A/N: OH MY GOD GUYS WE BROKE 50 REVIEWS IM FREAKING OUT ASFJAKJ !$ $ )
P.S. So this ended up being 12k, so ive split it into 3 parts. Enjoy! [I loved writing this episode.]
Good luck explaining that one, Finn thought as he was deposited into wherever the fuck he was now.
There was the sound of a dog barking off in the distance. Finn frowned and brought his hands up to rub his eyes. He never usually had such a peaceful landing, and normally by now the Doctor was saying hello–
Which meant…
Panic gripped Finn like a vice, and he squinted to try and make out anything.
"Doctor?" Finn asked, quietly. Just in case.
He wasn't going to be that one person in a horror movie that gave away their location by screaming or whatever.
Finally, as the room came into focus, Finn breathed a sigh of relief.
He was in a bedroom, which he assumed meant he was safe, but there was no Doctor in sight.
Concerned, he headed out into the hall to take a look around.
There wasn't much to be seen or heard, and he didn't recognise anything either. "Doctor?" he asked again, a little louder this time.
There was no response.
Eventually, he made it to the end of the hall. Finn carefully peeked around the corner and grinned as he finally recognised where he was.
Not wanting to scare the blonde woman that sat in the living room, Finn cleared his throat.
Jackie turned, and then promptly screamed when she saw Finn. Finn held up his hands in a peaceful gesture as she jumped to her feet. "Who the hell are you?" She exclaimed. "How did you get in here?"
Okay, Finn thought. Probably could've done this better. "I'm with the Doctor," he explained in a hurry. "My name's Finnick Anderson–"
"Are you here for Rose?" Jackie demanded as she converged on him. "I'm not going to let you lay a hand on my daughter you creep."
"No, no, no!" Finn waved his hands frantically. "I swear, I'm not here to hurt anyone–"
"I have a gun!" Jackie announced.
Finn blinked. "...No you don't."
"Oh yes I do," Jackie reached into the pockets of her jacket and Finn sighed internally. He'd only made things worse.
"Look! Look, alright." Finn crouched down, lowering his height in hopes of being less intimidating. "I swear I'm not gonna hurt you, just let me explain!"
"You've got five seconds mister," Jackie spat the last word. "Five."
"Wait, are you actually–"
"Four."
"Oh shit," Finn cursed.
"Three."
He looked around frantically, spying the christmas tree and presents.
"Two."
And then he heard it, the unmistakeable sound of the TARDIS.
"One."
"Listen!" Finn shouted before she could do anything rash. "Just... Just listen!"
Jackie frowned, but must've managed to hear the sound as well, because she turned and gasped. "Rose!" She exclaimed.
She was out the door without even a second glance in Finn's direction.
"Jesus fucking christ," Finn swore as he released a deep sigh of relief. He had not been prepared for that. The wrath of a mother, he mused, and then remembered that the Doctor was pretty much the only chance he had at escaping said wrath.
He hurried out the door, and took the steps two at a time. He paused when the TARDIS passed by, watching it land almost-perfectly before dashing out into the courtyard.
Mickey and Jackie had already grouped in front of the TARDIS, and neither paid Finn much attention as he waited behind them.
After a moment, the door opened and the Doctor poked his head out. Finn had to stifle a laugh at the Time Lord's outfit. Ten looked adorable in his baggy leather jacket and tee.
The look really didn't suit him all that well.
Oh, Finn thought suddenly. Maybe he'd get to be there for the first time the Doctor put on the pin-striped suit. Finn was probably more excited about that than he should be.
"Here we are then, London. Earth. The Solar System." The Doctor grinned. "We did it."
We? Finn thought, curious. Rose couldn't drive the TARDIS.
Then the Doctor stepped out of the TARDIS and looked around at his surroundings, before pausing when he stumbled upon: "Jackie!" He said cheerfully, then, "Mickey. Blimey!"
And then his expression turned serious when his eyes landed on Finn. "I see you're back again. Oh well, one problem at a time."
"I don't even get a happy rendition of my name?" Finn sassed cheekily, but wasn't really bothered.
