"You're joking." I more state then ask, eyes studying the Doctor's face; looking for any sign that he's not as serious as he looks.
He stays silent, just watching me. His face set in a guarded mask, then something shifts just slightly and he silently goes to the door, holding it open for me while gesturing with his head that I should look for myself.
Hesitantly I follow him. Only taking a moment to glance up at his unreadable expression again before I'm stepping out of the proffered door.
I only make it a few steps out before the hubbub of the situation surrounds me.
I don't want to be here.
Technically I didn't need to confirm where we are. I knew he was telling the truth. I should have just asked him to take me somewhere else….
I puff out a rush of air and slump back against the Tardis's side; next to her still open door. Ignoring my Time Lord chaperone for the moment.
Focusing instead on my surroundings: The chill of the day, something I haven't been able to get away from, even with time travel— though it beats the heat of the Nestene's lair.
The noise around me is a jumble of sounds and voices, confused murmuring, crying and the general chaos that comes with an unexpected event.
The people, upset and panicked, for the same reasons as above
police already questioning and shouting for order.
all the people around are ignoring me and the odd blue box. All of them wearing clothes that I consider vintage, but are the height of fashion right now.
The air smells slightly different to the other places and times I've been.
Not the smell of England; foliage, rain with cool humidity, and a certain smoke specific to a cold English day.
Not of The Library either, with it's musty old books, metal, dust and almost clinical tinge.
It's the smell of Texas, dust, dry air, and sunshine, all coated in the familiar scent of late autumn... Though not nearly as thick as it would be if we were farther away from the equator. And not smelling nearly as much of cattle and animals as I'd expect… though we are in a city, so that's normal.
The scent is different than how I remember... not anything I can clearly define but definitely different…. Not that I've been to Texas recently enough to be certain. It's been years.
But if I'm right, then is it the time period? Or the different universe?
I haven't been in Texas since I was 17, visiting my grandma…
things were much simpler back then….
Well, besides gran being just as much of a conspiracy nut as my own mom.
I remember hearing about this event from her. The assassination. How they played it on tv over and over and over…
She said the story they attached to the events didn't make any sense, which I agree with, after having heard about them.
Not to mention how horribly gory it all sounded. That alone, put me off doing too much more research into the subject, myself.
Though what do you expect when someone gets shot in the head?
I lean farther against the Tardis, feeling sick. My hand going up to my knotting stomach.
That just happened. Just minutes ago. I was drawing in the console room while a man was shot in the head.
The president is probably dying right now in some nearby hospital, with his wife at his side. It happened before I was born, but it's also right now and—
I need to stop.
He's dead.
He's been dead for a long time now.
Yes, I have sympathy for his wife. Yes, I have sympathy for his last horrible moments. It's a terrible way to die—
but I can't think on that.
This is life. Things happen.
Past. Present. And future.
I'll just make myself insane thinking about all the deaths, and the time travel implications of them. People die, but people also live.
I catch movement in the corner of my eye, followed by the light sound of leather on wood, as the Doctor leans up against his ship. Screeching my bleak thoughts to a stop.
How long have I been blindly people watching?
I've been silent for too long, haven't I?
"Did the events happen like the media say they did?" I finally ask, hyperaware of our little bubble of silence, now that I've noticed it.
if the government is hiding the facts—whatever those are— about the assassination in my world, how much more so in this one?
"Yep. Like they said." He states and I blink. Welp. Wasn't expecting that answer. "Mind, it depends what you mean." Ah. so there is more to the story.
"And what does that mean?" I ask, tilting my head to look over at him while still leaning back against the Tardis.
Trying to ignore the shouts and general panic, so close yet so far away. …Though the noise and hubbub seem to be slowly dying down.
"Well, the president was shot… and it was an assassination…." The Doctor says, trailing off at the end to look out at the surrounding people. Apparently leaving it at that.
"Buuuut…?" I prompt, waving my hand in small circles, in a 'go on gesture'.
