Happy New Year, everybody!
Sorry I forgot to wish you all a good New Year's Eve during the last update. I actually forgot it was New Year's Day until I got to work and all my co-workers were talking about it. Don't really celebrate New Year's Day myself so I tend to forget about it. Oops, my bad. So, I hope everyone's night of celebrations went well if you did go out and have fun for the New Year's Day. Or if you're like me and just stay home reading or something, then I still hope it was a good night. ;) And I also hope that everyone's new year will be just as amazing as you all are! :D
And as a New Year treat, here's a new update for everyone to enjoy!
XxXxXxXx
Chapter 36: The Fob Watches
Alice sat in her bed, already within her night gown for sleeping. Settled in for the night, now she simply delayed sleep in fears for being overcome with nightmares again. Something of which has become sort of a routine for her. The main reason why she never had much sleep in the first place was because of these constant visions she had been having over the past two months. Oh, how she dearly wished to discuss this with someone. To relieve some of this torment, and perhaps gain some comfort. But she knew it might make Martha, Joan, or even John, wary of her if she dared tell them of such visions. Best let things be as they were, and stay the supportive friend for each of them.
Alice leaned against the window beside her bed, gazing longingly at the stars. She never understood why, but she always held this strange fascination with the twinkling lights of the night sky. It boggled her mind when she never held any such desire to ever leave her quaint life that she held. She loved the simple and ordinary existence she had. Nothing more had ever called to her. No grand scale of any sorts. Yet she still finds herself gazing to those stars . . . wondering what majesty they might hold, wishing to dance amongst.
She stiffened as she saw a green light shine far off in the night sky. It was quick and very brief. She might have thought her eyes were playing tricks on her if she did not know better. Then another green light followed shortly after the first, leaving a trail behind it as it fizzled out in the sky. This time resembling much like a meteor falling through the sky. Alice sat stiff on her bed, gazing anxiously out as the sky grew dark once more.
They were the same signs from her nightmares. Always the same. A green light, followed by a wicked family who could take a person's body for their own. This family would lay waste, killing off many. All of it ending with John, Joan, and Martha dying. Her friends, perishing to the wicked family's cruel nature as Alice was forced to watch, unable to do anything to stop her friends' deaths. She would often wake up with startled cries from these visions. Crying in the morning and trying to wipe them from her memory before Martha would come and bring her breakfast.
Alice looked over to her dresser with the fob watch. The silver watch lay there, quietly, with only a tone of mystery echoing from it. Standing up from the bed, she swiftly walked over and picked up the watch. She held it tightly in her hands, gripping it to hear the voice within.
Not yet.
"But when? When will it be time?" Alice asked the watch. Always hoping she would receive an answer when she spoke to the inanimate object.
Not yet.
Alice sighed in frustration. She set the useless thing back upon the dresser, going back to her bed. It was always the same with the watch. Always giving those two words, never saying anything more. She had always wondered where she had gotten the watch. From what she could recall, it had simply appeared into her life one day. Just sitting there, waiting to be opened. She knew it could be opened, but at the same time, knew she must never open it. At least, not until a certain point in time. Just as she always knew these things.
She never understood how things seemed to just jump into her head and tell her brief warnings to when danger was to come. It had happened for as long as she could remember. These visions constantly came in handy during many occasions. Even around the school itself. There had been one or two times when a boy was about to be hurt or something bad would happen in the village. She would always be there, helping out the people and stopping the situations from becoming any worse than from what she had seen in advance.
In many of the same sense, it was similar to how she knew what John felt and of his dreams . . . they were not as impossible as they seemed. Just as she felt as if . . . she were not meant to be her. She was meant to be someone else. As though she still was that someone else, and the names and memories had simply been switched. And she was merely waiting now until the name and memories came back to her, until the day came when she would become that someone else. But would she still be her? Or would she disappear to the world as if she never existed in the first?
Alice simply shook her head slightly, sighing heavily. She was being silly in pondering on such inexplicable thoughts. Perhaps the answers to her strange thoughts and nightmares would come to her one day. But for now, she only hoped the green light she saw really had been nothing more than a meteor. She hoped that, just this once, her visions were wrong.
XxXxXxXx
It was early morning as Martha rode her bike out to a small and distant barn from the school and village. She stopped her bike just outside the old abandoned building, parking it and going into the barn. Gazing carefully at the quiet and empty woods around the building, she made sure no one was around as she closed the door behind her. Looking into the back of the dark building, she smiled as she saw the TARDIS. The ship was parked, remaining the same spot as where they had arrived two months ago. The old girl was heard humming quietly, and radiated a gentle comfort around Martha as the girl pulled out her key from around her neck. She smiled at the ship as she unlocked the doors and stepped inside.
"Hello," she spoke warmly to the ship as she closed the doors behind her. She heard a hum in reply, smiling brightly that the ship had responded back. She was glad Wanda had made sure Martha realized the ship was alive in the beginning of their travels. Or else she might feel rather alone through the struggles she went through during the two months of hiding.
