The Timelord and the Shaolin's Daughter

Period of Adjustment and Learning

by

Sabrina Lonewalker

Serena walked into the TARDIS wardrobe and began looking for something to wear. "Wish I knew where we were going, it would make dressing a lot easier." TARDIS hummed and Serena dug into the wardrobe. She found a sapphire blue floor length gown with long sleeves and made of a material that resembled silk. She then found a pair of opera length white gloves and a blue silk handbag to match.

She put it all on and looked in the full length mirror. "Well, what do you think?" She had let her hair hang loose and was wearing a light beige shawl over the ensemble. TARDIS purred in appreciation. Serena grinned and headed back to the control room.

In the control room, the Doctor was trying to find a suitable place to take Serena out. Both hearts were beating faster than usual as he thought about her. He would have to take this slowly. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her or go too fast. She was very, very special to him. Finally, he smiled as TARDIS provided the perfect location. "Thanks, old girl." He looked up and TARDIS purred.

"Now," he said out loud, "I need to change, can't go where we're going in this old suit and brown coat." He headed out to his room and changed into the tux he wore the night they had dinner together. He checked himself in the mirror and smiled. He then picked up a black leather coat and a long, white scarf and headed back to the control room.

When he walked in, he saw her and stopped. She looked absolutely beautiful in that blue dress. She smiled, "You're looking quite handsome tonight, Doctor." He smiled, "Thank you but I pale in comparison to you." She grinned as he put on the coat and scarf, looking for all the world like an elegant man about town. He walked over to where she stood and offered her his arm. Once her hand was nestled in the crook of his elbow, the TARDIS doors opened and they strode out into the middle of the Forbidden City.

Serena looked around, her eyes wide with wonder. The Doctor's smile was even wider than normal if that were possible. She looked at him, "You brought me to my families homeland?" He nodded, "I thought you might want to see it for yourself. There's an opera performance in the Great Palace Hall, if you'd like to attend. Then, there's dinner." She smiled, "I'd love to." he smiled and led her into the Performance Hall. They were seated in one of the private boxes and soon, she was losing herself in the music.

The Doctor watched her, watched her face and her obvious enjoyment of the music. His hearts contracvted a bit, she had grown into such a beautiful young woman and then, he frowned. She was young, even if she was older than Rose had been when she died. It still hurt to think about Rose but, the pain was not as soul shattering as it had once been. Rose knew he loved her, he had made sure of that so, there was no regrets in that catagory.

He still felt like this might not work out, what if she met someone else? Someone nearer her own age? Could he handle opening himself up again? His Eighth self had lost Grace near the end of the Time War then, he met Rose. She had helped him heal but then, Canary Wharf had happened and he had been shattered again. Now, he was wondering if this relationship could last longer and go deeper.

He sighed and Serena turned to him, "Are you all right?" She asked, her eyes full of concern. He smiled and took her hand in his, "Yeah, just memories." She smiled and squeezed his hand lightly and did not relinquish it the rest of the performance. He smiled with her hand in his. It felt right, it just felt right. She laid her head on his shoulder as the last act began and his arm slipped around her waist.

He smiled as he rested his chin on her head. It felt so...comfortable, being with her. The opera ended and they left out a back way. They took a taxi to a small resturant and ordered dinner. They talked about the opers and then, he fell silent. Serena looked at him. "You thinking about Rose?" He looked up and nodded. She laid her hand on his, "I know, it still hurts, it always will. Dad still mourns Mom to this day but, according to Peter, he's found someone of his own. They're taking it slow and seeing what happens. Kind of like us, don't you think?"

The Doctor thought about it and smiled, "You're right." Serena was thoughtful then, she looked at him, "Love and loss are a part of what we are. You cannot have one without the other. It's how you deal with it that determines your path. Remember you telling me what Sarah Jane said to you?" The Doctor nodded, thinking back to that encounter with the Krillitaines. He had actually been considering Finch's offer when Sarah Jane had spoken the words he needed to hear. He remembered the tone of her voice, the look on her face, "No, pain and loss define us, just as much as friendship and love. Whether it's a world or a relationship, everything has it's time and everything ends."

He remembered her words penetrating into his brain and picking up the chair to smash the screen. Serena looked at him. She could see he was remembering and she stayed quiet. Then, she smiled, "Sarah Jane was right. It also applies to you and Rose. I'm sorry she died, I really am but, living in the past won't help. You, of all people should know that. It's over and you really need to move on. Rose would want you to live, Doctor, live as only you can. If we stay together, so be it. If, someday we part company, you'll always be my friend, I'll always be grateful to you for saving my life. You don't owe me anything, Doctor."

He was surprised. Serena was offering him his freedom if he chose to take it. She wasn't asking him for any commitment even though he knew she was in love with him. Then, it hit him, Serena loved him so much and so completely, she was willing to let him go if that made him happy. Grace had loved him like that. Rose, Rose loved him, he knew that but, something had held him back, he wasn't sure what it was. He remembered her attitude when Mickey asked to come with them after the Krillitaine incident. Rose had said "Sure, go ahead." But she had not been pleased and the Doctor had noticed it.

She had been getting possessive in a way of the times she spent with him. He had felt restricted but, he had hoped she would mature and learn but, sadly, she never had the chance. It was time to put that behind him and look at the possible future he could have with Serena Caine.

TBC