Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who, but I do own nearly everything else. Not Minneapolis. No, that belongs to… Minnesota? The mayor?
"Your… kids?" I asked, staring incredibly at the two children on Nicky's hip.
One of them was a boy, who looked quite a bit like the Nicky I remembered fondly. He had the same long, blond hair, and the same bone structure. However, his eyes weren't blue. They were instead a bright green, like Sarah's eyes.
The other was a girl. She was a bit smaller than her brother, and her face was slightly younger. I assumed there was a slight age difference between them. She looked nothing like Nicky or her brother, and instead closely resembled Sarah. She had the same green eyes, the same long black hair, and the same pale skin.
Then it hit me full on.
Nicky had two children.
Two children… That was enough to make me really think about a lot of things. The first thing my mind dealt with was where my life was going. When Nicky had first been born, I'd decided that I wanted kids. Of course, I wasn't in a relationship, and I hadn't been since. I still needed to find someone I'd like to raise children with. The Doctor… Well, the Doctor was… If it had been possible… He would make a good father, and I wouldn't mind, exactly. He was unavailable, though. Story of my life.
The next thing was that Nicky was eventually going to grow up. Even though I knew that this was the same Nicky I'd tucked in and played with, seeing him like this was odd. Normally, you don't notice gradual change in a person because you're constantly there, and the little things slip past. With this particular scenario, it was as if Nicky had become a different person. I missed the little guy, to be honest.
Nicky grinned. "This is my son, Ian," He shook the boy in his arm slightly. "And my daughter, Catherine."
My eyes focused on the little girl, and my heart paused.
"Kids, this is my aunt Catherine,"
I felt something warm in my hand, and my heart started up again. I threw a smile back at the Doctor, as if to thank him, and then turned back to Nicky and his family. After deciding to put on a brave face for the moment, I smiled.
The next few moments went by in a bit of a blur, at least for me. Sarah left, and Nicky was speaking to me, but I wasn't really listening to any of it. I was staring at the girl whose name was also mine. Had Nicky really named one of his children after me? Of course, it could be that she was named after another Catherine, or maybe they'd just really liked that name. Still, I couldn't help but think she'd been named for me.
"Auntie Cat?"
I blinked and looked to my nephew with a smile, though my mind still wanted to wander to Catherine. "Sorry, what?"
He smiled. "Would you watch these two for a moment?"
I nodded, and stepped towards the children as the Doctor and Nicky turned into another room, or a hallway of some sort. Though I was curious what they were going to talk about, I ignored the urge to ditch the kids and tail them.
"So…" I mumbled as I turned to the kids and flashed an awkward smile. "Hello…"
"Hello." Ian looked confident, and he spoke like a stereotypical smart person.
I bit my bottom lip and looked around the room we were standing in. It was a rather sizable entryway, with a few pictures hanging on the walls and a colorful bouquet of some kind of flower in a vase on the small table against the wall. I was searching for a conversation topic, and the photographs on the walls gave me one. They were the kinds that were taken at school for yearbooks and things. I remembered those.
"Um… What grades are you guys in?"
"I'm a third grader this year, and Cat's a first grader." He looked proud of himself. I'd seen that look on Nicky many times. Whenever he spoke about school, he got that look. Especially after the Doctor left!
"You know," I knelt down to their height, and offered them a grin. "Your dad did pretty good in school."
"Daddy's a genius!" These were the first words that came out of Catherine's mouth. She had a bright look in her eyes.
I nodded. "Yeah, he is," I dropped to the floor and crossed my legs. "One of the smartest people I've ever met. Second to none! Well, one, I guess."
Ian smiled at me, sitting down on the carpet in the space in front of me. "You're just like Daddy said you'd be."
"Am I?" I grinned.
Catherine nodded and sat down beside her brother. "He'll miss you when you're gone."
I opened my mouth to reply, but Sarah's voice made me catch it in my throat. "Dinner!"
Dinner was good. The food was wonderful, and I was sure to compliment Sarah on her excellent cooking. She told me Nicky had taught her, and I honestly hadn't been very surprised. If he could soak up algebra like a sponge, why not cooking as well?
