "You wanna see how it's done?" He was charging back to the TARDIS, when Madge called out to him,
"No!" At this, the Doctor stopped and turned back around. "I want you to stay for Christmas, please"
The Doctor had seen this invitation coming. Every Christmas he received it and it only got increasingly difficult to turn down. "Ah, well, you see. Things to do, people to see", he explained, pointing a thumb back at his ship, which he was now all the more eager to hop in and make a quick getaway in. What was it about these social situations that got him so uptight and fidgety?
"Ah, of course, yes, family of your own", Madge realised, nodding.
"Well," began The Doctor. This was getting ridiculous. Was it really so important that he have company today? He never really thought so. But then why was it that he felt so sad? "No actually", he admitted somewhat solemnly, yet putting on his best brave face and straightening his posture. He felt ashamed and tried his best to hide it. What was it about this woman that brought so many odd feelings out in him?
"Oh, yes. Yes, you said, 'No family', but there must be people who love you - friends?" Madge asked.
"No, well, yes, but, it's a long story, but they all think I'm dead." The Doctor was smiling, pretending that this fact was okay, yet he swallowed as a lump formed in his throat. He really wanted to go now. "Never mind.. anyway, watch my box do its thing. It's really cool! You'll love it." He was awkwardly trying to show her with his hands just how cool it could be, as he began his way back to the TARDIS.
"No", protested Madge, holding out an arm. "No one should be alone on Christmas."
"I'm fine", assured The Doctor. "I don't mind. I really very good at-"
"I'm not talking about you", Madge pointed out. "I'm talking about your friends. You can't let them think that you're dead", then added "Not at Christmas." The Doctor was scratching his head, unsure what to say to this woman, but settled for,
"It's complicated, very complicated-"
Madge Arwell was firm and assertive, "You must go and tell them, at once. Off you go", she informed him, ushering him away with a brush of her hand.
Biting his lip and sulking like a boy being told off by his mother, The Doctor replied with crossed arms and rolling his eyes, 'Yes, ma'am. I'll think about it."
The two of them exchanged affectionate smiles and The Doctor leaned in kissing the kind woman on the cheek. She even closed her eyes from the warm happiness that flooded her as he did so.
"Now, eyes on the box", instructed The Doctor, after stepping back.
"Oh caretaker", called Madge, once The Doctor had his hand on the TARDIS door handle. "What if I require you again?" she wondered.
"Make a wish!" were his last words to her, before he disappeared into the box, which also shortly disappeared, back to the time vortex.