Martha walked up, patting the console the same way she had seen both Time Lords do on many occasions. She knew the ship must really appreciate that. Especially since TARDIS had been so alone in the old barn for so long. As Martha gazed sadly at the time rotor, she began to recall what had brought her and the Time Lords to this point.
Martha and the Doctor ran away from a vicious group of hunters. Blasts from the energy weapons hitting around them, trying to kill them both. A white flash of light appeared far ahead of the two. The Doctor sped up, grabbing ahold of the hand of Wanda as she appeared from the white light, dragging her off at a sprint as they continued to run to the TARDIS. Wanda easily followed along; not even questioning what was happening or why they were running. She simply followed what the Doctor instructed her to do.
They all rushed into the TARDIS. Ducking as the blasts continued at them, some even hitting inside of the ship. The doors quickly closed behind them.
"Did they see you?" the Doctor asked Martha and Wanda quickly, urgently.
"No, they didn't see us," Wanda answered, helping the companion up from the ground. The Doctor nodded, running over to the console to send them off. The ship rocked as it flew through the Vortex. But the alarms of the ship began to sound off. The Doctor grabbed the scanner, seeing that the enemies they were running from were still after them.
"Ahh! They're following us," the Doctor cried out in anger.
"How can they do that? You've got a time machine," Martha stated, looking confused as to how aliens with simple technology compared to the Time Lord's could possible follow them.
"Stolen technology," the Doctor answered her curtly. "They got a time agent's vortex manipulator. They can follow us wherever we go, right across the universe. They're never going to stop." He rubbed his hand through his hair in dismay. At a loss of what to do.
Actually . . . he knew what he might have to do, but . . . it was something he never wished to do. At least, not anymore. He had been half tempted to use it in the past, but things have changed. His life has changed because he had someone now that gave him a reason never to use it, a reason to live on as a Time Lord. But it might be the only way now. Something to which . . . he would have to make Wanda do as well. The Family had his scent, a Time Lord's scent. So they could smell Wanda just as much as they could smell him. They would have to do it together. Unless . . .
"Wanda, is there any way out of this?" the Doctor asked her quickly. He hurriedly went up to her, grabbing her arms in an urgent manner. "You know what I'm thinking, but can you tell me of another way? There has to be something else than . . . that."
Wanda stared at him for a moment before closing her eyes and concentrating. Both he and Martha held their breath as to what the Time Lady's answer would be. She finally sighed heavily, opening her eyes with a sorrowful expression.
"I'm sorry, but it's the only way," she whispered. A few tears leaked out of her eyes. "I'm so, so sorry." She began to cry. The Doctor hastily pulled her into a hug, holding her close.
"Hey, it's going to be okay," he whispered. He kissed her head, wishing he did not have to put her through this. It . . . was going to be agonizing for them both. He let go of her, turning to their companion. "Martha, you trust us, don't you?"
"Of course I do," Martha answered immediately without hesitation.
"'Cause it all depends on you," the Doctor told her, quickly reaching underneath the TARDIS console to grab what he needed.
"What does?" Martha asked as she watched the Doctor search around. "What am I supposed to do?" He popped up from the console, holding up two old metal fob watches.
"Take these watches 'cause both of our lives depends on them," the Doctor instructed the companion. "Martha, each of these watches is me and Wanda. Me," he indicated to one watch in his left hand, "and Wanda." He indicated to the one in his right.
"Right, okay, gotcha," Martha said quickly. She slowly nodded, then shook her head. "No, hold on. Completely lost." The Doctor rushed around the console, beginning to set up the process that was needed.
"Those creatures are hunters," he began to explain rapidly. "They can sniff out anyone. And me and Wanda a Time Lord, well, we're unique. They can track us down across the whole of time and space."
Martha gave a weak laugh in dismay, eyes wide in fright to this news. "And the good news is?"
The Doctor continued to move about the console, flipping switches, twisting knobs, and hitting certain buttons. "They can smell us, but they haven't seen us. And their life-spans are running out, so we hide, wait for them to die."
"But they can track us down."
"That's why we've got to do it." He stared gravely at both Martha and Wanda. The companion gazing back completely lost while Wanda looked at him sorrowfully. "We have to stop being Time Lords. We're going to become human." He walked over to Wanda, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I would never want you to go through this. I know how you were . . . human. I hate making you have to change back once again."
"It's fine," Wanda replied, holding onto the hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I was human once. I can be human again."
"I can try to think of another way for you," the Doctor suggested, holding a grave expression as he stare at her. "Maybe send you off somewhere else. They might not have your scent specifically. You might be able to hide without changing."
"No. Where you go, I follow," Wanda told him firmly. "I'm not having you go through something like this alone." After brief hesitation, she leaned forward and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her as she did the same to him. They held each other close, neither one wishing to let go as they both knew things might go terribly wrong. They might not ever be able to be together like this. Forever torn apart.
