The TARDIS materialized in the middle of Anne's lab, in exactly the spot where it had been before. Of the three TARDIS crew, it was the resident Time Lord who was of course the first out. Robin quickly scanned around the room, checking for signs of danger. Over his shoulder he wore what appeared like an English sword. It had a golden hilt and leather binding across the grip.
Marceline and Anne soon joined him in the lab.
"We've arrived?" Marceline noted. "Thanks for telling me….. Hey since when do you have a sword?" She said annoyed by the lack of warning.
"Shh' Family heirloom, and never mind that, more importantly do you hear anything?" Robin questioned.
"No nothing, so can we continue, why do you have…." Marceline began.
"Not even with your vamped up hearing?" Robin asked and Marceline just shook her head. "That's odd, because I sense something terrible." Robin explained.
"That's very worrying. The palace would usually be buzzing with people this time of day." Anne realized, "It should be much noisier than this, even here from my lab you can hear people walking by. It's actually quite frustrating sometimes."
"Quite, so where is all the noise, what's going on out there?" Robin asked meandering around.
"Here I can get security footage from my computer." Anne motioned, toggling the keys on the device. Marceline stood beside Anne, watching closely. Anne gasped covering her mouth "NO! No one, not a single person anywhere! We're too late. Oh no, no no no, how could I have failed? And Bonnibel? Where is she?" Anne cried in great worry, "Where's Bonnibel?"
Marceline gave Anne a supportive side hug and proceeded to say "She will be okay, the girl is clever, she can take care of herself." It was then the two heard a "Clunk" from the door. Its closing mechanism started up and a heavy mechanical rattling sound reverberated as the door began to shut. Robin stood on the other side of the doorway standing tall. This being the most technological room in the entire palace, it had a high security blast door with a magnetic lock. A quick buzz of the sonic easily overrode the normal command codes, sealing the rooms occupants safely locked within.
"You're wrong" was all that Robin said.
"WHAT? Robin just come back inside..." Anne said in horror of his actions, "... I have to find Bonnibel please! Don't do this!" Anne pleaded desperately, trying to talk him back.
"Not a step nearer!" Robin ordered, but Anne held her ground adamantly. "Anne, listen" The young man said calmly, trying to ease the emotion in the room. "It's not your fault. It is mine." Robin said with sorrowful eyes. "It's mine. Now I'm going to go out there and find your sister. Whatever it takes Anne, I will fix this." The two locked eyes for a long moment, their expressions said more than words could ever hope to explain. "I won't risk you, either of you. So just stay here, I'll scout things out and find Bonnibel. If there is any danger just hide in the TARDIS." He finished, turning and just walking away without a second glance. Still shocked by his words, Anne was taken aback but quickly tried to make a run after the already closing door, it was still slightly ajar and she might have fit through.
'CLUNK' the heavy door sealed before Anne could get near enough. "Robin NO! It's far too dangerous, we must come too, ROBIN COME BACK!" Anne screamed frantically, banging on the door.
"Anne be quiet and stand back!" Marceline then took to the door with her axe, though unfortunately to no effect.
"Marceline, the door is Neurillium alloy. There is nothing we can do." Anne said slumped against the wall.
"Well if that is so, how exactly is it your little sister Bonnibel keeps breaking in?" Marceline asked.
"Isn't that something I'd like to know?" Anne said shaking her head. "Please be okay, please be okay, please be okay." Anne whispered to herself.
Meanwhile, Robin wandered the Palaces many halls, both his Sonic Screwdriver and sword at the ready. The halls were dark and misty, a dank odour hung in the air. It was unusually gloomy for this time of evening. The sun which should have now been clearly visible could hardly be seen through the storm clouds that matted the sky. Even worse was a growing pain in his chest. Scanning the vicinity for life, Robin picked up a faint glimmer of something in the distance, a good few rooms away. He was in residential chambers, passing through room after room after room. Each time he would kick a door in to reveal nothing but an inner reminder of his withering nerves. It had been at least an hour now, "What must Anne be going through? How could I have done this?" He spoke to himself rhetorically, his voice sparked a short whimper from someone or something, somewhere close by. Robin felt to be fighting an inner turmoil with his body. His hearts felt to be burning, growing ever worse every moment. How many more doors would he have to kick down to only further fray his nerve, each act splitting himself further from his sanity, every step a step further from his unwinding composure. He breathed deeply, he had hope and confidence in his ability. Though this wasn't exactly something they taught him in the academy.