This was the earliest version of the Doctor he'd met, and boy-oh-boy was he fucking nervous.
The Doctor carried on without responding to Finn. "All of you, wait there. I've got something to say. There was something I had to tell you, something important. What was it?" He then reached out and placed a hand each on Mickey and Jackie's shoulders. "No, hold on, hold on. Hold on, shh, shh, shh, shh. Oh, I know!" He grinned. "Merry Christmas!"
Knowing what was to come, Finn had already positioned himself close enough for when the Doctor collapsed. As the Time Lord fell, Finn swiftly snuck an arm around his waist, maneuvering the Doctor so that he fell into his arms.
He lifted the man (easily, Ten was impossibly thin) bridal style, not wanting him to fall to the ground and hit his head. The regeneration was hard enough on the Time Lord by itself.
"What happened?" Rose asked as she exited the TARDIS. "Is he all right?"
She paused as she noticed Finn.
"I don't know, he just keeled over." Mickey answered. "But who is he? Where's the Doctor?"
"Better yet," Jackie stared scathingly at Finn. "Who's the wannabe Hugh Jackman?"
"I am honored that you likened me to Wolverine," Finn said seriously. "And this is the Doctor."
"What do you mean, that's the Doctor? Doctor who?" Jackie asked.
Roll credits, Finn thought.
"Finnick." Rose stormed right up to Finn and pointed a finger at him. "You have a lot of nerve showing up here after the stunt you pulled! I ought to have you arrested." She crossed her arms. "What even are you, anyway? Slitheen? Dalek?"
"...I sense that you're angry at me," Finn replied after a beat. "But you should know: I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. I'm human though, since you're wondering."
"Don't pull that crap, Finn. I saw you when–"
"Spoilers," Finn interrupted. "Please, don't say anything more. You're talking about a future me, if you tell me too much it could fuck things up."
Rose glared at Finn. "Get out of here!"
"I can't," Finn replied evenly. "I'm holding the Doctor."
"Give him to Mickey!"
Mickey shook his head. "I don't want any part in this."
Wise choice.
"Seriously, Rose." Finn tried for a beseeching smile. "This is my first time meeting you. Can you save the anger for the future me that pissed you off?"
Rose narrowed her eyes at Finn, but finally relented. "You're lucky you've got such a gorgeous face."
"Hold on," Mickey piped up. "'Gorgeous face'?" He parroted.
"Finnick Anderson," Finn said before the sorta-kinda-couple could fight. "I would offer my hand, but I'm currently carrying an unconscious Time Lord."
"We've been introduced," Rose said, unamused. "Come on then. Most as well make yourself useful. Let's get him inside."
Pleased that he'd managed to diffuse the situation, Finn nodded. "Aye, aye, captain."
"Shut up," Rose sassed.
Finn pressed his lips tightly together, earning an exasperated eye-roll from Rose.
Mickey and Rose took the lead, and Finn brought up the rear as he was moving a bit awkwardly with the extra weight. Jackie held the door open for him when they made it back to their flat.
"So who is this guy?" Finn heard Jackie ask as he headed off to the bedroom. "This… Finnick."
"I don't really know," Rose responded. "But… we can trust him."
Finn smirked to himself. Good on ya, Rose.
He made it to the bedroom, and their conversation was too far away for him to hear. He sighed forlornly, but turned his attention to the Doctor.
"Now then," he said to the Time Lord as he lowered the man softly onto the bed. "I hope you don't need me to sing you a lullaby. I'm a shit singer."
He drew the blankets back, lifting the Time Lord's torso as he did so.
Then he propped the man's head up with some pillows that he'd taken the liberty to fluff up and straighten.
"You're gonna be okay," Finn said with a small, private smile.
"Is that a future knowledge thing, or you just being optimistic?"
Finn turned to find Rose standing in the doorway, her expression carefully guarded.
"Both," Finn answered after a moment's consideration.
Rose nodded, accepting his answer. She then threw a folded set of PJs onto the bed. "Okay, go ahead."
"What?"