They heard the chameleon arch gear drop down. Ready for use. They let go with lingering lips. Both gazed with saddened eyes. The Doctor asked Martha to go get them a change of clothes from the TARDIS wardrobe. Ones that would match the time period the ship was sending them to. The companion ran down the corridor, doing as the Doctor asked. He quickly made a video on the scanner for Martha in case the girl had questions later. He ended it when the companion came back into the control room with their new clothes in hand.
"There's only one," the Doctor spoke quietly to Wanda. "We're going to have to go one at a time."
"You go first," Wanda whispered brokenly, dearly wishing not to make him do such a thing. "I don't want you to have to witness me being in pain." She knew that he had already been through enough of that. Both in the past and future. She would rather not see him in agony either, but . . . it tore at his hearts so much to see her that way. This time, she would be the one in his stead, for she knew the pain of watching one's loved one in agony was far worse than actually being physically hurt.
The Doctor nodded, never wishing for Wanda to have to witness him going through something such as this. But . . . truthfully he thought he might just break down if he were to see her ever go through such agony. He reached forward, giving her another kiss. He cupped the side of her face, stroking her cheek gently as they both stare at each other in an uncertain manner.
"I promise, no matter what, no matter who I become, I will always love you and be there for you," he told her gently. Wanda smiled softly and lovingly, holding onto the hand on her cheek and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"And I promise I'll do the same. No matter what," she whispered.
They gave each other one last lingering kiss before the Doctor went over to the chameleon arch. He grabbed the headset, placing his watch onto the device, explaining briefly to Martha that it would rewrite every cell in each of their bodies, and how the TARDIS would give him and Wanda a life story to live by while in hiding. He placed the device on his head, strapping it into place. With one last fleeting glance at Wanda, the process began.
A scream of agony ripped through his mouth before he could even bother to try to subdue the reaction. His whole body convulsed as the machine rewrote every single cell within his body. Changing all of his organs, his bones, his mind. His very essence. His hands clutched onto the headset in a vice grip, unable to let go as he continued to scream in torment, suffering through the effects of the machine. Through the process Wanda felt the same pain going through her hearts. They were in anguish as she watched her Theta go through something so horrible. She could not stop crying for him.
Finally, it stopped. The Doctor's body fell to the ground, dropping like a rock. The headset still attached around him as he lay on the grated floor. Both Martha and Wanda quickly went to him, getting the device off and laying him down carefully next to the console. Wanda bent down, gently kissing his forehead. She stroked his face, wishing the best for John Smith. She then stood up, going over to the device to take out the Doctor's watch. Handing it to Martha, the girl gave her the other watch. Wanda placed it on the device, setting it up for her use.
"Martha, I'm very sorry, but things aren't going to go well," Wanda said, giving the girl a sympathetic look. "I don't know everything that is going to happen since it involves my own timeline. But I do know from the show what is to come. None of it is going to be pretty."
"Is there anything I can do to stop it?" Martha asked, swallowing heavily in unease.
"No. I'm afraid not," Wanda replied gravely. She began to strap on the headset, preparing to be rewritten. "Just know when you see the green light it's not a meteor. It is the Family. Things will only start falling apart from there."
"Is there anything else I should know?" Martha questioned, staring at Wanda in concern. She had already witnessed the horrible sight of the Doctor being in pain. She really did not wish to see Wanda go through the same thing.
Wanda paused in setting up the chameleon arch, staring sadly at John lying on the TARDIS floor. "Yes . . . be good to John. He will be needing as many friends as he can get."
Martha blinked, confused on who Wanda meant. "Who's John?"
"He is." Wanda nodded at the man. "He is no longer the Doctor. He is now John Smith. Very human and very much his own person."
Martha stared at the Doctor's body for a moment, then looked back to Wanda. "Then . . . who are you going to become? Who are you going to be?"
Wanda paused, pondering over Martha's words. "I don't know. I could become anyone. Become someone completely different from myself, or stay exactly the same. There's no telling who I'll be."
The companion's eyes wavered in dread as she stared at Wanda. "Doesn't that scare you? Becoming someone else?"
"Yes." Wanda looked to the girl, smiling kindly and reassuring at her. "It terrifies me. But at the same time, it's just another awaiting adventure to travel through and experience." She sucked in a deep breath as the device powered up. "Good luck, Martha." With that said, her own screaming began.
Martha sighed, bringing herself out of her sad memories. She wished there was more she could do for them both. Things seemed to not be going as planned. Just as Wanda had warned. The Time Lady was right once again. Never was she wrong about the future.
Martha went over to the scanner, starting up the video the Doctor had made. She had already watched it a hundred times. But it always cheered her up to see the Doctor as his normal self. Even if it was a simple recording. She fast forward to the end, seeing if there might be any clue of what she should do. She had seen the green light, but she really hoped it was a meteor and not the Family. She really hoped that, just this once, Wanda had gotten it wrong. The video ended the same with the Doctor explaining for her to open both Time Lords' watches if anything went wrong, or if the Family found them. No clues as to what Martha should do.
