Chapter Summary: The TARDIS team have been working hard to rebuild Teni. After a particularly long, hard day for both the Doctor and Scarlett, she surprises him.
The next two months seemed to go by rather quickly.
Donna continued to work with organizing the recovery and reconstruction tasks, triaging the most important. She spent most of her days in her new office with a group of four to five personnel assisting her with communications. They had to stay days ahead of the work, send reports over to Balen and Scarlett for approval, and then dole out the tasks to the appropriate departments and people.
Jack made himself busy working with local law enforcement, assisting with manual labor when needed, and generally doing anything to actually be in the field working. Days would go by when they wouldn't see him, then he'd show up at the TARDIS, shower, eat, update Donna on his work, she'd give him another list of tasks, and he'd be gone.
Jacob and the Doctor were enjoying their work, getting to use their technical prowess to really assist in getting the planet back up and running. They spent most of their work hours together, so much time that they typically required little to no communication, verbal or telepathic, to know what each other needed as they completed their tasks.
Thankfully, after a few weeks, Donna had convinced the two Time Lords to stop wearing their suits and find more suitable work clothes. Not straying too far from their normal colors of brown and blue, the Doctor wore either light or dark brown trousers and usually a white t-shirt. Of course, Jacob stuck with blue trousers, but tended to change the colour of his shirt. They both insisted on continuing to wear their sneakers.
Several evenings a week they would have dinner with Balen and Scarlett; usually Jack would show up for at least one of these meals. A few evenings Jacob and Donna would take their meal together, while the Doctor would spend time on the TARDIS, usually reading some book or the other. They tried to include him as much as possible, feeling guilty that he wasn't able to spend as much time with Scarlett as they knew he would like. Typically he would wave them off, insisting they go off on their own. He would have breakfast with them before starting out their days, although it didn't surprise Donna that many mornings she would wake up to find that the Doctor and Jacob were already gone from the TARDIS. Despite her new Time Lord biology, she still loved sleep more than any of the rest of them.
Scarlett spent most of her days in meetings, sometimes with dignitaries from closely-allied planets, sometimes with the Elders, sometimes it was just her and Balen. She was doing everything in her power to make the transition of power as smooth as possible. Her favorite times, though, were going out into the city and towns to actually be with her people. She tried as much as possible to 'get her own hands dirty' as Jack had said, helping with a few projects as time allowed. Balen had tried to sneak in a few visits for her to the work sites that the Doctor was working on. The Time Lord would walk with her through the work site, explaining whatever project they were working on, and their progress. Most of their visits included lots of shared glances, and an occasional telepathic conversation.
About a month into the reconstruction efforts, the Doctor had just gotten back to the Citadel after a long day of work. He had sent Jacob ahead earlier while he finished up the last of the work on a particularly difficult repair on a power grid. It had been a tough day and it showed. His hair was more askew than normal, his hands, face, and clothing were dirty. He was ready for a shower and prepared to turn the hot water up as high as was bearable to soothe his sore muscles. He even planned on going straight to bed after a quiet dinner in the TARDIS kitchen.
He walked up to the blue box and just as he reached out to push the door open, he heard a rustling sound nearby. He turned, a frown on his face and his eyebrows furrowed, as he glanced around. He saw a hooded figure sitting by the fountain in the center of the garden, and his face softened as he thought he recognized it. He turned his back to the TARDIS just as the figure stood and came closer, lifting their hands to pull the hood back.
"Doctor," Scarlett pronounced, gently and quietly as she glanced around. "I've been waiting for you to return."
The Doctor's breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. Her hair had grown quickly since they had returned. It was common that Time Lords, and Teni, had some control over the speed of their hair growth. He was happy that she was allowing hers to grow – she was beautiful with short hair, but she was stunning with it longer. Her brown hair now fell just below her shoulders and had a natural wave to it that would have never been noticed when it was short. Her pale blue-grey eyes seemed to stand out even more against the dark brown hair that fell around her face. "I'm sorry if I kept you waiting long."
"No. Jacob and Donna told me about your day when we met in Donna's office earlier this evening." She opened her hand towards the fountain. "I thought we could have a late meal together—I'm sorry if I've disturbed your plans."
"No, it's wonderful. I just—" He looked down at himself. "—I'm a mess. I was going to clean up before I ate."
