Rose stepped out of the TARDIS. She was as nervous as she was excited, looking around the room slowly. The twins followed the Doctor out, and he shut the door behind them all.
She felt like there should be words, something to express her gratitude- and her fear, but she couldn't find them. Instead, she shuffled over to the large glass, looking down.
She was looking at the Earth, right there below them. She had never seen it like this, never imagined that she would, because she never imagined anything like this could really be out there.
And this far in the future, her home still stood. Right there, a whole big picture, that she was unable to touch. It made her homesick, but happy at the same time, because it still existed, way beyond her and her years.
"You lot," the Doctor said, softly. "Spend all your time thinking about what's going to kill you, that you never really stop to think about the impossible."
She saw a smile flash across Shy's face, for a fleeting moment.
"What's the impossible?" Rose asked.
"That you survive," the Doctor said, nodding to the Earth. "Rose, this is the year 5.5/apple/26. It's five billion years into your future."
"And what are we doing here?" Rose asked, glancing at him, and then back at the view.
"Today is the day that the sun expands," Shy said, glancing at her father now, her brow wrinkled. He looked away. "The end of the world."
Rose opened her mouth to speak, but closed it again. When she had thought of adventure, it hadn't had anything to do with watching the Earth's final moments. It shouldn't be so sad, she knew, not really. The Earth had so many years after her, this shouldn't feel like something that was being ended too soon.
But it was sad, to her.
And when he stepped away, she followed, the twins just behind them. They were talking in low voices, and she got the impression they didn't want to be overheard. The Doctor wasn't quite waiting on her or the twins, but she moved faster to keep up.
Overhead, there was an announcement about a guest, and she glanced up at the Doctor. He didn't exactly look like he wanted to talk, despite the smile he had been wearing in the TARDIS. When they had stepped out, looked at the Earth, it seemed like a different mood had swept over him suddenly.
But she wasn't spending the rest of the day in silence, not when she had questions. Not when he had chosen to bring her here, of all places.
"So..." she started. "Guest means people, yeah?"
"Sort of." Gav said, closing the gap between the Doctor and her and them.
"What does sort of mean?" Rose asked, thankful for the conversation. Even with the announcement, the sort of mechanical hum- that wasn't comforting like the TARDIS- it still seemed overly quiet.
"Aliens," Shy said. "They're aliens, so... Maybe not people like you're thinking."
"Right," Rose said, the Doctor simply nodding. "So, what are we here for?" she asked, looking at the three of them.
"Fun," the Doctor said, nodding, before heading off again.
DW
He wasn't sure why he brought them here. Somewhere between his need to impress her and the ache in his soul, this is where he found himself. And she had seemed impressed, at least at first.
They could still walk away, really. Get back on the TARDIS, fly somewhere that wasn't likely to lead to feelings or regret. They could spend the day in laughter, and not have to realize what this universe was really like for a little bit longer. Rose would be an excellent lie, helping the others to believe for a bit.
He knew that's what he should do, but his feet kept moving. He chose not to think about what that might say about him, or his feelings at the moment.
She was still following him though, he hadn't lost her yet. So, even if he couldn't make himself leave, maybe he could salvage this trip.
"I thought the sun expanding took hundreds of years," Rose said, looking him over.
"It does," he agreed, slowing slightly and looking at her. "Millions, really, in your sun's case. It's been preserved."
"Why?" Rose asked.
"Sentiment, I'd imagine," Shy said, glancing at her father and then looking away.
The Doctor knew he should say something to them. To all of them.
"Are we going to stop it then?" Rose asked, sounding so hopeful. "Like step in, and keep it preserved."
The hope in her voice was almost enough to break him, but he managed to hold himself together.
"We can't do that, Rose," he said, as gently as he could manage. "It's had its time."
Rose looked a little lost. If he could, he thought he might save it, just for her, but he wasn't going to destroy history for one little human, whom he barely knew. He was dangerous, but maybe not that much anymore.