She waved at the clothes. "Change him. He stinks."
"Excuse me?" Finn near-squeaked.
Rose shifted uncomfortably as she said: "Well, Mickey doesn't want to do it. You're the only other guy here."
Finn swallowed as he thought about that would mean. I'd have to stirp him, he realised. A naked Doctor. "But–" He tried, only to be interrupted
"Man up and grow a pair," Rose told him finally, and then left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Finn was totally capable of keeping things professional. He was a decent bloke, he didn't get off on getting a peek at naked unconcious people- especially when they hadn't given him permission first.
But… he was a bit stuck on the logistics of it.
Was the Doctor wearing underwear? Would he have to take off said underwear when putting on the PJs? Finn certainly didn't wear his boxers under his pyjama pants.
On top of that, Finn doubted he could survive the whole process of taking off the Doctor's pants.
"Start small," Finn decided finally. "Fuck it."
He kneeled at the end of the bed and took off the Doctor's boots. Then he rolled off the Doctor's socks.
Next, he took off the Doctor's jacket.
He held the material between his hands, thumb caressing the texture. Finn smiled, more than a bit in awe. He was holding the Ninth Doctor's jacket!
A thought hit him suddenly, and he searched through its pockets, eventually finding the sonic screwdriver. He chuckled and placed it on the dresser.
With practiced movements, he folded up the jacket carefully and laid it across the back of a nearby chair.
Now he was down to the last two items, with a possible surprise bonus round waiting for him.
"I promise I won't stare," Finn assured aloud.
The Doctor gave no response.
Channeling his inner nurse for professionalism, Finn got the pyjama top ready, undoing the buttons for efficient 'putting on'. God, Finn thought. I'm doomed.
As quickly as he could manage, Finn tugged the shirt over the Doctor's head (oh shit chest, lots of chest, lots of skin) and then slipped the top on. His fingers failed him on the second button, because the whole act of dressing another person- especially the Doctor- was way too sensual and he had to take a break to calm down.
"You can do this," he said to himself. It was a total lie. He really needed to stop lying to himself.
Finn stared at the ceiling for a good few minutes, before drawing a breath and racing through the last couple of buttons.
Once he was done, Finn removed his hands from the Doctor's chest-vicinity and mentally recited the lyrics to the Friends theme song to distract himself.
His last challenge remained before him, and Finn bid his sanity goodbye because this was going to ruin him forever. He was sure of it.
"Locker room rules," Finn reminded himself. Then he spent a good ten seconds staring at the zipper of the Doctor's slacks.
It was a minefield, and Finn treated it as such.
With a delicate touch, he unbuttoned and then unzipped the pants slowly. He made sure to avert his eyes as he parted the fly. To tug the pants off, he stared at the lower-half of the Doctor's legs with laser-focus and tugged.
It took a bit of effort as they were tight fitting, but eventually the pants were free and Finn immediately tossed them to the side.
Finn then grabbed the pyjama bottoms and slipped them over the Doctor's feet, deciding that he didn't not have to will power to deal with underwear either way. He pulled the waistband up, and as he neared the DANGER zone, Finn couldn't help but chance a peek.
Boxer-briefs. And whilst it was a very… inspiring view, Finn was the teensiest bit disappointed.
He was kinda hoping the Doc wouldn't have had undies on.
With one final pull, the pyjama bottoms were securely on and Finn wiped at his brow in relief.
He had just enough time to adjust himself and pull the blankets up over the Doctor when there was a knock at the door. "All done?"
"Yeah," Finn called. Then, under his breath he sighed: "Thank God."
Rose entered and looked between Finn and the Doctor. "He okay?"
"Yeah. No change," Finn told her.
She nodded and moved closer, but appeared wary.
"We should check him out," Rose said.
Jackie came up behind her. "How's he doing?"
"He'll be fine," Finn reassured them both.
"Hold on, I have an idea." Jackie placed a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder for a moment, before dashing off.
Finn shrugged at Rose and sat down on the end of the bed. He examined the Doctor's face, checking for any signs of discomfort. Even though he knew the Time Lord was going to be okay, he couldn't help but worry.
