So, we're about half way through the series... ish. I felt it was time to thank a few of you; My top four reviewers! Of course, I'm thankful for each and every review I receive, but these four guys are probably my biggest... fans? Not the right word, but you get the idea :D
Allonsy-Doctor: Hello, series-rewriting rival! Thanks for all your great reviews, I think you've pretty much reviewed every single chapter! Much love, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Effie :D
RosalieHale1997: Blimey, you don't half love this, do you? :D Thank you for all your reviews and compliments, they're very touching :')
Prone To Obsession: Y'know, you're right. You are prone to obsession! ;) And I'm happy that I've written the first self-insert that you've enjoyed! Cheers for your brilliant reviews!
Allie Chick: Well, Alex thinks you're awesome too! Glad you like his character, and are enjoying my take on the episodes! Thanks you for reviewing :)
Meanwhile in the TARDIS 5
"Alex!" the Doctor called, throwing a lever almost artistically. "It's your birthday tomorrow, your choice. Where to?"
Before Alex could answer, Rory interrupted. "How do you know it's your birthday? You can't exactly keep track of the date in this thing."
Wordlessly, Alex took his watch off of his wrist and passed it to Rory. "See this?" he pointed to where the three would be on the face. "That's the date. I haven't changed it since the Doctor picked me up, which was around... November ish, few years back. Just have to keep track of the month and when that number resets. I can work out what the date is and, therefore, when it's my birthday." He grinned at Rory's look of bemusement. "So, this tells me that, in my linear time line, today is the 16th, and as far as I know, this month is May. My birthday's the 17th May. Sorted."
"And... what year is that?" Rory asked after a pause."
"2010."
"Ah, hold on, you picked me up on the 25th June 2010, so how's it on-"
The Doctor interrupted. "Rory, it's complicated, and timey-wimey and impossible to explain in brief, so be a good boy and forget it. Now, Alex, where are we going? Las Vegas in 2119? A space-walk over the Carina Nebula? The planet Kandor, home of the Ik-haals?" he finished with a cheeky grin. "Anywhere you want, any time you want."
"Home," Alex said simply. The Doctor frowned. "I want to go home. Just for a bit. You didn't give me a proper visit last time..."
The Doctor looked slightly annoyed. "But surely you want something more exciting than-"
"You did say anywhere," Amy interrupted him, smiling.
"But we went somewhere last year! Camelot! We went to Camelot, but now you want to go home?"
Rory perked up. "Wait. Camelot actually existed? Arthur and... and Lancelot and..."
"Not as you might expect it to Rory, no. Most legends have a basis of fact, but in the case of Camelot, it's a very small basis of fact," Alex smiled, before turning to look at the Doctor expectantly.
He grimaced, but eventually obliged. "Fine. Fine. Home. Don't understand why, but fine, your choice. Off we go," he grumbled as he pulled another lever. As he did so, the Time Rotor began to move up and down. "We'll be a few minutes."
Alex thanked him and took a seat on his favourite chair, leaning back on it and thinking. If he was truthful to himself, he didn't really feel in need of a visit home, and Las Vegas in 2119 did sound good. In fact, Alex had always wanted to visit Vegas. But he needed some time alone to relax, and to think. To think about what he was really doing with the Doctor...
He must have looked as deep in thought as he was. Amy sidled up to him and whispered "You okay?" to him.
Alex considered. He saw Rory climb the stairs and leave the control room, heading towards the bathroom. The Doctor was busy pumping with an instrument on the console. He stood up and silently nodded down a nearby staircase, indicating for Amy to follow him down there. She did so. They walked a few metres along the corridor before Alex stopped and turned to her.
"What is it?" she asked.
"What did the Dream Lord say to you? When you were alone with him?"
Amy hesitated and shook her head. "Not much," she shrugged.
"Did he ask why you think you're with him? The Doctor?" Alex ploughed on.
Amy shook her head again. "No. Just... stuff about Rory. Did he ask you?"
Alex decided to tell the full truth. He had to tell someone, and who else was there? "He asked me why I thought I'd been with the Doctor for so long. And he's right; it's coming up to four years. I was 23. I'm nearly 27 now, for Christ's sake!"
"So?" Amy smiled. "You and him connect. What's wrong with that?"
"Well, the way the Dream Lord spoke, his intonation, his... face. He implied there was a specific meaning. Not just that we "connect"."
"Alex, I think you're being a bit paranoid," Amy laughed.
Alex didn't. "That's not all. He said to me, he told me that there are lots of things he has to tell me, but he can't. Why can't he?"
"It doesn't matter! He's gone now, he wasn't real," she reasoned, as she began to lead him back to the console room. As they walked, a slight banging informed them that the TARDIS had landed.
"Don't you get it? The Dream Lord was the Doctor, and the Doctor is the Dream Lord. They're the same person," he pointed out as they turned the corner back to the room. The Doctor was reading something on the scanner. "So what's he keeping from me?" Alex finished, whispering.
Amy gave him a cynical look and waltzed back up to the console. Alex rolled his eyes and followed.
"Ah!" the Doctor said, noticing Alex had returned. "You're back! Good. Right. We're here."
"Brilliant," Alex smiled. "Thanks."
"I'm not dropping this though. When you're back, we're having a proper celebration. We can go anywhere, anywhen, anywhatever. That's the great thing about the TARDIS! You can visit Ancient Greece in the morning, have lunch on the fifth Moon of Sinda Callista, spend the afternoon-"
"Doctor," Alex interrupted, grinning. "I've been at this nearly four years. I know."
The Doctor frowned, and began to usher him towards the door. "Yes, fine, off you go. Go and have your boring birthday." Alex grinned and walked towards the door. "Oh!" the Doctor said. He stopped and rushed to the console. He threw a small box in Alex's direction. "Happy birthday," he grinned.
"Yeah, happy birthday," Amy said, rushing over to Alex and pulling him into a hug. "I didn't even know it was your birthday so..." she trailed off.
"Oh, forget it. Not like I was expecting anything," Alex laughed, pulling away from Amy. "Right, where's Rory?"
"Oh, never mind him," the Doctor said, waving away his protest. "He'll be here when you get back. Go on, get out,"
"Alright, alright!" Alex said, slumping his shoulders theatrically and opening the door.
"Hey, this was your choice," the Doctor reminded him. "You can still change your mind."
Alex shot one last smile at Amy, then stepped backwards the closed the door without a word. He threw himself back onto the sofa in his living room and watched as the TARDIS dematerialised in front of him. As soon as it had done, his face dropped. As much as he wanted to deny it, the Dream Lord was right. Alex had met the Doctor's friend Martha twice now. She'd lasted around a year, travelling with the Doctor. Jack Harkness met up with the Doctor occasionally. The Doctor had never mentioned any really long-term companions of his. So why was it Alex had spent more time with him than a lot of them put together? Even Donna, she hadn't even lasted a whole year...