She only kept the hopes that everything would be different. That Wanda's forewarnings would not come true. The Doctor always said how things could be different and rewritten from what the Time Lady saw. Maybe this might just be one of those times. Martha could only cross her fingers and pray.
XxXxXxXx
Alice heard rather quick and sharp taps on her office. She lifted her head up from the book she had been reading, trying to study over the foundations of astronomy. It had been a curious subject to say the least. Hardly something she seemed able to wrap her head around. That and anything to do with machinery. She barely knew on to operation a typewriter as it was. Then the talk of electricity coming through for their use seemed quite bizarre to her. She really hoped a typewriter would be the only mechanical device she would ever come across.
"Yes, come in," she called out to the person knocking. Sitting the book down, she gazed curiously at a startled looking Tim who walked into her office. The boy appeared to be highly nervous and at unease. As if he had just witnessed something terrible. Alice immediately felt worried and concerned for her student. "Tim? Is there a problem?"
"I . . . I'm not sure, ma'am," Tim said, shifting anxiously on his feet. He seemed to be wondering why exactly he came up to her office. "I just . . . you were the first one I thought to come to."
"Well, I'm rather touched that you thought of me for solving a problem," Alice replied, giving the boy a kind smile. "Why don't you sit down and explain to me what's on your mind?" She pulled out a chair from the table she was currently sitting at. She patted it as an invitation for Tim to sit. The boy hesitated for a moment before walking over and taking the offered seat.
"Miss Rivers . . . do you believe in the possibility of someone . . . being able to know things before they happen?" he asked her hesitantly, almost seeming to be afraid to ask such a question to an adult. Alice stiffened considerably. Her eyes went slightly wide as Tim stared at her nervously.
"Yes . . . yes, I do believe in the possibility," she replied quietly. "There are many possibilities of one with such gifts."
Tim relaxed somewhat, feeling at ease that Alice might just be someone he could discuss this with. "I . . . I guess things . . . before they happen. Just small things. Mostly they're only things like surprise news or the weather. But . . . I found this watch." He pulled out a fob watch from his pocket. The very same as to what Alice had upon her dresser. He handed it to her, letting her see it for herself.
"Where did you get this?" Alice gazed to the watch with fascination. Wondering who could possibly own the same watch as her. Could it be connected to her own strange watch? Could the owner tell her why she had one, where it came from, and if they heard a voice coming out of their own as well?
"Don't get angry, but . . . it's Mr. Smith's. I took it from his room."
Alice tensed, feeling breathless to the discovery of John having a watch of his own. Were they connected somehow? Did it have something to do with their strange dreams? His wondrous visions of adventures and her terrible ones of death?
"You took this from Mr. Smith?" she asked carefully.
"I swear I only took it because . . . it spoke to me. It made me see more than I've usually been able to see," Tim told her, ready to for the teacher to yell at him and call him insane. But she simply nodded as if understanding.
"Yes. . . it's speaking to me, too," she spoke quietly. She had been hearing the whispers the moment he handed her the watch. Very quiet and faint whisperings. A voice . . . sounding very close to John's. Just as hers always seemed similar to her own voice. But always with a hint of being different, with a slightly off tone or way of speaking.
"You hear it?" Tim asked in amazement.
"Yes," she replied, thumbing the watch. She stared up quickly at Tim, looking hopeful. "Have you opened it?"
"Yes. It . . . showed me the most terrible things." Staring at the watch warily, Tim leaned back as if frightened to see what was inside again.
Alice frowned, wondering what the boy could possibly mean. She looked down at the watch in hand, wondering if she should dare to open it. Hers had always been off limits. Would the same apply to John's? Pushing the latch button, the watch popped open in her hands. A golden light flew out of it and into her face. Her gray eyes widened as flashes of images went through her mind. Images of so many different creatures, villainess beings, far advanced machinery, and knowledge to which she could barely comprehend. Then the main vision of them all: John. Only . . . she knew it was not John she was seeing. It was someone else entirely. The very someone to which John had been dreaming of. The Doctor.
A very powerful and frightening man. But at the same time, mystical and magnificent. He held such majesty and might. He could stare her down with a simply piercing gaze of his old eyes. Fire seemed to brim around the man through every image of him which passed through her mind. A fire to which Alice was not sure whether she wished to be a part of, or to run away in fear.
Wanderer.
Alice snapped the watch shut as soon as she heard the Doctor of the watch say that name. She felt her heart racing and her breath leave her. It was the same name of the 'character' John had said he invented. It was also the same name to which sparked a familiar recognition within her. It was a name which had always held a deep meaning in her heart. Though, she never understood why.
"Did you see anything?" Tim questioned, looking at her in concern in the way she shook slightly.
"Yes," Alice answered, holding the watch tightly. "Many things. Though . . . I wouldn't call them all terrible." She held the watch up, staring at it in thought. Glancing at her own fob watch, she stood up from the table, going over to grab the watch from her dresser. She then sat back down next to Tim with the quiet watch in hand. "Tell me, can you hear anything from this watch?" She handed hers to Tim, hoping he might be able to hear more than she could.