It had been a bit awkward, though. The Doctor had thrown Nicky a few looks that looked slightly angry to me, and Nicky had been sure to avoid his eyes at all costs. He did, however, return the looks when the Doctor was focused on something else. They never spoke directly to each other. In fact, Nicky was silent for the most part, only speaking to tell Ian to chew with his mouth closed and to excuse himself from the table.
I didn't know where he'd learned such good table manners. I sure hadn't taught them to him.
Afterwards, Nicky had taken the kids to get ready for bed because they had school the next morning, and I'd helped Sarah clean up. The Doctor had wandered off. He'd been strangely distant. Then, once all of the adults were in the same room once more, we'd had the conversation about sleeping arrangements. After a bit of argument, the Doctor was to take the couch, and I would sleep in their guest room.
I was now standing in said guest room. It was of decent size, and the walls were painted a plain beige color. The bed was large, most likely to accommodate couples that might spend the night. Probably Ian and Morgan, who I suppose were called 'Grandma and Grandpa' while they were here. Ian must've been at least sixty by now. Anyways, other than that, the room was bare. Just the way guest rooms are supposed to be.
"Here," Sarah reappeared in the doorway, something red cradled in her hands. "These might be a bit big for you, but they're bound to be more comfortable than those." She jerked her head towards my jeans.
I smiled and accepted the pile of what I now assumed were pajamas with an agreeing nod. "Thanks,"
She nodded as well. "In case I don't see you in the morning, it was nice to meet you."
My brow furrowed slightly. "Am I leaving tomorrow?"
She blinked. "Nick said you were," She mumbled. "He said you'd talked about it."
"Oh, well, maybe he and the Doctor set it up," I nodded. "Yeah, that would make sense. Anyways, it was nice to meet you too."
"Night!" She called as she left, closing the door behind her.
With a sigh, my mind started racing, and I hardly registered as my body started moving to redress myself in the red, silken pajamas.
Although I was fine with leaving the next day, I was curious as to what had made the Doctor and Nicky get so close to each other's throats. They'd always gotten along so well, and now they were so… hostile. I'd never seen the Doctor act hostile before. It was a bit frightening. Nicky was a bit of the same, but I'd seen him get angry and hurt someone before. It wasn't often, but it happened.
I suddenly felt tired, and removed my glasses. I set them on the nightstand beside the large bed and crawled onto it, rubbing my eyes gently as I burrowed myself in the covers. They were warm.
Despite the fact that I felt like my body was going to mentally collapse on me any minute, it took me a while to fall asleep. My mind wouldn't stop. It just kept going, and going, and going.
My eyes opened slightly to a blurry, bright green shape. I blinked a few times, assuming it was the middle of the night because I was still extremely tired. After allowing a large yawn to escape my lips, I reached over and grabbed my glasses, my hand bumping the green shape as I did so. After I placed them on my nose, I realized that the green shape was the clock that had been beside my glasses. Two thirty.
I swallowed, and my throat scratched itself. I coughed, and decided to go downstairs and get a glass of water. It would be an excuse for me to see the Doctor asleep. I'd never seen him sleep before, and I was honestly starting to think Time Lords didn't have to.
So, I slinked out of bed and dragged myself over to the door. I pulled it open, and dragged my feet down the hallway and stairs. I was slow to move, but that was fine. It wasn't like I was in any hurry. I eventually made my way down the stairs and turned left into the kitchen. There was a light on over the stove, so I didn't bother to turn on the main lights. I just grabbed a cup from the cupboard I remembered from helping Sarah put dishes away and filled it with water from the tap. Then, I turned to go to the living room.
As I found myself in the archway that led to the large living room, I was a bit disappointed. The Doctor wasn't asleep. Actually, he seemed rather awake. He had the TV on, though the volume was turned off. I couldn't tell what he was watching, but two men were conversing, and it looked rather shady. His hands were loosely balled, and supported his jaw as his elbows rested on his knees. His glasses were on, though I didn't think there was any particular reason. He didn't look like he was very focused on the TV. He did look rather deep in thought, though.
Finally, I decided to make my presence known.
"Do you ever sleep?"
He jumped about ten feet in the air (and I almost mean that literally) and was facing me faster than as if he were getting shot at. His glasses had slid down his nose a bit, and he looked like a very rugged librarian for a moment. He could sure make a girl feel like reading.
