A/N: The next several chapters are going to be the start of some definite rated M material. I will be more specific in Notes at the beginning of said chapters when I post them.
"Two tickets to Rent tomorrow at seven!" Katari bounced around the TARDIS holding the tickets as if they were beacons of hope.
"If I had known tickets to a universe-famous play were all that were needed to make you happy I would've taken you to see it eons ago. We could see it on just about any planet…" The Doctor was studying a leather bound book entitled 101 Ways to Domesticate a Sonic Screwdriver.
"You mean Rent is known on other planets?"
"Oh, yes. Very popular on Raxacoricofallapatorius in particular. They have their own form of AIDs there, so they just tweak some of the terms."
"Wow, the themes really are universal…" Katari curled up in the captain's chair, grinning in awe at the tickets. Her eyes flicked back to the Doctor, "Why on Earth do you need to domesticate the sonic screwdriver?"
"Hmm?" The Doctor looked up from his page, "Oh, I thought maybe you could cook something with it… or something. Always helps to know extra ways of using things."
"For your information, I am an excellent cook!"
The Doctor snorted, "Sure, sure."
"I am! You just haven't asked me to make anything," she leapt up from the chair, "What would you like? Lasagna? Sheppard's Pie? A two layer chocolate cake?"
"Do we have any of that Chef Boyardee stuff?" The Doctor peered at her with interest.
"Seriously?" Katari glared at him. "I suggest a list of homemade goodness and you want Chef Boyardee!"
"It's not bad. I stocked up on some a couple of regenerations ago. I wonder if they're still good…"
Katari stormed off toward the kitchen, "They won't be good after I get through with them…" She muttered as she swept out from the console room.
The Doctor chuckled and turned a page in his book.
Outside the police box stood a man clad in dark, rumpled clothing. He was handsome, average height and build, a five o'clock shadow outlined his sharp features. Behind his handsome appeal gleaned dark eyes that held anger and fire. "How have they remained inside this British-style police box?" He fiddled with his keys as he swept quickly around the box, investigating for potential hidden doors. "Interesting..." He placed a small camera against a trash can a few feet from the doors. "Well, I suppose we'll just have to wait until you reappear once more…"
The Doctor sat back in his chair with a satisfied sigh. "I am afraid that I can no longer assist the Universe. I am too full."
"Not bad for someone who doesn't eat that often." Katari smirked at his plate, which had seemingly been licked clean.
"That doesn't mean that I don't like to eat."
"Well, noted. From now on lasagna will be on the menu monthly," Katari made to grab the dishes.
"Now, now, she who cooks does not clean." The Doctor stood and took her plate from her.
"Oh, I do like that rule." Katari relaxed in her chair. "Does this mean you don't want dessert?" She chuckled as she heard a deep groan from the kitchen. "I made tiramisu to go with the lasagna."
"I have two hearts, not two stomachs." The Doctor returned with a rag to wipe the table clean.
Katari shrugged, "Well I suppose we could save it for later."
"Whoa, I never said I didn't want it." The Doctor's surprised tone made Katari halt just outside the kitchen door.
"One day, I may actually understand you." Katari's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she shook her head.
The next morning Katari bounced into the console room shortly after eight o'clock.
"Bit early for you." The Doctor was sipping some tea and reading more about domesticating his sonic screwdriver.
"We're in New York! There's no time to waste!" She grabbed his book from him and tossed it on the console. "COME ON!" She pulled on his arm, urging him from the chair.
The two bounded out of the TARDIS unaware that their movements were being watched from across town.
"Katharina Ariel!"
"You know, one of these days you will understand what I mean when I say that only my mother calls me by my full name." Katari glared at the Doctor, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Well it's the only way to get your attention sometimes. Besides, both are wonderful Shakespearean names!" The Doctor smiled his trademark grin.
"Yes, I know they're Shakespearean. That's what happens when you're the bastard daughter of a writer who leaves her childhood home of England for the shores of America in hopes to distance herself from her daughter's father."
"You make it sound so romantic," the Doctor chuckled.
Katari shrugged, "If the truth is romantic, then so be it. Now come on, I've heard there's a wonderful Wiccan shop this way. I'm dying to see it."
Katari paused to look at street signs before turning to the right to weave through a group of men in suits waiting to cross the street.
"I need to pick up a few things here for my rituals. Do you want to tempt fate and come in with me, afraid you might start to believe in it, or would you rather explore elsewhere?"
"I think I'll go explore that hot dog cart over there. Perhaps they sell tea," the Doctor ignored Katari's snort, "Would you like anything?"
"Sure, gimme a hot dog with everything on it." With that she whirled around and in to the store.
The Doctor smiled as the sun caught the crown of her head and made the strands flash in shades of red and brown and honey. "It is nice having a companion who can never make up her mind about her hair color… always good for a change of pace. Now, to find a good cuppa tea in this city…"
From behind the Doctor, dark eyes flashed inward through the windows of the Wiccan shop, violently caressing Ka-tari's body and face, "Thought you could hide by changing your hair color? You haven't changed a bit. Still the stupid, weak girl that I knew. Tonight, you will realize that leaving me was the biggest mistake you ever made." As if feeling his presence Katari glanced up as he fled into an alley.
Katari paled. Was that…? No, no, it couldn't be. He got a job at the college. He was staying in Virginia…" She shook her thoughts aside and concentrated on what else she needed to buy. She muttered aloud to stay focused, "Some Dragon's Blood incense…check, and finally…a new assortment of candles. Maaaybe some sage sticks to protect the TARDIS…Goddess knows she could use it." Katari chuckled to herself, attempting to let go of the nagging feeling in the back of her mind.
