WHERE WE GO FROM HERE
They walked for a long time, hours. Phoenix still couldn't quite believe it, they were here. Together. She wondered how long it would last. She let him tell stories for a while, that always made him feel better and she liked to listen. Then she began her tale, starting with the vague memories she had of being Jane Smith. He hung onto her every word, never interrupting. Finally, she got to the part with Lady Time.
"Do you think she really was?" Phoenix asked.
"Really was what?"
"Time. Is Time really a lady with a body and everything? Time is all...funny. And strange. I wasn't sure if it was real except…"
"Except what?"
"Well, then she said Raj's thread was running out and I had to tie our threads back together to mend the tear. And when I did...I could see you. All of you, all your faces. And you were calling my name. My real name. So called to you and you heard me. At least I think you did." They kept walking. He seemed to be thinking hard.
"It does sound very...impossible."
"But did you hear me?"
"I suppose I've seen many impossible things," he mused, "Time is an odd thing, but that's just it. It's a thing, it's a complex idea and can't be rational. Time Lords know almost everything about Time, and nowhere in the archives that I can recall did anyone ever see Time as a person…"
"Time said it was silly for anyone to claim to be lord over her." The Doctor chuckled. "But you didn't answer my question, Papa. Did you hear me?"
He still said nothing. The silence answered for him. They continued on a ways before Phoenix tried another question.
"It's all gone, isn't it?" she asked."Gallifrey. You sent me away because you were going to destroy it all."
He knelt down to be at her level, "I did. But I made it right."
"What?"
"I found a way around it. A loophole. I always do."
Phoenix stared at him, "But then...why didn't you go back home?" It was a silly question. Papa never stayed anywhere for too long, but she had never known why. He'd made up excuses of course but they were all lies.
"I never really belonged on Gallifrey," he said slowly, "And there's nothing left for me there now. Of course I missed it terribly once it was gone. It's funny how that happens."
"So you won't go back with me?"
"No."
"Well, then I guess I won't go back either." She scuffed the ground with her shoe.
"Why not?"
"Because, like you said. There's nothing left for me there. Unless you managed to save Mama and the others when you fixed it," she looked at him hopefully. He shook his head. They'd died well before that day.
"Where will you go?" he asked, hand still resting on her shoulder.
"Here, there. Wherever the TARDIS takes me. I've already got some good practice at that."
"I hoped to show you the universe myself."
"That would have been nice. You should have a companion."
"Couldn't you come with me, just for a little while?"
She shook her head, then hugged him. He understood, she could tell. They made their way back to the TARDIS. Raj was patiently waiting in the control room, chatting with Sammy and Ashton. They all turned to look at the pair walking in. The TARDIS beeped happily.
"Are you all uh…" Ashton wasn't sure what to say exactly.
"Papa and I are going to see each other again. Soon."
"I want to thank you," he said to Ashton and Sammy, "For helping me."
"Thank you for helping us remember," Sammy replied.
"And you, young man," he turned to Raj, "Make sure she doesn't forget to eat. And ice cream does not count as a meal. Look after her."
"She is not needing me to look after her, sir," Raj smiled.
"I always need someone to look after me. And she's my daughter and so takes after me in many ways." He knelt down in front of Phoenix. "I will see you again soon? Do you promise?" She nodded. "Good. Run fast, because you'll need to. And always, always remember to be kind." He kissed her forehead, fluffed her hair and stepped back outside. The TARDIS closed her doors.
Phoenix smiled then practically leaped at Ashton and Sammy, hugging them tightly.
"I missed you!"
"Whoa! We missed you too," Ashton grinned.
"You already met Raj, that's good! Raj, these are the friends I told you about! Where shall we go first? Raj and I were on our way to Dunbar's moon where they have the giant moths but we kinda got off track."
"Uh...actually Phoenix, Sammy and I, we were sorta hoping you could take us home."
"What?"
"Well," Sammy said, "We're married now, and we have lives and we're so grateful to you because without you we would have never met or had all those adventures but now…"
"Oh," Phoenix looked rather put out, "Alright. I can take you home." She pushed several buttons and grabbed a lever. They landed back in London, in the middle of Trafalgar Square.
"You could come for a visit!" Sammy suggested.
"No, not today. I have a few things to take care of, like a check list. Very grown up. I'm feeling very grown up now for some reason. But I will come visit soon!" Sammy wrote down the address for her. Phoenix hugged them both and then watched them walk out through the crowd, hand in hand looking for the nearest tube station.
"What does 'soon' mean for a time traveler?" Raj asked her.
"Oh I suppose it means whenever our threads cross again," Phoenix sighed, not taking her eyes from them. Raj didn't know what she meant at all. "I have a few more people I think you should meet, Raj. Who knows, maybe they'll want to come with us!"