"Don't sneak up on me like that!" He whined, placing his hand on the middle of his chest. "My hearts are pounding!"
I smiled and walked over to him. I had a bit more spring in my step now. I didn't really want to look tired and sluggish around the Doctor, did I? "Do you?"
"What? Sleep?" He asked as he dropped back onto the couch.
I nodded and sat down beside him, admiring what the dim lighting and shadows did for his already handsome face.
He sighed, and rubbed his eye roughly. "Sometimes. I need sleep, just not as much as you," He mumbled. "Speaking of, shouldn't you be sleeping?"
I wiggled the cup in my hands. "Dry throat."
"Oh," He nodded, his eyes focusing on the TV again.
I took a sip of my water, and built up the guts to ask him the thing that had been plaguing my dreams. "What happened between you and Nicky?"
He froze for a moment, and then glanced at me. His eyes lingered for a moment, but then went back to the TV. "You should go back to sleep."
I took that as a 'stupid question, now go away and leave me alone'. So, with the strong, painful feeling of rejection in my gut, I got to my feet and started back towards the guest bedroom.
We were back in Minneapolis. It was a nice day, sunny and warm with a breeze hard enough to keep the humidity away but gentle enough to not mess up my hair. We were standing across the street from Nicky's workplace (which I'd since learned was his own company) again, and the alley where the TARDIS was parked (parked?) was only a short distance away.
"This is goodbye, then," Nicky smiled at me sadly.
"Well, I'm sure future-me will come and say hi soon enough. Trust me, I have a good memory… Unless I have Alzheimer's… That would be bad."
He grabbed my arm and pulled me rather roughly against him. His arms wrapped around me, and his chin buried itself in my shoulder. He had to crouch a bit due to my lack of height, but it wasn't too bad. I managed to wrap my own arms around him and hug him tightly. His torso was a bit thicker than it was when he was younger… Well, that makes sense.
"You be careful," He mumbled in my ear before releasing me. There was still a smile on his face, but his eyes were wet and leaking a little bit. He was going to start crying.
"I promise," I smiled and reached out to mess up his hair, though it was a bit of a challenge because he'd grown and I hadn't.
He nodded, and faced the Doctor directly for the first time since when we'd first caught up to him in Lab Five. "You'll take care of her." It wasn't a question. It was a direct statement. Either Nicky knew that he would, or was commanding him to.
The Doctor nodded, and the two shook hands. Nicky hugged me one last time, and then crossed the street. As he met the curb on the other side, I saw him reach up and rub his eyes, and his body jerked a few times. Then, though, he turned and waved, and then went inside.
I contemplated going after him for a moment, but then shook my head and turned to the Doctor.
"Let's go."
He stared at the building, his thinking face causing him to furrow his brow and frown a bit. I knew by now that anything I said for the next few moments would be irrelevant, and most likely unheard anyways. So, I kept quiet for a while, waiting for him to finish his train of thought.
Finally, he turned my way, and sighed. "Time to go, yeah?"
I nodded.
He took a deep breath, took one more glance at the building, and then pulled me back to the alley the TARDIS was parked in.
A/N: I'm on cloud nine. Spring break started yesterday, and I get a week off of school. I slept in today for the first time in weeks. It was nice. I do have to clean my room sometime this week, though, which is a pain because my room is huge and covered in clothes. I'll get it done, though... eventually.
Oh, and I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for being so patient. School's been crazy, as has life, and I've had a bit of trouble finding time to write recently. Seriously, the last chapter I finished was two weeks ago. I'm close to having another one done, and that's one of the reasons I'm posting this. Another is that I don't want to keep you guys on the edge for too long.
So, what'd you think of this chapter? Honestly, it's not one of my favorites. It's alright, and it gets across the point I wanted it to, but still... I'm assuming this has left you all a bit confused. You'll understand eventually. Maybe not soon, but eventually. I'm not sure how many more chapters there will be. It all really depends, I suppose. I never really know how long a story will be until I've finished it. There'll definitely be more chapters that Stuck, though. No doubt about that.
So, I'll try and get back into a weekly updating routine again. See you all next week!