"I don't . . . ," Tim trailed off as he gazed at the watch. He could hear a faint whispering from it. Though not as strong as the other watch. "It only says 'not yet.' What does that mean?" Tim shifted his eyes back to Alice, seeming curious as to what this watch could possibly mean.
"I'm not sure. But I have a feeling the same words apply to this watch." Alice switched watches with him, handing him John's and taking back her own. "I think it means that neither watches should be opened yet. At least . . . not until they're ready."
"What do you mean?"
Alice placed a firm hand on the boy's shoulder, staring steadily into his eyes. "You're not the only one who knows things before they happen. I have a very similar ability. And I've been seeing things to come as of late. Horrible things." She held up her watch. "These watches are a key to these . . . events. Whatever is to come, I believe they will help put an end to the terrible comings."
Tim felt uneasy by her words. He glanced down to the watch in his hands. "Do . . . do you want me to give this back to Mr. Smith?"
"No. I want you to keep it. I think you're meant to have it. I think you're supposed to keep it safe until it's needed." She folded his hands around the watch. "Keep watch over this, Tim. It may just save all of our lives. And don't tell anyone about what we've discussed. It would not bode well for either of us."
"Yes, ma'am." Tim stood up, glad to have someone else who understood him. Someone else who could see what he saw and shared something with him. He never had a close friend before who would listen to what he had to say and actually did not tease him for his gifts. He stopped to look back at Alice just before exiting the room. "When do I know, though? To open the watch, I mean. When will I know the time it is meant to be opened?"
Alice shook her head slightly, growing a grave expression. "I don't think it matters if you or I open it. I think it matters whether or not he opens it."
Tim blinked, not sure what she meant. "Who?"
Alice's eyes shifted to gaze outside her window, eyes wavering as she stared distantly to nothing. She felt a strange wave of sadness cross over her as she knew who exactly must open the watch. And possibly, knew that something dreadful would happen to him if he ever did. " . . . John."
XxXxXxXx
Alice strolled through the small village down from the school. She decided, after she had finished teaching her students for the day, to get some fresh air. A change of view might help her think properly upon what to do with the troubling visions and the new knowledge over the fob watches.
She never realized the John had a similar watch as hers. If she had, she might have asked him about it. Discussed whether or not he remembered where he had gotten the watch, and if he held similar feelings with the small clockwork device. Did he hear a calling voice of mystery as well? Most likely not. He would have discussed it with her if he had. Or . . . maybe he would not. He might have been discussing it with Joan instead. That was the more likely possibility. Besides that, if Alice had ever mentioned her wonders of the watches with him, she was sure he would call her mad and have her kicked out of the school. Never wishing to be friends with her ever again. Losing his friendship . . . it would break her heart.
Alice walked along in her ponderings and troubled, muddled mind. Coming around a corner of a shop, she spotted John and Joan strolling about within the village as well. Both had come to a stop in the village square, seeming to be in a deep discussion about something. Alice came to a stop herself and stared at the man, wondering what could possibly go through his head whenever he became distant or lost within his mind. Did he hold similar abilities as hers? Did he see things to come as well? Or was he head merely filled with the wonders of adventures and nothing a dreadful as what ran through her own mind. She sighed, feeling as though a heavy burden was place upon her. It weighed her down like a stone within her gut. A feeling she could never quite get rid of.
A few men were sounding off to her left, both heard grunting and struggling to pull up a piano with a rope to an upper level of the building in front of them. Alice stared to the shop where the piano was being lifted to, furrowing her brows at the sight of the rope the men were using. The rope seemed rather old to be lifting such a heavy object. Alice bit on her thumb slightly in a nervous habit of sorts, wondering if she should suggest the men possibly use a different system to getting the piano to the shop. Something could possibly go wrong if they continued to try their delivery with that method. But then again, she knew the men would simply scoff at her advice or suggestions. Not only was she a woman, but she was an old maid to which the village looked down upon. They would never listen to her. Plus, Alice did not think she had the courage to speak her mind in the first place. Just then, woman with a baby in a pram walked by. Alice glanced over and smiled at the small child within when seeing the delightful miracle of an innocent life. She glanced over at the struggling men once more, noticing how her worries of something wrong were coming true. The rope holding up the piano. It seemed to be . . . fraying.
Alice sucked in a quick breath, rushing forward. She heard some scaffolding falling forward, but it would not make it in time to ward the woman with her child off. The piano was coming downnow. Alice jumped forward, grabbing the woman and the pram, yanking them both back just as the piano came crashing down. Mere inches away from the three of them. The woman cried out along with her child. Both rather frightened as to what had almost occurred. A milk churn rolled by them as they stared speechless at the splintered piano on the ground.
"Oh, thank you. Thank you," the woman cried happily, giving Alice a hug.
"You're very welcome," Alice replied, smiling at the woman. She waved lightly at the baby before walking off. Both John and Joan quickly walked over to her after she was a few feet away from the incident. Both seemed quite alarmed by what they had witnessed.
