Chapter 12
"Oh, hello Mr. Smith, Miss Tyler. Didn't expect to see you two wandering about the deck. Enjoying the view?" Jack asks, looking up at the starry sky.
"Very much so. It was such a beautiful night that we couldn't stand being cooped up in the dining room. The stars are just magnificent," I answer with a genuine smile. I feel the Doctor's arm tighten around mine, and he maintains a straight, serious face.
"Yes, very romantic, eh? Are you two…?" Jack questions. A blush washes over my cheeks, and I yank my arm away from the Doctor.
"No! No. Never, ever would we be… She's my best friend!" I become defensive as the Doctor denies his allegations too. I am too worked up that I don't notice the Doctor's slightly hurt and surprised expression when I emphasize never and ever.
"Well, I think I owe you back to your father. I will see you tomorrow for the party, yeah?" He questions, turning to Ava. She grins from ear to ear.
"Of course. Bye, Jack!" Ava answers, a sweetness enveloping her tone. His lips graze hers in a gentle kiss, and he nods to the Doctor and me.
"Goodnight, sir. Goodnight, miss. Goodnight, Vi," he bids before taking off down the boat deck.
*Ava's Point of View*
As soon as Jack is out of sight the Doctor whips out his trusty sonic screwdriver. He waves the florescent blue light all over my body, searching for foreign alien readings.
"You're not going to find anything," I huff.
"There's something off about him. I can tell," he answers in an absentminded tone. The Doctor focuses in on his readings, and his face scrunches up in confusion.
"Well that's just not possible," he replies, shoving the screwdriver pack into his pocket.
"What?" Rose inquires.
"He's 100 percent human."
"Is it really so shocking that a guy may actually like me? Thanks for the self-esteem boost, dad," I respond my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I didn't mean it like that. Now shush I'm thinking. What could mascaraed as a human, and not be picked up by my sonic screwdriver? Think! Think! Think!" The Doctor hushes, banging his head with his hands.
"I know!" I exclaim.
"What?"
"Well let's see, perhaps a human," I mock.
"You know it would help if you would cooperate and shut it if you have nothing valuable to say," the Doctor snaps.
"Oh so now I don't have anything worthwhile-"
"Ch. Ch. Shut it. Now it could be…no. Or…no. Perhaps a Plasmavore, but what would they be doing on a 20th century ship? What would be special about their blood?" He rants, thinking out loud.
"What's a Plasmavore?" Rose questions.
"It's an alien that appears to be human, but sucks the blood of its victim. They are ruthless murderers," the Doctor explains.
"Kind of like vampires?" Rose suggests.
"No, vampires don't exist. They are like a hybrid of leeches and humans. Huh, a hybrid of leeches and humans. Heeches, Lumans, or Heechans."
"Well, that's disgusting," she mumbles. The Doctor continues to whisper inaudible things, raging on about the Plasmavores and other potential aliens.
"Ava, did he act strange at all? Refusing to drink regular liquids or refusing to eat any food," the Doctor urges. I move my fingers across my lips, signaling that I am unzipping my mouth.
"I was told not to speak," I point out with certain coldness to my voice. He rolls his eyes.
"Oh come on, Ava. Don't be daft and childish," he growls. I stay silent, not even acknowledging his insult. "I can always delve through your memories and thoughts about tonight. I can see everything you did. Snogging and all." I bite my lip, and my cheeks turn a deep pink.
"You wouldn't dare," I rebut.
"Try me." I ponder the options. I mean it's not like we did anything bad or forbidden, all we did was kiss a couple of times…well maybe more than a couple, but I don't want the Doctor to see that. It's just weird, kind of like the feeling you get when you're father begins to realize that you are not his little girl anymore and insists you talk about it with him. Not that I would know, but I've seen it and read about loads of times.
"No, it's none of your business," I counter.
"You two were snogging weren't you? And why did he call you, Vi?" The Doctor accuses. I blush even deeper.
"No, and it's his special nickname for me. I like it."
"Liar. What kind of a nickname is Vi? Sounds daft to me!"
"It's none of your damn business what I do and what people call me! Geez, can you just calm down? Nothing happened!" I respond. The Doctor opens his mouth to say something, but Rose beats him to it.
"Oi! Would both of you stop shoutin'! People are going to hear. Come on we can continue this argument in the TARDIS."
"Gladly," I sneer, and begin to stalk away from them.
"Don't think you're getting out of this one. We are going to sort this out when we get back, Avani Genevieve!" He calls from a few yards behind. I roll my eyes, and smirk. He only calls me Avani Genevieve when I'm in trouble, and there is only one thing I want to say to him. Lay off...
"I want you to stay away from him. There is something not right about him," the Doctor warns, fiddling with his sonic screwdriver.
"I'm not staying away from him. We have plans tomorrow," I admit.
"Well, you're schedule has been officially cleared. Besides you should be focusing on your studies. After all you are still a student." I groan.
"Why are you being so, ehhh? You used to be cool until you went all…psycho. Would you lay off?" I complain.
"I'm cool! Rose aren't I still cool?" The Doctor yells to her across the TARDIS.
"Yeah, very cool." I cross my arms.
"Well, I'm still going to the party with or without your approval," I conclude.
"Avani. You. Are. Not. Going."
"Yes, I am."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am."
"No, you're not."
"You have to stop treating me like a child! I can handle myself! For example, the virus! Hell, both of you would be dead if I didn't build that sonic heater!" I explain.
"Yeah that was brilliant, but what wasn't brilliant was your organs failing after you stupidly fused the wire into yourself. If I wasn't there you would have burned to death. So your support is invalid," he retorts.
"I was the only power source strong enough to work the-you know what it doesn't matter. Whatever, I don't care. Now if you don't mind I have to go pick out a ball gown for tomorrow evening," I hiss.
"Avani Genevieve, you are not going to that party. If you want to go you'll have to get through me first, and remember I'm the Doctor. The lonely god, the man without a home, the oncoming storm. Don't mess with me," the Doctor cautions.
"And I'm Avani Genevieve. The lonely goddess, the girl without a home, the lightning in the oncoming storm. I am everything you are. I am perfectly capable of everything you do," I whisper, leaning in close to his face.
"No you aren't. You can barely do anything without killing yourself in the process. You are a reckless child!" My anger boils over.
"I don't need your protection, Doctor. You're being ridiculous! Look at the readings of your sonic screwdriver they say he's 100 percent human, why can't you get it through your thick skull. Is it really that bad that a guy, a normal guy might actually like me?" I explode.
"Yes because you're not a normal girl. You can't fall in love with him. He'll die, but you'll keep on living. You'll always remain young, while he grows old and withers away. It wouldn't be fair to the either of you," he explains with an eerie calmness.
"Is that what his really is about? You can't stand the fact that I am falling in love with a human? What are their aliens out there that are much better than humans?" I inquire in an incredulous tone.
"No. No one can live as long as us. You can never be married or have kids with someone, and expect them to always be with you," the Doctor answers darkly.
"Doctor, I am going to get married and have kids with whomever I choose. We are the only two Time Lords left, so marrying a Time Lord is out of the question. I am not eight anymore. I am fifteen and deserve to be treated like an adult. You can't keep telling me what to do, what to say, and how to act. I am my own person. I am capable of saving the universe just like you. So stop, just stop trying to protect me," I stutter with rage. Before he can reply I storm off toward my room.
"Avani, come back. This isn't over!" He calls angrily.
"Yes it is, and if the oncoming storm has a problem with it than bring on the rain!" I snap.