"So, first time meeting me, huh?" Rose said as she joined him. She sat down on the edge of the bed, near the top. "What do you think so far?"
Finn hummed thoughtfully. "Well. You're a lot prettier in person."
Rose scoffed. "Aren't you just a charmer."
"I try," Finn grinned. "It helps when it's the truth."
She raised a brow. "Why, Finnick, you've only just met me."
"Don't tell me you mind."
Rose grinned. "I don't."
"Here we go." Jackie bustled into the room, interrupting the moment. She took a seat at the head of the bed and passing Rose a stethoscope. "Tina the cleaner's got this lodger, a medical student, and she was fast asleep, so I just took it. Though I still say we should take him to hospital."
"We can't. They'd lock him up. They'd dissect him. One bottle of his blood could change the future of the human race." Rose explained. When Jackie try to stress the matter, Rose interrupted: "No! Shush!"
"Hey," Finn said, perturbed. "Be nice to your mother."
"Sorry," Rose apologised half-heartedly. She then proceeded to check both of the Doctor's hearts. "Both working."
"What do you mean, both?"
Rose didn't answer, though. She'd turned away from the Doctor and was now shifting closer to Finn. He frowned in confusion as she began using the stethoscope to check his heart.
"The Doctor has two hearts," Finn explained because Rose hadn't and Jackie was still waiting.
Jackie scoffed. "Oh, don't be stupid."
"One heart," Rose mumbled to herself as she pulled away from Finn. Curiouser and curiouser, Finn thought to himself. Rose then stood to leave the room. "And he has got two hearts, mum."
"Anything else he's got two of?" Jackie asked cheekily.
Rose turned on her mother. "Leave him alone," she reprimanded softly.
Jackie glanced at Finn as she moved to follow her daughter. "Are you coming, Finnick?"
"Nah," Finn said. "I'm fine right here, thanks."
She nodded. "Suit yourself. We'll be out here if you need anything, or if something changes with the Doctor."
Finn waved goodbye as she left and then turned his attention back to the Doctor.
It was nice to just sit for once, Finn thought.
And right before his eyes, the Doctor exhaled some of his residual regeneration energy. Finn admired how beautiful it was, golden and glowing gorgeously. There was no way CGI could ever compare.
The golden tendril then escaped through the window, and Finn watched it go.
After a while of watching the Doctor and reassuring himself that he was okay, Finn got up and left the bedroom.
"Is something wrong?" Rose asked as he entered the lounge. "Is the Doctor awake?"
"Nah," Finn answered. "I was just going to go and check on the TARDIS."
"Oh. Okay then."
Finn paused. "Come get me if something goes wrong, yeah?"
Rose smiled. "Sure thing."
He gave her a mock-salute and then left the flat. As awesome as it was to see Rose in person, he felt kind of awkward around her. Obviously something had happened to make her feel wary about both himself and the Doctor.
The latter was obvious. In the episode Rose had been skeptical of the Doctor's transformation.
As to why Rose was suspicious of Finn… He was drawing a blank.
"Hey there Sexy," Finn greeted as he reached the TARDIS. "How's it going?"
He grinned excitedly as he brought his thumb and forefinger up, snapping them dramatically. The TARDIS doors swung open, and Finn gave a cheerful whoop.
Once he entered the vehicle, the doors automatically closed behind him. Finn patted the TARDIS thankfully and then approached the console. "Just wanted to check up on you," Finn said. He looked over all of the switches and knobs. Whilst the look differed amongst all of the Doctor's regenerations, the configuration was still the same.
"Which reminds me- I like the new look," Finn commented.
Miraculously, he received a response. The TARDIS hummed in what he figured was a happy way, and Finn beamed. "You're very much welcome."
The TARDIS… chirped? He wasn't exactly sure, but it was an incredibly adorable noise that had his inner fanboy squealing.
"You know, I tried talking to you before," Finn said. "But I guess you didn't respond because House had you?"
There was an affirmative warble.
"Ah. Well, it's a pleasure to be able to converse with ya', Sexy."
