"Now, give me a few minutes to change." the Doctor told Rani quickly, "I'm not going to die in wet braces." He said his eyes darting between her and the door.
"I'm wet too." Amelia made a face and tugged at her hoodie. It made a squelching noise as it pulled away from her t-shirt and skin.
"Yeah…have you got a dryer?" Rani questioned. Her own clothes were soaking wet from the rain. "Or a spare outfit?" she asked looking around as if expecting one to appear.
"Um…Laundry room is…" the Doctor twirled in a circle. "I have no idea…I've never searched for it myself, generally companions do that…or we go to their homes. Just steal something from the wardrobe." He dashed off, bouncing as he went and skidding on the floors.
"I'll show you Luke's room, if you want." Amelia offered, tugging Rani along by her hand. "He's got clothes and I have stuff for you to take him maybe if you can." She said leading the older teen down the hallways, ignoring various signs pointing in random directions and telling them to go a certain way.
Rani followed easily down the hallways behind Amelia, almost dizzy by the path. "How do you remember the way to your rooms?" She asked amazed at the twisting hallways and almost random path they were taking.
"Oh, My room is generally the first right, second left and then the first right again. Or wherever the door appears. Generally she brings it close to me." Amelia offered, clearly proud of that. "Luke's room was right across from mine but now Tish's is so Luke's room is now back to being three rights, two lefts and a set of stairs away; right next to his mums." She said skipping down the hall still pulling Rani.
"He still has Sarah Jane's room?" Rani asked as she looked around. She caught glimpses now and then of random things she couldn't quite identify even as Yumo pranced around them barking off into random rooms and running down the hall only to run back and get them.
"He has everyone's rooms." Amelia corrected with idolization in her voice. "Just in case." She said simply seeing their destination approach.
"He's quite prepared then." Rani said looking at the hundreds of doors in the hallway they were in. until Amy stopped at one and most of the other doors disappeared.
"Here," Amelia pushed a door open and showed her what was obviously Luke's room.
The bed was unmade, but had blue sheets with various bugs printed on it and a large green comforter; the floor had various items of clothing strewn across it and the dresser had several different items thrown on it.
"You can change in here. The drawers always have what you need." Amelia told her before ducking out once again.
Rani laughed looking around, "Oh, Luke, you never change…Now, what do I do with wet clothes?" she asked herself giggling.
Warm air swirled around her as if answering and made her jump slightly. "Okay…his spaceship really does respond like Sarah Jane said." Rani smiled to herself as warm air surrounded her again. "Neat?" she said digging dug through the drawers and produced a pair of jeans that looked like they'd fit her and a pink top with white stripes. To hide the colours she grabbed a hoodie that nearly screamed 'Luke', it had a large red Lego brick printed in the middle of it above the pockets, and tugged it on. When she looked back to find her wet clothes they were gone.
"Thief." Rani said to no one. "That's my good uniform; my parent's will be rather annoyed if I don't bring it back." She sighed, feeling a warm breeze again.
She paused at the dresser and looked in surprise at some of the things on it. In the middle of the dresser was a small clay Dalek sitting on top of a poster that held one with a caption of 'To Victory'. She picked them up and took them with her to find Amelia's room.
-The Doctor-
The Doctor changed quickly, tossing his clothing to the floor, knowing the TARDIS would take care of them for him. After a few moments of debate he chose the red braces this time. Sarah Jane liked red, well she liked green better, but Yumo had hid his lime green braces. He tugged them up over his shirt and took a few moments to straighten everything in his mirror .
As he was making faces into the mirror his phone rang in Tish's ringtone.
"Hello, Jones! I've got everything under control." the Doctor said happily into the phone. "We're good! I've even got milk." He said pride in his voice.
"I heard." She was definitely amused and tired.
"Why're you calling? Why do you sound tired?" he asked curiously, holding the phone with one hand so he could fix his hair.
"It's three in the morning, I am tired. I'm still at the spa but I can't get any rest because Jack keeps calling." Tish's voice sounded annoyed, as it echoed out of the phone.
"Why?" The Doctor asked curiously, worried for a moment that Jack was trying to dance with his companion.
"Oh, something about you kidnapping a teenaged girl and disappearing for several hours." Tish said amusement creeping into her voice around the irritation.
The Doctor winced, "I didn't kidnap, I borrowed her because I needed a teenaged girl to get me into a vampire school so I could face down the alien fish." He defended.