She grinned and reached a hand up, rubbing a dirt smudge from his face. "I won't tell if you don't."
He gasped involuntarily at her touch, his eyes closed, and he leaned into her hand, too distracted to respond to her comment. It had been so long since the last time he had felt it, he had been so busy, he didn't realize how much he had missed it.
Her hand lingered a moment, before it dropped again, and his eyes reopened. He swallowed hard as he looked into her eyes, it took a moment to regain his composure and speak. "I've been leading a team of repair people all week—one touch from you and I turn into a puddle of goo, how does that work again?"
Her face broke into a grin and she answered playfully, "Just lucky, I guess."
A smile quirked the corner of his mouth and one eyebrow raised. "Lucky for you, or lucky for me?"
"Hmm, both, maybe?" She then motioned again towards bench at the edge of the fountain. "Come, let's sit."
He followed her to the bench and saw a cloth had been laid out on the bench with a basket sitting in the middle. He allowed her to sit first on one side, then sat on the other, tucking one leg up under the other and sitting sideways so he could face her. He watched her as she began to pull out various wrapped items from the basket, setting them carefully on the blanket. She then moved the basket to the ground, giving them more room to arrange the food on the blanket, and pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses. She handed him the bottle and he worked at using the opener to remove the cork and poured their drinks while she finished unwrapping and arranging the food.
They ate in silence for a while, just enjoying the quiet and the company, before the Doctor decided to ask her a question. "How did you sneak away and pull this together?" He motioned his hand over the spread of food on the blanket before he grabbed the small loaf of bread and pulled off another piece, popping it in his mouth.
"I've been in video conferences all day. Dealing with representatives from some neutral worlds. They don't want to be called allies, but most assuredly don't want to be enemies. Spent all day reassuring them that nothing significant will change about our relationships because of the change of power. After a particularly long and tedious conversation this evening, Balen said I looked as if I needed a break—" She paused and chuckled. "—before I 'lost my charm,' I believe were his words."
The Doctor joined her laughter before flashing her a smile. "You don't seem any less charming to me."
"Yes, well, you are significantly better company than dignitaries from Raxacoricofallapatorius," she stated matter-of-factly.
The Doctor frowned for a moment. "I certainly hope so." He thought for a moment. "Hope you didn't mention I was here. The Slitheen don't like me very much."
Scarlett nodded as she finished another bite of food, then changed the subject. "So, you had a rough day?
He nodded as well, and surveyed the empty containers and wrappings before them and began cleaning up. "Yes, we've been working all week on a power grid. Kept overloading. We finally got it worked out today. Feels good to have that one done and be able to move on."
She stopped his hand as it moved to pick up another piece of trash, resting her own hand on top his. He stopped and looked back towards her and mirrored the sweet smile he saw on her face. "Thank you so much for all you're doing for my people, Doctor."
"Of course," he quietly responded as he adjusted his hand so that he could hold onto hers. They sat looking into each other's eyes for several moments before a beeping started from the wrist of her hand that held the Doctors. He looked down to their hands and one of his eyebrows raised. "Please tell me they haven't put a proximity alarm on you."
She chuckled, then it turned into a full laugh at the look on his face. She squeezed his hand one last time. "No, Doctor. It's just a reminder that I need to be going soon." She chuckled again as he frowned at the device on her wrist. "It's just a hi-tech watch. I have it programmed to help me keep track of my schedule when my assistant isn't around."
He was still frowning. "And what do you have to do now?"
"Sleep, Doctor. I have to sleep. It's been a very long day on top of a very long week, on top of a very long month. I haven't been getting enough rest and it's catching up to me," she explained.
His frown turned into a look of concern. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. Being a Time Lady now has its advantages. But even we need to sleep right? What about you?"
He nodded and sighed. "The same. It's time for a good sleep cycle." They finished cleaning up and once done, they stood and she folded the blanket into the basket, then picked it up. Seeing the end of their time together, he quickly interrupted her movement with his voice. "Quick stroll before you go?"
She smiled gently to him, setting the basket down on the bench. "I'm so sorry, Doctor. You've been so patient, I—"
"Oh, no bother." The Doctor waved off her apology, having determined she was going to refuse him. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll just go on then, get my shower,—"
"A stroll sounds nice, Doctor," She answered over top the rest of his response.