"It's empty," Shy said. "Has been for quite some time. It's just... Oceans and land now."
"It was my home," Rose said. "Don't you understand?"
Shy looked away. "Not really," she said, softly. "Sorry."
Rose watched her, and the Doctor shook his head, moving them forward.
"I can't be the only one left," Rose protested, looking him over.
It felt like drowning, but the Doctor's feet were still planted firmly on the ground
"No, course not," he said, shaking his head, moving into the next room. "There are others. Not on Earth anymore, but you humans never really stop spreading out. Learning, and growing. Surviving."
She nodded, as they were stopped. A man was coming towards them, his lips drawn into a tight line.
"Who the hell are you four?" he asked, sounding disgusted.
"Little ears," the Doctor protested, feeling more annoyed than offended.
"Oh, cause we've never heard that word before," Shy muttered.
"We are expecting the guest any minute," the man continued, as if he hadn't heard them. "You need to leave."
"Guest!" the Doctor said, brightly, and he dug into his jacket pocket. Rose jumped at his outburst, and he flashed her a real smile. "That's us."
He felt around, digging deeper than he should have had to, before his fingers found the psychic paper.
The man was watching him, looking doubtful, but he waited until the Doctor flashed it open.
"See," the Doctor said, watching as his words reached the man's brain. "I'm the Doctor, Rose is my guest. And the kids, of course."
"Well," the man said, as the Doctor stuffed the paper back into his pocket. "I suppose if you're on board, we better get started."
The Doctor watched him walk away, smiling at them.
"When do we get some psychic paper?" Gav asked. "I can think of at least five instances that it would have come in handy, Dad."
"Great responsibility and all," the Doctor said, patting his shoulder, and moving forward as the worker announced that everyone should report to their stations.
DW
Shy followed them into the other room, looking around. They were in the first group of people there, only workers filling up the room so far. They moved off, closer to the glass, while she crossed her arms.
She fought back a yawn, and then another. She tried to pretend she wasn't tired, but her brain was fighting the lack of normal sleep, and it was getting harder to hide.
Gav was right about talking to him, she was certain, but she wasn't ready to do it yet. Maybe when they get home tonight. She definitely wanted to pull him aside and ask him why he thought this was the most appropriate spot for a first adventure.
Gav tugged her arm, and they moved farther away from the Doctor and Rose.
"What are you thinking about?" Gav asked, watching as guest names were read off, and they entered the room.
"I'm thinking this is a lousy way to celebrate the end of someone's world," Shy said, lowering her arms.
"You don't think a party is the right way to say goodbye?" Gav asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Do you?" she asked, digging in her pocket after realizing they were expected to have gifts. "It'd be nicer if he told us stuff like this beforehand... He's not exactly prepared."
"Oh!" Gav said, grinning. "Don't worry about that, I always have presents."
He dug out a stack of books, and Shy read the spine on them all. They were all the same book, and he handed one to everyone as they walked by, as Shy accepted the other gifts, including the spit that she had to wipe from her face as soon as it was acceptable.
For being a traveler she still felt awkward, unsure of herself. Gav, however, seemed right at home.
"See!" he said, proudly as he handed off his last book. "You just have to be prepared for anything, and then you can handle everything."
"I'm thinking about hating you," she said, as she moved farther away, closer to the window.
Gav let out a huff, and followed after her.
"Check out the newest entry," he said, nodding as the final guest was wheeled in. A flab of talking skin.
Shy felt ill listening to this Cassandra speaking. She wasn't sure how much of her lies were intentional, but they were plentiful, and she found herself growing angrier with every word.
She certainly couldn't call herself the last human, there wasn't anything human left about her. Shy wondered what Rose was feeling, and felt certain that she too was disgusted as Rose stormed out of the room.
The Doctor shot them a glance, and narrowed his eyes in warning.
They were to stay. They were to wait. Shy turned, facing out the window and sighing. She could wait. Time, they had, after all. It was the Earth thatwas running out of time, not them.