"…Okay, I'll want an explanation for that on Sunday, but for now I'll settle for you taking Sarah Jane's friend home so I can get some sleep." Tish griped halfheartedly.
He made a face but nodded, despite the fact she couldn't see him. "Fine…We were heading that way anyway. But just so you know you are facilitating my death." He whined grumbling into the phone.
"You'll get better. Give my love to Amelia and I'll see you Sunday. Don't forget we've got to get Rory too." Tish told him. He heard a noise that sounded like a glass door opening from her end and her speaking quietly to someone. "Iain? My sister would like it noted that it's impolite to call your employee's at 3am on a Saturday because you don't know how to deal with a child coughing." She said and the Doctor could hear the grin in her voice.
He laughed and rolled his eyes, "Oh, good ol' Doctor Jones. Besides, I do know how to deal with a child coughing, thanks. Just needs a spray of the right compound." He said simply, playing along.
Tish laughed as well, "Night, Iain." She said quietly.
"Night, Jones." He said gently clicking the phone shut and tucked it into his pocket.
Sarah Jane wouldn't kill him. Not really. Sure, he'd probably get hit repeatedly and might get a ringing in his ears from the yelling but she wouldn't actually kill him; she loved him too much.
It might be a mark of his love for his companions too that he actually let them hit him and pretended it hurt.
The Doctor shrugged on his jacket and straightened the collar. He changed the now damp watch he had with the shiny gold one he'd found in the wardrobe.
It was time to find the girls and go face the consequences.
-Girls-
Amelia picked up one of the photos she'd taken from the dish on her dresser. Whenever she took a photo it printed out right away from this weird metal thing on her dresser and slid into this box like thing. It was full of photos of Yumo, the Doctor, herself and Venice. She couldn't find a single photo of Francesco though. If he didn't show up in mirror's he wouldn't show up in photos though, would he?
She'd changed from her wet clothes into new ones, this time she'd gotten rid of the running shoes and since she was tired had gone for simple. Dressing in pink and black ballet flats, soft grey cotton trousers and a white t-shirt tucked underneath a large pink sweater that went around her waist. She'd left her hair down because she couldn't figure out how to put it up like Tish did. Yumo was curled up on her bed with what looked like the Doctor's green braces and his teddy bear just watching her.
"Knock-Knock." Rani called, looking inside. "About time I found you. Last three rooms looked like they were supposed to be boot cupboards." She said in wonder at the TARDIS.
Amelia smiled, "Never follow the signs: they lie. Here." She handed her a photo of Venice, of the market in particular. "So you can remember it." Amy said smiling.
Once in the Console room the Doctor lounged back against the railing. "Okay you two, rules." He said nervously.
"Rules? I already agreed not to tattle on you." Rani clearly looked exhausted and it was starting to make him feel a little bad.
"Different rules. If at all possible avoid telling them you had your blood sucked by an alien fish person." He said seriously. "Two, Yumo stays out of sight and three…Amelia stays out of sight too." He continued half ignoring her, and hoping both girls would agree.
Amelia looked petulant, "What?" She asked.
"Sorry, but if she sees you I really am dead." the Doctor told Amelia seriously. "Besides, according to the rules set forth by your…nanny," he chose his words carefully to avoid telling Rani who was traveling with them. "It's bedtime. So go, brush your teeth and lie down. Take Yumo with you and I'll be in to tell you goodnight when Rani's settled." He said giving her an awkward hug and sending her to bed.
"Can I have a story?" Amelia didn't bother to protest this time because she was actually tired.
"Yes." He said relieved that she was agreeing.
"A cool story with aliens?" She whined.
"I'll even tell a story about Mickey if you want." He agreed.
"Bye, Rani." Amelia said, hugging the girl. She moved and hugged the Doctor, "Night." She said softly.
"Night." He repeated, kissing the top of her head and watching her walk off with Yumo. He turned to Rani who was hiding a smile. "I'm not domestic. Don't even think it." He growled his frown not quite serious.
"I was really thinking why she'd hurt you. I mean, it'll just be five minutes." Rani said, looking worriedly at the Doctor.
The Doctor started fiddling with the controls to send them to Sarah Jane's attic. "Er, no…According to Tish I missed by at least twelve hours…sorry." He said sheepishly.
Rani didn't have time to protest as the TARDIS shook and sent both shaking as it landed.
"I hope they've got tea on." Rani said wearily, walking down the steps and opening the door.