"Miss Rivers, that was very good timing," Joan said, looking amazed that Alice had been able to save both child and mother in time.
"You're not hurt are you?" John asked hurriedly, looking Alice over anxiously. "The piano didn't hit you at all or send a splinter your way, did it?"
"No, no. Everything is all in order," Alice replied easily, giving them both a grin. She had with wonderful warm and bright feeling coursing through her. Delighted to have been able to save the woman and her child. "I'm just glad I was there at the right time. Any later and this moment would have not ended well." John seemed to look rather relieved. His shoulders had been very tense and his eyes swimming with worry. But now he smiled and relaxed.
"Well, I'm quite glad you were here as well," John said brightly. He frowned slightly, in an almost disproving way, at the milk churn. "I could have sworn I timed that right with the cricket ball. But it seemed time had other plans."
"It does that sometimes," Alice remarked with a shrug and a smile. "Time has a mind of its own, and likes to change things around. Things that are meant to be one way become another. Always flip-flopping around. Very wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey." Her smile dropped somewhat upon seeing the blank and peculiar expressions John and Joan were giving her. She cleared her throat hastily, feeling a blush creeping upon her in embarrassment. 'Wibbly-wobbly, time-wimey'? Where did that come from? "Well, anyway, I'll be off now. You two enjoy your day."
She nodded to them, walking along to continue her stroll. She heard them both starting to talk just behind her.
"I must say, Miss Rivers is a very strange woman," she heard Joan comment.
"Yes, I've always thought so myself. Though abnormalities can be very unique and interesting," John's voice remarked lightly, seeming to dismiss Alice's odd behavior. "Nurse Redfern, might I invite you to the village dance this evening, as my guest?"
Alice smiled softly when she heard this. Glad to hear the cheerful tone in each of their voices and how happy they sounded. Each laughing brightly together in their excitement for going to the dance. Alice was pleased for them. They both seemed a well off match and truly loved one another. Even though she held deep and hidden emotions for John, she knew that as long as he was content and at bliss with Joan, then everything would be fine for her. With those two at peace together, she would always be happy for them.
XxXxXxXx
Alice held her fob watch in hand, gripping it tightly. She walked through the halls of the school, heading towards John's office. She knew she must discuss this with him. Even if he might think of her as insane, she had to show him. He might be able to help her uncover what was happening with them both. Their dreams, the watches, and the events to come . . . they were all connected somehow. She just knew it.
She walked up to the door, lingering outside as she felt afraid to even show him her watch. What would he think of her? He already thought of her as abnormal. But . . . he had said how it was an interesting and unique quality. Not only that, but they were quite good friends. Maybe he held their friendship in high enough esteem to see through to her words. See through the madness of them and actually listen to what she has to say.
Sucking in a breath, Alice pushed open the door.
It had been the first time she had ever gone into John's room without knocking. Just as she knew knocking would have been the more proper thing to do. But her mind was so jumbled that the thought of knocking never even crossed her mind. Oh, how she wished now that she had from the sight she saw.
She walked in to stumble upon both John and Joan sitting on the Chesterfield couch, in the middle of sharing a very passionate kiss. Alice froze with her eyes going wide as they both deeply kissed. The couple hastily pulled away once they realized she was there, with rather irritated looks thrown at her from both of them.
"Miss Rivers, could you please learn to knock," John scolded her strictly, feeling highly annoyed by her presence. "You're as troublesome as Martha."
"I'm sorry, I-I . . . I'm sorry," Alice breathed out in a rush. She turned and ran back out of the room. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it in a state of shock. She stared blankly off, not looking at anything in particular as her mind processed what she had just witnessed.
Turning from the door, she slowly walked back to her own room. Her feet shuffling as they felt like lead weights as she moved forward down the hall and the stairs. A few boys passed her by, smiling and politely saying hello. But for the first time since she had arrived to the school, she did not smile and greet them back. She simply walked on in a dazed state. Her eyes not quite focusing where she was going as she went through the school. She even bumped right into Martha as the housemaid was walking by her with a bucket of water in hand.
"Sorry, Miss Rivers. Didn't notice you there," Martha apologized, adjusting the bucket in hand so that no water would spill. She smiled briefly before it was wiped from her face when seeing the devastated look upon her friend's face. Bells of alarm immediately went off in her head as she saw the dazed state the music teacher seemed to be in. "Alice, what's wrong? Alice?"
But the woman walked on, seeming unable to hear or notice anything around her. Alice moved on, finally reaching her room. She opened and closed the door quietly, listening in a stupor to the silent and empty room around her. Going over to her bed, she down upon it. She stared off to nothing as the clock ticked within the room. The only thing breaking the silence. Tears slowly started to slip down her face as she felt her heart weeping. First a small sniffle escaped her, then a whimper, followed by a heartbreaking sob. She fell upon her bed, clutching at her pillow as she cried into the soft material.