The TARDIS chirped again, and Finnick patted the console affectionately.
He brought up the status of the TARDIS on the screen to make sure there wasn't any problems. Finn was careful not to connect to any external sources- like TV or wifi, because then the Sycorax would notice the 'foreign machinery'. He couldn't have that happening early.
Everything he read appeared to give the okay, or, at least everything that he read that he understood. Except, from what he could tell, the TARDIS was still rebuilding. He pursed his lips in consideration.
He didn't know how to help the process, so really, there wasn't much he could do.
"It's all okay as far as I can tell. You know, whilst I'm here… I most as well get something to eat." He looked to the ceiling. "Wanna join me?"
He received another affirmative warble, and Finn chuckled. "This is so cool. We should do this more often."
The TARDIS chirped in agreement, and Finn shut down the monitor to go and get some food.
Much to his surprise, there was a whole meal set out on the table when he arrived in the kitchen. He gaped and said to the TARDIS: "Is this all for me?"
He received a sassy sounding hum in response. Finn figured it was TARDIS speak for 'duh'.
"Wow. Thanks so much!" He sat down and took in the fare greedily.
Roast and potatoes with veggies on the side, all soaked in gravy. A few dinner rolls with butter waiting, and a drink of soda. To top it off, a side of grilled prawns with tartar sat temptingly just to the left of him.
"This is classic," Finn boasted in awe. "It really is Christmas, or… Christmas eve? What day is it, anyway?"
The TARDIS warbled as though it didn't care either way. Finn had to agree.
He thanked the TARDIS once more before digging into the meal. Sexy had really outdone herself. It was all delicious and Finn could very easily get used to this kind of lifestyle.
Once he was finished, he cleaned and stacked the dishware on the rack. Because he was nice, not because he was trying to suck up to the super awesome space/time travel machine he was in.
Ugh, Finn was so lame.
Finn quickly went and freshened up in his ensuite. He also emptied out a pencil cup to fill it with water and place the flowers in it. Then he took off his satchel and tugged off his sweater, leaving him in a Deadpool tee and undershirt. He grabbed a jacket for later.
Finally he tousled his hair just the right way and declared himself ready for Doctor-adventuring duty.
"Bye, Sexy!" Finn farewelled as he passed through the console room.
The TARDIS sounded a goodbye chirrup.
Finn grinned. "Catch you later."
He pulled the doors open, and as soon as he had both feet on the ground, he clicked his fingers.
The TARDIS doors swung shut behind him.
"So fucking cool."
He blinked up at the setting sun, surprised by how quickly nightfall had come. He hurried up to the flat before it got too dark.
Also he was eager to check on the Doctor again.
...He wasn't going to overthink that fact.
"Oh, welcome back, Finnick." Jackie looked up from where she was seated on the couch. "Rose just left with Mickey for some last minute Chrissie shopping."
"Ooo, fun." Finn grinned.
Jackie thumbed the mug she held. "Did you want something to drink? A snack? You're welcome to anything in the fridge."
"Aww, that's really kind of you." Finn waved her off, "But I just ate in the TARDIS."
"There's food in there?"
Finn nodded and replied: "If you know where to look."
"Rose never mentioned that. Does that mean the Doctor pops off for some grocery shopping every now and then? I can't imagine that."
"Me neither." Finn chuckled. "Nah, the TARDIS provides whatever we need. She's cool like that."
Jackie frowned. "She?"
"The TARDIS is a she. She thinks and communicates and takes care of us." Finn leaned against the counter, folding the jacket over his arm. "The Doctor just never brings it up. He does call her 'old girl' sometimes."
"Wow," Jackie breathed in wonder. "You know I don't think I'll ever wrap my head around all of this alien stuff. You kids will just have to make sure I don't accidently sign away my life or something."
"We'll do our best," Finn told her. "But I think you need to give yourself more credit."
"Aw. That's sweet of you, love." Jackie settled back in the couch. "Now why don't you go check on the boyfriend you're so worried about."