The Doctor jittered nervously in place but followed Rani. He couldn't take the cowards way out, he had to face up… "Hello, Sarah Jane!" He said happily trying to hide his nerves.
Even with the door shut the resounding crack echoed through the console room.
"Rani, are you okay?" Sarah Jane asked, arms on Rani's shoulders as she checked the girl over.
"I'm fine, just really tired." Rani replied, accepting the hug from her worried friend.
She was quickly caught up in hugs from both boys as well.
"I told you she'd be fine." the Doctor complained from the floor. He was sitting where he'd dramatically fallen with a hand on his face clutching the red mark he was pretty sure would leave a bruise in the shape of her hand.
Sarah Jane rounded on him. "And YOU!" she said angrily.
He climbed quickly to his feet. "She's back! In one piece, just like I promised." He said backing away slowly.
Sarah Jane looked like she wanted to hit him again, but stopped to look back at the children. She grabbed him by his braces and hauled him towards the doorway.
"Where are we going?" he asked worriedly, but didn't resist her.
"To chat. Mr. Smith, scan Rani. I'll be right back." She shoved him out the door and slammed it behind them.
Rani pulled away from the boys hugs to stand in front of the computer, arms out. "Scan me, then." She said wearily.
"Wait, how'd your computer get medical skills?" Jack demanded eagerly. "That shouldn't be around yet! I mean, Torchwood has it but we're special." He asked incredulously.
"I accidentally stole a piece of medical technology from the 51st century." Luke admitted with a blush, "I didn't mean to." He said nervously.
"You didn't steal it." Clyde told him as if they'd had this argument before. "You stuck it in your pocket like you were told and didn't have time to return it before the medic left." He said as if he had this conversation many times before.
"Still…" Luke trailed off.
"So your mum wired it to the computer?" Jack sounded rather impressed.
"Yes. She's good with computers. Or at least with Mr. Smith." Luke nodded.
"She's a science geek." Clyde grinned, "But an impressive one."
Mr. Smith emitted a light that traveled up and down Rani's body as a scan of her appeared on the screen. "My scans show you are anemic, extremely dehydrated, severely exhausted and have a slightly elevated temperature." Mr Smith said in his monotone voice.
Rani rolled her eyes as the boys made outraged noises and Jack whistled as if impressed. "I'm also quite hungry. What's your point?" she asked flippantly, her adventure starting to catch up with her.
"How long were you gone?" Luke demanded.
"Um…at least twenty four hours." She said simply
"Did you sleep or eat at all?" they asked
"Not really… I got about two hours sleep at Guido's before I went to the school. I got about an hour there but there wasn't really time to eat." Rani said yawning.
"Guido? School?" Jack's eyes went wide, "I've got to hear this story."
"It was a school run by vampires." Rani laughed, it was becoming funnier the more tired she got.
They all were trying hard to ignore the loud crashing noises and yelling from downstairs.
"What does she need, Mr. Smith?" Luke asked.
Mr. Smith hummed as he processed. "Hydration and rest." He stated.
"Figured." Rani nodded and swayed on her feet, prompting the boys to surge forward to catch her.
"I'm fine!" she declared, catching herself. "I'm just going to go sit down where it's nice and soft for a few minutes." She said yawning.
Luke helped her over to the couch near Mr. Smith and got her settled. "I'll get you some tea, hold on." He didn't notice Rani starting to doze as soon as she sat down.
The Doctor protested as Sarah Jane hauled him down the stairs by his braces. "Oh, Come on, she's fine! Perfectly healthy…okay, mostly healthy. Minus some blood but all the same she's alive!" He insisted.
Sarah Jane's grip tightened as she dragged him across the hall, threw open a door and shoved him in.
"Hey, I know this room!" He grinned and turned to face her, "I -"
WHACK!
Her hand connected with his face and sent him stumbling backwards and landing with a thump on the edge of her bed. He sat up on it and rubbed his face. "Hey,shouldn't there be rules fir-" he trailed off when he finally observed all the anger in her face…Okay, now really wasn't the time for jokes.
When Sarah Jane finally calmed down enough to listen to him he had 'Thesaurus' bruised into his forehead thanks to a fantastic throw that both dazed AND impressed him. The room was a bit torn up with things strewn where they'd fallen when she'd thrown them and he'd ducked. A lamp was broke in half, he was quite disheveled and the way she was holding her right hand close told him she'd probably hurt herself when she'd hit him one of the times.