All he could be sure of was that something was definitely ahead. But was it Bonnibel, the person he was searching for, or something else? His undoing maybe? He gathered all his wits about him, scanning the area ahead he could pick up a small "Blip" in the room ahead. His screwdriver was behaving oddly however, unwilling to divulge any more of just what might be ahead. Robin composed himself and raised his sword in preparation to kick in the door. The hall was so dark, just as every room but particularly now the little sunlight was rapidly retreating which did little to calm the nerves. Still he had to do this, he had to find her. With one last deep breath he counted down in his head, "three, two, one…"
"Ahhhhh" screamed a man who immediately charged forward to meet his sword with Robin's own. The two launched a volley of attacks at each other, often swinging and missing in the darkness. The next thing Robin heard was a loud 'Crack' and then the world fell silent.
"Robin, Robin" A familiar voice promptly shook Robin back into consciousness. "Wake up."
"Ahw" Robin winced as he woke. A strong shooting pain ripped through his chest. Robin quickly sat up gasping for breath. "Bonnibel" he said amazed. The small girl hugged him tightly. She looked startled and very afraid. "Bonnibel! Are you okay? What's going on?" Robin questioned taking in his surroundings.
"I am fine." She assured him. "But are you?" She asked concerned.
It was another voice that answered next however "Our defences were overrun eight hours ago, it was a complete surprise. Oh and the name's Ben by the way." Said the man with an outstretched hand.
"Robin." The Time Lord replied and shook Ben's hand.
"When we realized what had happened it was all too late, by that point most of the kingdoms people had fled or had been rounded up and put in the dungeons. It was complete hysteria, people were turning against each other, they hardly seemed themselves. And others ran in all directions. By the time I found Bonnibel it was far too risky to try an escape so we bunkered down here. So that's us, here we are. Now what about you, do you know where Anne is?"
Robin took this news badly, knowing it likely the Lich had used some kind of mind control to undermine the palace defences. He heaved the worrying thought aside and replied anyway. "Yes, she's safe. Anne's safely in her Lab with Marceline." Robin told them to which they sighed in relief.
"Well that is the best news I've heard in a while. Guess we should meet them there shall we?" Ben suggested forming up a plan.
"Yep rendezvous at the lab, that's the plan." Robin explained pulling himself to his feet "What hit me?" Robin now asked curiously.
"That" Ben pointed to a broken object on the floor.
Robin looked more closely, recognizing it instantly "A hairdryer? You hit me with a hairdryer? I was taken out by a hairdryer?" He said shaking his head in dismay.
"You'll get over it" Ben laughed patting Robin over the shoulder "Oh and correction, 'She' took you out with a hairdryer" Ben corrected.
Robin didn't have the words to begin to describe it, he simply couldn't believe it.
"I'm sorry." Bonnibel apologized tugging his jacket.
"Oh it's alright, I hate to think what you must have been going through by yourselves. But a hairdryer? Really?" Robin began once more "Oh of course though, a hairdryer! That would explain EVERYTHING!" Robin burst out.
"Ha what?" Ben said abruptly.
"Oh well, little embarrassing, well… Hairdryers have a nasty effect on sonic screwdrivers somehow. Don't ask me to explain, I couldn't begin too. If I could we wouldn't be standing hear having this conversation. Basically they just make it go haywire." Ben just stared on with amazement.
"Well okay then, perhaps we should get going." Ben motioned to the exit. They gathered their things and departed the room swiftly. As the two carefully escorted Bonnibel to safety, Robin couldn't help but admire the resilience Ben displayed. He was something of a storybook knight, loyal and committed with brown curls and an athletic figure. "Awfully shiny sword you've got there. Sure you know how to use it?" Ben chuckled. The sword wasn't that shiny, but it didn't have a scratch on it either, which prompted Ben's question.
"Sure I know how to use it" Robin whispered glancing back. "I thought I proved that much earlier?" He teased. Ben took a moment, now remembering how Robin had seemed to have, at least briefly, matched his ability.
"That was in the dark, most of our blows completely missed." Ben defended.
"Well let's just hope all our actual enemies swing and miss too" Robin laughed. "Come to think of it though, I haven't used this thing since I made acquaintance with The Valeyard on Kelvin Prime." Robin drifted on the thought a moment. "Mm charming fellow." Robin finished, sarcastically of course.
Ben mostly brushed off the entire mention. "Well perhaps you'll have to come along to our morning training someday, you know, after we've sorted out our Lich infestation."