It hurt. It hurt so much. She only wanted the pain to go away. She thought she would always be happy. Always be content for them as long as they were joyful together. But seeing the man she held dearest in her heart, the man whom she cherished more than anything kissing another with such love and passion, it really hurt more than she ever could have imagined.
"Alice?" called out Martha as she walked into the room, making sure to close the door behind her as to not let anyone else know of her friend's current dismay. She stared at her friend, in deep concern for the woman at the way she was sobbing. Martha had never heard such a heartbreaking sound coming from the woman before. "Alice, what's the matter?" She walked over swiftly, sitting beside the woman and rubbing her back gently.
"N-nothing," Alice sobbed out. "I-I-I shouldn't b-be th-this upset. I sho-uld be h-h-happy for them. I don't m-mean to be h-hurt by it. It's w-w-wrong for me to feel this way."
"Feel what way?" Martha asked softly. "What's got you so upset?"
"I thought I would be content," Alice said hoarsely through the thick tears. "I thought I would be happy. But I'm not. I'm not happy. I'm hurt. It hurts so m-much."
"What hurts?"
"My heart." Alice sat up, sniffling as she faced her friend. "I walked in John's room, Martha. He was there with Joan. I-I saw them k-kissing." She started to cry again, weeping through her tears.
"Oh, come here." Martha gently took Alice into her arms, rubbing the woman's back soothingly to bring her peace of some kind. Even though Martha knew there would be nothing to sooth a broken heart.
Alice cried into her friend's shoulder. "Why does it hurt so much, Martha? Why won't the pain stop?"
"Because you love him."
"But shouldn't I be content if I love him? Shouldn't I be happy if he's happy with another? I thought that was what you did if you love someone."
"Sometimes it's not that simple. When you love someone so much like that, your heart beats for them and them alone. And when their own heart goes for another, it rips your own out. At least, that's what my mother's always said." Martha frowned and furrowed her brows, realizing why her mother had told her that. Her mother must have felt the same way when her father had left her mother for another. Now Alice was feeling the very same way. Going through the same heartache as her mother had.
Alice sniffled some more, trying to calm her crying. "Won't the pain ever stop?"
"I don't think it will." Martha continued to rub the woman's back, wishing there was something she could do for her friend. It pained her to see Alice go through such heartache. Especially when knowing it was not just Alice but Wanda in misery as well pained Martha even more.
If only the Doctor had thought of this. Apparently, he never even considered the possibility of John not loving his Wanderer the same way he did. John just had to go and fall in love with another human. It made Martha angry with the stupid Time Lord. No wonder Wanda always called him an idiot. Once their last month as over, Martha was going to give him a piece of her mind. This was no way to treat the woman he loved.
"Why were you going to see John in the first place?" Martha asked Alice, starting to wonder what could have brought this all on.
"I wanted to talk to him about my watch," Alice explained to her, holding out the fob watch for Martha to see. Alice had still been clutching onto it very tightly within her grasp, feeling almost as if the watch was going through the same heartbreak as she was. Martha stiffened and went tense upon gazing at the watch.
"Why . . . why would you want to show him your watch?" Martha asked carefully.
"Because he has one as well." Alice stared at her, seeing the way the girl reacted. "Martha . . . you know something about this watch, don't you?"
"What gives you that idea, Miss Rivers?" Martha looked away abruptly, seeming to be on edge to discuss the clockwork device.
"Because I've noticed many things about you, Martha." Alice sat up straighter, gazing steadily at the girl. "People think I don't see or notice things, but what they don't realize is that I'm always observing. And I've been observing you very closely for some time now."
Martha shifted where she sat, looking very uncomfortable with what was being said. "I think I should go back to work." She tried to stand up, but Alice stopped her with a firm hand upon her shoulder.
"Martha, every morning when I gaze at this watch I see the way you look at me. As if longing for me to open it. But at the same time, you're wary. You know something dangerous is to come with the watch." Gazing at the girl, seeing the anxious expression on her face told Alice that her words were correct. "That is not all. I also see the way you look at both John and I. When you gaze at us, it's as though you are not seeing us, you're seeing someone else. You're seeing two other people who are merely hidden away from sight. As though these people might one day return to you, but you must wait until that time comes. Am I correct?"
"Miss Rivers—."
"Martha, tell me the truth. Don't lie to me. I know when people are lying to me and I'm not fond of those who try." Alice removed her hand from the girl's shoulder, placing it kindly on top of Martha's own hand. "Tell me, please. I want to know."
Martha stared sadly at Alice, looking woeful. "You won't believe me, even if I do tell you."
"I can tell when people are lying to me, remember? I will know if what you say is the truth or not." Alice smiled, giving the girl's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Besides, you're my friend and I'll always trust you. I know you'll never lead me astray."
Sighing heavily, Martha began to explain everything.