Explaining was not as easy as most would think, not when you had to tell the tales he generally lived.
"So you came to find me but you really needed Rani." She asked her anger fading now.
"Yes." He nodded, hoping to keep her calm. "But I was going to take you too because you're fantastic and would be able to monitor the situation!" He insisted, hoping to appease her.
"Because for once you don't have a young female companion you can trick into dangerous situations." Sarah Jane asked dangerously quiet.
"I do! She's on vacation." He looked sulky but she dismissed the comment.
"In the process you put Rani inside a school full of alien FISH who tried to turn her into a fish person by replacing her blood with theirs like a vampire?" Sarah Jane's voice gained an icy edge.
The Doctor nodded. "She's fine though. Nothing sleep, tea and food won't fix. I promise." He made a crossing motion over both sides of his chest.
She couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. He really never did change, did he? Of course she probably would have resisted at first when he'd asked – had she been there – but would have gone along with it eventually as long as Rani was safe and completely fine.
"Is anyone ever going to tell me who you've taken this time?" Sarah Jane asked him, finally smiling.
"She made me swear not to." the Doctor sighed, "I think she's embarrassed."
Sarah Jane finally laughed, letting go of the rage and fear that had been dueling inside her for hours.
"Then the Vampires were all 'let's turn you' and she bit me!" Rani protested quite clearly still outraged by this. She was working on her third cup of tea and was still feeling thirsty. Luke had already made a second pot and Clyde had put together some sandwiches for them, focusing on getting her to eat.
"You got your blood sucked by a vampire?" Clyde demanded, "Cool!" he continued smiling.
"Disgusting." Rani disagreed, "God it was so creepy feeling." She shivered. "Then her son was all 'can I?' then the Doctor came flying to the rescue armed with a torch and bravado." She would have continued if not for the Doctor interrupting.
"I'm always full of bravado." He proclaimed as he entered the attic with Sarah Jane. The Doctor looked like he'd just gone three rounds with Rosanna again. His bowtie was untied, his shirt mussed, his hair was standing more up on end than usual, several bruises and cuts marked him and…
"Does your forehead say 'Thesaurus'." Clyde asked him curiously.
"Yes," Sarah Jane said curtly, crossing the attic to examine Rani. "And if he keeps whining about that the back of his head is going to say 'Oxford'." He smiled guiltily and rubbed at his head as Sarah Jane addressed Rani. "What'd Mr. Smith say?" she asked the boys.
"Dehydrated, Anemic, Severely exhausted, slight temperature but we're working on some of those." Rani replied, honestly hoping she wasn't in trouble too. "Erm, what do mum and dad think I'm up to?" she asked nervously.
"All night Sci-Fi movie fest because Luke's got new DVD's." Sarah Jane told her easily. "Your parents said something about dinner out and quiet time. Frankly I didn't feel the need to ask more." She said.
Rani made a face. "Thanks."
"Now, then...What on Earth made you get into a spaceship with a strange – and I do mean the second definition of that – alien on a mission to put you in a school filled with Alien fish?" She demanded of the teen.
"I thought you said they were vampires?" Luke asked.
"Alien Vampire Fish." Rani said, rubbing her teacup and trying to think of a way to speak without talking about Amelia. "He needed help, you weren't here and he couldn't break in with a sonic and a Blue dog."
"Blue…Right, you asked about that." Sarah Jane turned to look at the Doctor. "When did you pick up a dog? I thought after Canine you put in a rule about dogs on the TARDIS." Sarah Jane turned to the doctor.
"K-9 isn't allowed on the TARDIS?" Jack asked eagerly.
"Not K-9, Canine." Sarah Jane brushed him off. "Long story."
"What's he doing here?" the Doctor asked, pointedly ignoring her question in favor of what he found to be a more pressing question. "He's supposed to be in Cardiff and away from you." The Doctor griped staring at Jack.
"I'm insulted!" Jack complained, mimicking indignation around a smile. "Can't two friends get together for lunch when they're in town?" He grumbled.
"No." the Doctor replied. "Not when one is you." The Doctor sniped.
Jack rolled his eyes. "Martha needed a ride, I volunteered. I haven't flaked on Torchwood or anything, I'm just taking a break from the currently annoyed Medic and the very pregnant agent with a gun and her extremely annoying husband who wants her off the streets." Jack said nodding towards the Doctor.
The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Torchwood…" he started about to go on a rant.