Finn sputtered as she gave him a knowing look. "I– He– We're not–"
"Oh you don't need to explain anything to me." Jackie cut him off, blessedly. "I'll bring some tea in for you both in a tick."
More than happy to make his escape, Finn thanked her in advance and then headed off. When he made it to the bedroom, the Doctor was exactly how he'd left him. Seeing as Rose wasn't there anymore, Finn went ahead and took a seat near the head of the bed.
To reassure himself that the Doctor wasn't dead (because he kinda looked dead to be honest), Finn hovered his hand over the Time Lord's mouth to see if he was breathing. Then he rested his head against the Doctor's chest and listened to his twin hearts beat… for a few minutes. The sound was oddly soothing.
Satisfied, he took the Doctor's hand in his and waited.
"I wish you were awake," Finn began after a while. "I mean, I'm gonna let you sleep as long as I can. I don't want you to go through the same pain you experienced on the show… But if you were here, maybe I wouldn't feel so… alone."
He sighed and rubbed his thumb over the Doctor's hand.
"– Oh, no. Don't come round, darling. No, flat's all topsy turvy." Jackie bustled into the room, carrying a mug in each hand and clenching the phone between her shoulder and neck. "Yeah, she just barges in and litters the place. Yeah. No, I'll come round and see you on Boxing day."
She placed one down on the bedside table for the Doctor, and then gave one to Finn.
He mouthed a thanks at her, and she gave him a smile before leaving with a little wave.
Finn sipped at his tea, then startled as more golden regeneration energy escaped through the Doctor's lips. Finn watched it fondly, still so amazed by how ethereal it was.
The door slammed outside, causing Finn to startle and nearly drop his drink. Shouts followed, and Finn placed his mug down on the table, frowning in concern.
An awfully loud whirring noise started up after a moment of deathly silence. Finn jumped to his feet, realising something was wrong.
In the next instant, a horribly loud rendition of 'jingle-bells' began to play, and then the screaming started.
Oh shit, Finn thought as he figured out what was going on. He'd been so focused on the Sycorax he'd completely forgotten about the killer tree.
...And that was not a thing Finn thought he'd ever have to think.
Jackie and Rose appeared in the doorway, shouting at each other. "We've got to save the Doctor," Rose insisted.
"What're you doing?" Jackie questioned, panicked.
"We can't just leave him," Rose responded, horrified that her mother could even imply that.
She then rushed inside and started trying to wake the Doctor. Jackie called for Mickey, who must've still been trying to hold back the tree.
Finn, meanwhile, had grown way too used to the whole 'facing death' thing. He very calmly (at least in his mind) went over to the dutchess and grabbed the sonic that he'd placed there earlier. He tuned out all the panic and impending doom, focusing on switching the screwdriver to the right setting.
"You'd better remember this one. If you come upon something dangerous, this might just shut it down."
Once the sonic was ready, Finn made his way back around the bed.
As soon as the door broke open, Finn pointed the sonic screwdriver and activated it, causing the tree to explode.
A/N: Seriously, guys, thank you all so much for the support! Big round of applause for all of you!
Replies to Reviews: twilightvamps: I'm more than happy to reply to reviews, they keep me going. Thanks for always leaving one!
TricksterAngel1: Thanks! 12 will be next episode (2 chapters) and 9 will be in 2 episodes. Unless I change my mind. And yeh im sooo excited! A really big thing is happening for their relationship in 1 episode! Love ya!
Stevie: Oh nooo! I feel the pain of being with shoddy internet. Glad you've got it back tho! Also, if u want u can fav the story to get email alerts. Thanks for reviewing xo
Equinox: That's okay! I appreciate all constructive criticism so that was totally fine. I'm happy your excited, hopefully I don't dissapoint:)
amrawo: YASSSS THEY ARE SO CUTE OMGOMG plus ignorant finn is my fav I don't really want that to change but at the same time I do want them to progress (which will be happening SOON WOO)
funny coolness: !Thanks!~~ It does take more time to write so i appreciate the Reviews.
Next Time... More of the same stuff, really. There's some cute Finn/Doc moments tho
(please review)