XxXxXxXx
Man, things are just getting worse for Alice. Wonder if they'll get better, or if everything will just come crashing down at the end. We'll just have to wait and find out within the next chapter to come. ;) I hope everyone is enjoying this particular adventure so far. Let me know if you are within a review because I'd love to see everyone's thoughts on it. :)
Reviewers:
LovableAmethyst129: Well, you're very much welcome. :) And thank you so much for always giving such lovely reviews. I'll try to make this adventure arch to be the best. I really hope you will enjoy the entire adventure once it's all done in the end. :)
grapejuice101: You can say that again. Just wait until the end. Man, I think I've might have done a too emotional of an ending for it, but we'll just have to wait and see. Hope you will enjoy the whole adventure once it's all put together. :)
Blinked310: Hello! It's so good to see from you again! :D Hope everything has been going good for you. No worries about reviewing. I'm just happy to see from you when you get the chance to review, and to hear that you are still enjoying the chapters. Though I am very excited in seeing what you think of these particular chapters for these episodes. I'm glad you like Alice and the relationships she has. :) You can say that again about things getting interesting. Just wait until the end. I sort of came up with a very shocking ending. Well, at least, I hope it's shocking, and in a good way at that. I also hope that you will like the ending, too. :)
Daughter of 221b: You have just witnessed the beginning of sad. Let me tell you, just wait for the ending. Glad you enjoyed the chapter. :) Yep, Alice still looks exactly like Second Wanda. Just like John still looks like the Doctor. The only difference with Alice is her clothes, which is now dresses. Sorry for the confusion there. I'm so glad you're still enjoying the story. :)
thetasigma: Yay! I'm glad you liked it. :) I hope you will enjoy the rest of the chapters for this adventure. Nah, I'm not that good of a writer. I still make too many mistakes. I'm sure you're an even better writer than little old me. :)
bored411: Glad you like it! :) Hope you will like the ending for the adventure that I came up with. I wanted it to be real interesting and shocking. Yeah, it is rather sad for Alice's situation. And there's even more tough times ahead for her. Hope to see how you like the rest of the adventure! :)
AxidentlGoddess: Glad you liked the chapter and Alice so far. :) Yep, Alice is definitely a mix between the two Wanda's. And it was indeed Third Wanda who John drew a picture of. She's actually the only version of Wanda who John dreams of. Yeah, let's just say, there's going to be lots of regrets and guilt felt by the Doctor once this is all said and done. Especially since during this point in time, Martha/Ten was officially fully in love and together with Wanda. Hope you will enjoy all the rest of the chapters to come and the ending of it all. :) I'm really excited to see what you think about it in the end.
MinecraftLover00: Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. :) Hope you will like the rest of the chapters to come. And a happy New Year to you as well! :D
Jesuslovesmarina: Yay! I'm glad that it's one of your favs. :) I hope you will enjoy the rest of the chapters and the ending I did for it. Let's just say, it's going to be interesting. ;) Nice picture! I really like it. :D I would actually picture Second Wanda dressed in something like that if she was possibly placed within a more harsher environment. Yeah, the links never work, but I just copy and paste it, then do a google search. I actually found out that the picture is of a concept art for a upcoming X-Men mutant called Wanderer. Which I found really cool, but sadly this Wanderer from the X-Men universe is evil. The picture actually used Ellen Page for the model, which is awesome! She's like the only actress who I actually really know about and I totally love her! :D No offense to her though, Second Wanda is most defiantly taller. lol But Ellen Page is just so short in the first place. Though, a certain Third Wanda might be more her size. ;) Sorry, this sort of turned into a ramble, didn't mean to bother you with me talking so much. But thank you so much for the picture! It was awesome and I really enjoyed it! :D
Dawn: Books are most definitely the best teachers of life. ;) I'm glad you enjoy the replies and that they help with making you feel connected with the story. :) I know, isn't England so lovely? Let's hope some day in the future things won't be as expensive so we can afford to go back over again in the future. Woot! Can't wait for the next season of Sherlock! It really does give a lot of insight to characters when it comes to arguments and such. Let's you know if they're hot headed, or can keep real cool during the tough situations. Nine might have learned his lesson, for the most part anyway. Well, let's just say, the rest of the chapters get more and more interesting as they go along. Just wait until the end, and you might just see what I mean. ;) Or maybe not, for it really just depends on what people consider emotional moments and such. Everyone does have different perspectives in life after all. Oh, nice theory. You're really close there. ;) Let's just say spoilers for now for the real answer. Yeah, sayings are tricky. I try using more correct English terms and phrases while writing this story in particular for I really want to be accurate to the British nationality of Doctor Who. I mean, I spell many of the words the same way England does already. But when it comes to phrases and terms, I'm more used to the States ways from living here for so long. And I always have a thesaurus handy when writing. ;)
I'm so glad you are liking the adventure's chapters so far, and Alice. :) lol Those are my favorites moments with her, too. I was so happy when writing them. Let's just say, the Doctor will be having some major regret and guilt once this is all over and done with. Hope you will like how the rest of the adventure turns out of them. Can't wait to see what you think of it all. :) And Happy New Year, too! :D
Thanks everyone! You are all the best for always giving me such lovely reviews! And always giving such lovely support for the story as well. :) As I love to say, Everyone and Everything is Awesome!
~Tinker~