"Emphasis on the 'after' part okay" Robin laughed, Ben too a little. They approached Anne's lab. Quietly tip-toed down the stairs to the door and Robin checked the coast was clear before they continued. With a brief buzz of the Sonic the three hopped inside locking the door behind. Anne and Marceline were hunched around the computer when they came in. They were both relieved to see the three safe and well.
Anne ran over and picked up Bonnibel, holding her in a long hug. She next looked to Ben, hugging him also, exchanging a few words. Robin meanwhile stood to the back of the group, at least until Anne's attention came to him. "Thank you." Anne said simply, then turned her back and returned to the computer screen. There was certainly some bitterness between them. Anne and Marceline stood by the computer. "From what I have discovered, all evidence points towards a presence of some sort in the throne room." Anne explained.
"How so?" Ben questioned.
"Well surprising enough I can still source readings from everywhere, everything is online and working except in the throne room. In fact there are massive power drains from that room too, something is happening." Anne concluded.
Robin had his bit to say of course "The radiogenic device, it runs off a small fusion drive. If he has found it he would first need some electrical power to reboot its systems after all these years."
Marceline nodded, she had been quiet till now. "Well that's it then. We have no time to waste." she said in agreement. She picked up her axe eager to see action. "Come on hero" She teased punching Bens arm.
"I'll just need a moment." Anne perked up. She took Bonnibel by her hand and led her into the TARDIS and Robin followed in. "Now Bonnibel" Anne spoke teary eyed. Bonnibel however was too distracted by her new surrounding to really listen. "Bonnibel!" Anne huffed grabbing the girl's attention. Anne knelt down to Bonnibel's level to meet her gaze eye to eye. "My sister, my dear sister. You must stay here and wait for us. DO NOT go outside for any reason. You are safe here, nothing can harm you if you just stay here. I will come back, I promise you, I'm coming back." Anne held back tears not wanting to worry the young girl. "Now past those doors down the corridor, third door to your left is a library, and I know how you like libraries so go along and enjoy yourself. Go on, now. We will be back soon." Bonnibel reluctantly complied leaving the room. Robin meanwhile had been fiddling around on the console, leaving Anne and Robin the sole occupants of the room. A tension instantly filled the air. "Is this what you do, play the hero, go around charming Princesses?" Anne angrily spoke up.
"No, no never." Robin said startled by the accusation. "I would never do that. I just couldn't risk you."
"Why, am I not capable enough or…"
"NO" Robin jumped to answer her, wanting to make his point crystal clear. "Your more than capable, I'd trust you with my life. I just can't risk putting you at harm."
"Is there nothing more you want to say?" Anne asked, expecting something more of an explanation.
"No." Robin concluded returning to configuring the console. "I'm just engaging the parental control features. We can't have Bonnibel messing around with anything here." Robin explained. Anne mostly ignored Robin's attempt to change subject.
"I see. Robin, when you left us locked in the lab before, I went looking for anything that might help me break the door down and come after you, I was so worried. Well anyway I quickly had to give up, the TARDIS is just too big and I began to get lost." Anne spoke. Anne was treading carefully, her gut instinct telling her there was something else, something Robin wasn't saying. Robin was dead silent still at the console, avoiding eye contact completely. "And well I found this, you have loads of them." Anne put down two separate photographs, one of a pretty brunette haired girl, the other of an equally beautiful but slightly older looking blond haired woman, both photographs were in exquisite picture frames and clearly well looked after. Anne's reasoning told her they were important in some way to Robin. Robin didn't even look to them, he knew what they were. He continued his work paying no attention. Anne stood beside, awaiting a response, he didn't look back at her however. His eyes had a teary glisten to them and his face was growing an increasing red, his hands trembled almost unnoticeably. "Robin, who are they?" He just continued, his eyes looked lost and distant. After a long while, Anne walked away towards the door. Something seemed to click in Robin, he couldn't let Anne go, not without an explanation.
"Wait" Robin called "Wait."
"Yes" Anne said a little surprised. "What is it Robin?"
Robin held the photo of the brunette girl in his hand, running a finger across the photo. "This is Astral, 105 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours 43 minutes and 12 seconds ago she was the love of my life. She died Anne, she gave her life for me. She was the last person I ever let get close to me." Robin next picked up the photo of the blond haired woman "Romana" he said with a strained smile. "My mother."
"Robin you don't have to say…" Anne decided seeing the subject clearly caused him so much distress, but Robin was going through with his explanation.
"She hid me at birth for my own protection. Then when I was just ninety years of age, on the day I finally met her, within 30 minutes of laying eyes on her she gave her life to save my own. I would do anything to trade place with either one of them."