"What about 'Torchwood'?" Jack started the 'argument' that was still ongoing.
"Enough." Sarah Jane glared at both boys.
When they'd finally let him leave he'd run quite gratefully. Slamming the TARDIS doors and leaving ONLY once he'd gained his hug goodbye. He never left without a hug, it just didn't work that way.
When Rani started to fall asleep on the couch Sarah Jane went downstairs to locate something that would be more comfortable for her than her borrowed clothing.
She stopped mid hallway though, leaning up against the wall and shaking slightly as she recalled the day's events.
"Sarah Jane?" Jack asked as he walked down the stairs to find her. "Are you alright?" He asked.
"Fine. Just worried. That's all." Sarah Jane replied, obviously a bit shaken.
Jack hugged Sarah Jane comfortingly, "I'm sure she'll be fine. She just needs sleep and hydration, you heard him and Mr Smith."
"I know." She sighed, hugging him back. "I just...If I'd been here he wouldn't have needed her."
"Hey, don't think that way." Jack said. "If you'd have been here he would have taken both of you."
Sarah Jane laughed lightly and pulled away from Jack. "Yes well, he did say that but...I'm sure I would have found a way to keep her out of danger, to keep her safe."
"You still will." Jack smiled and squeezed her hand in affection. "Now, if you get her into night gear I'll move her."
"Luke said he'll kip on the couch downstairs and Clyde's stolen a sleeping bag to stay down there as well."
"I'll take the attic couch then." Jack said cheerfully as she pulled her hand away and went upstairs to get Rani. "I'm sure Mr Smith and I will have hours of fun finding way to torture K-9."
"Leave my dog alone." She called down the stairs to him, making him laugh
Rani walked up the stairs to the attic looking extremely confused in an overlarge pair of Luke's pyjamas. It was just past noon and everyone was sitting around, even Jack.
"Just one question." Rani asked, holding up one finger. "Who dressed me?"
The laughter from everyone was both reassuring that they knew she was fine and a bit disconcerting as no one answered at first.
The Doctor was quite happy to escape before they asked any more questions about what he'd been up to. Who knew how long he'd be able to keep Amelia concealed from them. He'd never been a good liar when it came to Sarah Jane…at least he'd still gotten his hug.
He shed his jacket on the chair near the console and sent them into the vortex before going to find Amelia. His bruises and the few nicks, courtesy of flying shards of ceramic , would be gone by the morning. Which was a good thing, were Tish or Rory to see him like this they'd never let him live it down.
Though the TARDIS always took great fun in hiding things from him, sadistic girl, he found Amelia's room right away. He opened the door and peeked in. It'd changed greatly over the months.
From the bare room that barely qualified as a guest room to the state it was in now. Toys rested on a shelf above the dresser, the teddy bear he bought her was the only thing missing from the line-up. On top of the dresser rested her camera on top the printer that housed her photos next to the cage that held Bob and Flower, both of whom appeared to be sleeping. That reminded him, he needed to go feed George and Stanley for Tish. On one wall hung three coat hooks in a row, one holding the coat she'd had when she met him, another a smaller jacket and the third her backpack. The bunk beds were still pristine white with the top bunk made up with hospital corners to keep the pink comforter flat.
In the bottom bunk Amelia lay curled up, half under the covers, Yumo tucked under the blankets against her back. He eyed the Doctor to show he'd heard him but went back to sleep easily.
The Doctor crossed the room and noticed the missing teddy was laying on the floor next to the bed. He picked it up with a smile and placed it back with Amelia before tugging the blankets up and over her to keep her warm.
"Guess you got tired of waiting for a story." He murmured, watching her sleep. The girl had changed too. Oh she'd grown at least two inches, but it was everything else that changed. She'd gotten more courageous and unafraid to ask questions.
She was reading small books all on her own now and learning more about aliens every day. Some days he could almost trick himself into believing the Demanshi had been a dream and that was not a future issue to deal with; that his Amelia could never be part of anything like that.
"Night-night, Pond." He whispered, leaning down and kissing her temple.
He was part way to the door when he heard the sleepy murmur of reply. "Night, Daddy."
[AN: Just me this time. Mwahaha, my partner is being held hostage on skype with three friends and myself, though I've slipped away. So, big chapter eh? Finally got in a few elements people have been wanting. The update oneshot for next week is done bar any extreme poll swings and will be posted separately. Hope you enjoy and once again, if you have any questions: Ask. We love questions.]