"—head to bed. Oh." A grin came across his face. "Really?"
She grinned back. "Yes, really."
"Oh. Well then." He leaned over and took her hand in his, the smile remained on his face and seemed to carry up into his eyes.
"Ah, there's the twinkle." She smiled as she looked into his eyes.
"What?" he questioned.
"The twinkle—in your eye. When you came in tonight it wasn't there. But there it is."
He found he couldn't fight off the blush that rose up his neck and into his cheeks. He pulled her along and they began walking. "Well—you've always had that effect on me. From the beginning."
She grinned and looked him over. "Hmm, I'd have to say you've gone down hill, Doctor." She continued to smile, enjoying a bit of fun with him. "You've gone from a tuxedo and bow tie to dingy work clothes."
"Oi!" he responded in mock anger, feigning an injury to his dignity. "You're the one who didn't let me clean up before dinner."
They laughed together for a moment, both feeling the stress of their day wash away in the enjoyment of their shared company.
"I never liked that tuxedo anyway." Scarlett smiled. As they walked, holding hands, she stepped closer to him, still holding hands, she crossed her other hand over to hold his arm at the crook of his elbow.
"Oh, what do you prefer?" The Doctor was smiling as they walked, casually looking at the foliage around them. It had gotten darker, with only moonlight and a few small artificial lamps spread around the garden path providing light. He was directing their steps, unsure if she realized where they were headed.
"Definitely the brown." She winked up at him.
They walked in happy silence a while longer then, before he stopped moving and turned them towards a specific spot. "Here we are then."
"Oh, you've brought us back to my spot—well our spot really, I suppose. The Gallifreyan plant-" She was rambling a bit, surprised at herself that she had been so distracted by his company that she hadn't paid attention to where they were going.
The Doctor was feeling bold. Their feelings for each other had been made clear by each other, and in this very spot, a month prior, she had given him a kiss as a promise that left him a bit in shock. And after a month of little contact outside a professional capacity, he felt determined now to be proactive. He turned towards her, taking her other hand into his. "Yes, well, the last time we were here, you caught me a bit by surprise." The corner of his mouth quirked into a grin. He reached up and pushed a strand of hair from out of her face and moved closer. "I only thought I could perhaps finally return the gesture." He leaned in, removing what was left of the distance between them, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. There was little movement from either of them, other than his hand moving to her cheek, and hers to his shoulder. When they broke the kiss, they stayed close, only inches apart.
He smiled again, resting his forehead against hers, and whispered, "That was better. No interruption and I'm not left looking like a fish out of water at the end." She returned his smile and he continued speaking, "The last time, you left me with a promise. Let me leave you with mine. I've traveled to countless worlds, done lots of running – to things, and from things — I want to be sure you know, I'm not unhappy here, I'm glad to help you and your people. It's nice to finally be getting my hands dirty, working, being a part of a place and of something. I want you to remember that I'm here by choice, and I'm happy to wait for you."
She stayed quiet, moving her head slightly away so she could tilt her head up to look into his eyes. He decided to continue their conversation mentally, finding comfort in the shared connection. He could speak telepathically with his other companions, but there was something special, something warm, when he and Scarlett were linked. Can I ask you a question? If you aren't ready to answer it, just tell me. She nodded in response so he continued. It's just that I haven't officially asked, and I don't want to presume. He paused a moment. When we're all done here, when Balen takes over, will you travel with me, with us, in the TARDIS?
She stayed quiet a moment, but he saw no negative reaction present, so the Doctor waited patiently for her response. Suddenly she moved forward again and placed another quick kiss on his lips. She moved back again, her eyes staring back into his, her smile wide.
The Doctor's left eyebrow popped up. Um, is that a yes then?
Oh yes, Doctor. Most definitely, yes. She continued to smile up at him and he burst out in happy laughter as he wrapped his arms around her, picking her up off the ground and spinning her around.
They made their way back to the TARDIS, the Doctor's cheeky grin having not left his face since she had given her answer. She squeezed his hand one last time and let go. "Good night, Doctor."
"A good night, indeed." He watched as she turned and walked away, heading to the closest exit. After she stepped out, he turned and opened the TARDIS door. How was he going to sleep? Maybe that hot shower he still needed would help his mind calm down. And he couldn't wait to tell Jacob and Donna the news.