"I'm so sorry, I never knew. I really am so sorry…" Anne said but stoped for Robin to continue. Robin took off the ring from his neck, it instantly caught her gaze with its iridescent red glow.
"This once belonged to Astral, I gave it to her. It's a Venusian love diamond, or so it's called, they're incredibly rare. It glows when the wearer feels true love for someone, it's rather complicated but it's to do with brainwaves and adrenal fluxes. And right now..." Robin moved within a footstep of Anne, placing his hand on her cheek "for the first time in over one century it's glowing. And it's glowing because of you, because of how I feel for you."
(Anne's POV:)
"I… I don't know what to say. Are you saying you love me?" Was all I could struggle to say, this all made so much sense, why had I not thought of it till now? My heart was beating a thousand miles an hour, my body trembled at the slightest thought of what he might say next. My hands were becoming wet with sweat as I gripped onto his free hand, the ring and its chain entangled through both our fingers. I could smell the sweet scent of his perspiration, he was so deeply nervous at the mere mention that he could feel this way, and here he was professing his feelings in this most intimate way.
"This is me saying I love you" He affirmed. I couldn't believe this was happening. In my entire life no one had ever said they loved me. "I love you and I can't lose you. Not like everyone else. Anne, I can't lose anyone else, especially not you. I couldn't bear having you on my conscience too" He begged, completely broken he drowned his head on my shoulder and I held him closely. What had the universe done to this man?
"I, I…" I stammered out, I struggled with the words coming out of my mouth "I love you too" I managed. He completely broke with those three incredible words, he collapsed completely. First slumping against the console and then onto the floor, my heart was beating so rapidly that I couldn't stand anymore either. I just sat beside him a moment when then I cupped both his cheeks and starred deep into his eyes. "You're not going to lose me Robin, I am here to stay. I promise." I said and I kissed him, like the world would not last a second more I just kissed him. We spent the next moments entrenched in each other's arms, I couldn't let him go. I pitied how this man, this great incredible man who had never shown me anything but kindness could have been reduced to so much sorrow, to fear falling in love for fear of losing it, as he had. Everything added up now. How could anyone deserve to lose so much? "Do you have other relatives?" I had to ask, though I instantly regretted the question from a glance of the sorrow which filled his eyes.
"They're all dead, everyone died, wiped out in the Last Great Time War, my entire planet, my people. That's why my mother sent me away, she knew what was coming. But now, every Parallel I cross the result is the same, gone, nothing, my people are all but extinct, Anne. I'm the last Time Lord." Robin finished, I clutched his drooping body in my arms. My heart could only fill with utter hate for the people who had reduced him to this state, to this existence. And yet, Robin had always held his head so high despite it all.
"I'm so so sorry. So sorry. I never knew. I'm so sorry" I said, it felt so odd. Robin had previously been so strong for me, he'd been a shoulder to cry on when I needed one and now here I was, trying to console him of so much grief. Yet, I had to wonder, no matter what we might ever find in each other, no matter how strong our love for each other could become, how could he find resolve in it? He'd lost his entire planet, his people. He's lost everyone he ever loved or loved him and would probably fear losing what little he had left for the rest of his life.
"We'd better get going" He eventually said.
"Are you sure you can manage?" I asked him.
"I have to." He replied. It was then I saw how he did it, it was the responsibility which rested on his shoulders that kept him going. Without it, he'd crumple into a broken ball of emotion, which also begged the question, "What would an existence be without him?" If people like him (if there were others like him, I so hoped he wasn't alone) didn't take it upon their responsibility to help where would the universe be?
I couldn't argue however, he was the kingdom's best hope. There was but one resolve I could offer him. "Robin, if you want, if it would put your heart at rest I would stay here, if you should ask me to." I suggested to him.
"Anne." Robin spoke, "Who would I be to order you that, I could never. What would that make me, what would that make me to you? No, you must do what you feel you must. I can accept that just as I can respect it. I wouldn't want it any other way."
"Then you understand why I must go with you?"
"I do." He replied difficultly. "But I won't leave your side for an instant."
"Wouldn't have it any other way." I smiled warmly, wiping the tears from my eyes. Never had I admired his strength of character more.
"Well then." He smiled back so charmingly, piecing himself together once more.
"Better see to it you know exactly what we're dealing with shouldn't we." And with that he ran out down one of the TARDIS corridors only to return shortly thereafter, with a pile of books at hand.
"Robin what's this about?" I questioned.
"This." He gestured to a book on top of the pile "Is a book specifically to do with radiogenic weaponry. Not exactly my area of expertise, such an unsavoury topic to say the least. And sure given a moment's look at the device I could probably disarm the thing BUT hey, let's not be taking any chances. By the time I'm done we will both be seasoned experts on the subject." Robin explained with delight.
"Robin we hardly have the time." I said surprised with his enthusiasm.
"Sh sh" Robin replied with an outstretched hand. Robin flicked through the first book, watching each page go by in a blur. He couldn't be serious, this is ridiculous, even for him. With each book he did the same thing, held it up, cocked his head a little and watched the pages fly by. In less than a minute he'd flicked through the lot. "Mm Intriguing read. Okay that should be all the information you will need." Robin stated, motioning towards me. He wove his long fingers through the hair on either side of my head, entwining them thoroughly until they rested on either side of my head, cupped over both my ears and he gazed deeply into my eyes.
"Robin, time and place" I teased expecting a kiss to follow, though to my surprise that wasn't the case.
"This may hurt a little." Was all he spoke, hardly the warning he should have given. And with that he bumped his forehead to my own softly. I stumbled backward agasp at content which filled my mind, sifting speedily into place. System schematics, blueprints, all manner of diagrams and words I had never seen or heard before appeared in my head. Like a cloud of raw information floating around in my mind, the pieces swiftly nestling away, as if merely retiring to their designated resting place, waiting to be called upon should the moment ever arise. In that one brief, single moment my mind had truly, literally been opened.
"Oh my head" I spoke, clutching my temples in awe. "You really did just read all those books didn't you? You spoon-fed them straight into my mind."
"I'm sorry" Robin hugged me sympathetically. "It's a rather blunt approach to sharing information, but I'm afraid in this case it was the only option. I have other means of telepathic communication of course, holding hands and so on, none though really appropriate for one so unacquainted with those methods. Don't worry, the pain will pass momentarily."
"Warn me next time" I smiled back warmly, I couldn't really be angry with him after all.
"Not exactly the sort of information I'd like to be filling your head with, unfortunately circumstance once again conspires to say otherwise. But now you're ready, if you must indeed come with me then you are ready." Robin said with relief, but again I could see a worried look in his expression.
"Everything will be fine" I reassured him. He honestly did love me, I couldn't avoid seeing that now. Everything he was doing was in some way an act of compassion, sparked on by the love he felt, for me. I don't think I could entirely get used to that thought, all this time spent questioning it and now, irrevocably, however surreal, it was indeed there. And I loved him all the more for it. He wrapped his arms around me, tucking his chin over my shoulder. I savoured that moment like a final respite, I had an eerie feeling it could be our last. I had to wonder did he feel that too?
"I hope so." He murmured through saddened eyes. "How are things settling in there?" He motioned laying his hand on my forehead.
"The device requires a five hour charge recycle to dump ion residues and culminate sufficient neutrino emissions in order to prove effective" I spoke to my disbelief followed by a long whistle. "Did I really just say all that?"
"That's my girl" Robin grinned kissing me on the forehead "I said you were brilliant". He took a long look at me, obviously he still was anxious about bringing me into a battle, no matter how prepared I may be.
"It will be okay" I reassured him once more.
"Sure it will." He replied. And in that moment his armour was back on and the moment was gone. I couldn't help but wonder if I'd ever live to see Robin's tender side again. The thought bugged me continuously, becoming a lingering worry in me from there in, always lurking somewhere on my mind. The worry bestowed a sombre reminder in me then and there. If this is the degree to which I could worry, how do I ever fully realize the extent to Robins own? Still, his tender smile lingered, an intimate reminder of the bond we now shared.
Authors Note:
Hey! I hope that pleased you all! Sorry for the late update, things are getting rather busy for me. Sooo I plan to finish this story within the next TWO weeks, so stay tuned guys!
Well as you should all probably know there's been a lot of "the reader knows more than the character" going on so far. Robin's finally told Anne his people are extinct (Well sort of, he doesn't know about The Doctor's survival and especially doesn't know the Time Lords did, in fact, survive -as the 50th anniversary episode revealed.
Just to let you know, as a lot of people probably don't know, but The Doctor has demonstrated great skill with a sword on more than a few occasion and I'd say he clearly prefers them to guns, seeing as he very much hates them.
BIG thankyou to Cartoonanimespazz15 and my other betas!
REVIEW! Let me know if you've figured out what will happen or what you think will happen! Type some stuff in the box below, it's pretty easy :)
Till next time :P