"It wasn't by a human. Or the person they said it was." He shrugs, not meeting my eyes as he looks out at the chaos.
I nod slowly, taking in that information and detaching myself from the situation. Thinking about the different facts, rather then the emotions I was just swimming in earlier. "Well at least that makes some more sense. The trajectory is all off from where they said the assassin was stationed."
"And how do you know that?" He asks skeptically, arms already folded over his chest.
I shrug with a little grin, crossing my feet and linking my hands behind my back. Feeling myself slide down into something almost relaxed. "my mom and grandma like conspiracy theories." I leave it at that. Not willing to say any more on the subject. There's a pang at those words, but I squish it.
Just like I've done every other time before. They're both fine. All of my family is. Even if I'll never see them again. They're safe. No need to be sad.
"Mm, odd hobby, ain't it?" He asks, looking down at me from the corner of his eyes without really moving his head.
"I guess." I say noncommittally, pushing off the wall and spinning to face the Doctor fully, a small smile back on my face, "but all the best hobbies are."
"I guess." He copies me, making a so-so gesture by tilting his head from side to side. Seeming to think on that.
"Sooo then…should we get going?" I ask awkwardly after a moment of thoughtful silence, pointing at the still open Tardis door and blatantly changing the subject off my family.
"You've barely taken three steps out the door. don't you want ta go have a look around?" It almost sounds like a whine, and it causes me to pause, eyeing him curiously with my head tilted.
"But you've already finished up here, haven't you?" I ask, before I'm looking back over the street and all the police officers still milling around. "An' it's not exactly the best time…" please say no please say no please say—
"It's fine." The Doctor waves off, already grabbing my hand with his larger one, "Here, let's go—It's not like we'll be arrested just for walking down the street." And before I can think of any response, we're halfway down the street…
…only to bump into two officers who immediately start questioning us before sending us both down to the nearby station because — ahem, cough, the Doctor— looks suspicious.
——————
A good hour and a half later has the Doctor and I walking out of the police station. The Doctor looking miffed…
I meanwhile burst into laughter as soon as we're away from said police station. "I can't believe they called us in for questioning! Your face! And right after you said they wouldn't arrest us too!"
"Oh sure, the only reason your laughing is because they let you go after a few minutes! An hour n' a half! They held me up for an hour n a half!" The Doctor blusters, though there isn't any real heat behind it,
"Well maybe they wouldn't have if you weren't dragging 'a poor helpless young girl' around." I say in an overly dramatic voice, hands clasped together and looking to the sky, before I drop the act for a mirthful grin.
"I wasn't 'dragging' you!" The Doctor immediately objects,
"You were!" I just as quickly counter, grin widening,
"was not!"
"You totally were!"
"Fine!" He gives in, raising his hands in surrender, "Serves me right for sticking around during clean up. Let's just get back to the Tardis and head someplace else."
"I think the only reason they let me go was because I looked like I was about to cry." I confide with a giggle, still giddy about being free again. "I've never been arrested before! I don't even know that much about this time period. What would I do if I got stuck in jail here and they realized I don't exist!" Honestly, that's just as true in 2005 as it is here.
"Oh You'd be fine." The Time Lord easily waves off, "I wouldn't have let them keep you locked up." And just like that My heart feels all warm and fluffy and I feel like jumping up and down just to do something with the extra energy. The urge to hug the gruff man is also strong, but I hold back on that.
Instead, I decide to go with sass. The Doctor's favorite communication tool.
"Well that's a relief, at least …Though I'm not sure I trust the person who jinxed us on getting arrested." I tease, poking him in the side.
Thankfully he takes the jest for what it is, batting away my finger good naturedly, "Oi! We weren't arrested! That was questioning. No jail cell or handcuffs involved."
"Oh sureee." I drawl out, "me thinks he protesteth too much!" —And with that I'm snickering again, and it feels good to laugh. I feel lighter. Even if it is a little forced this time.
He starts chuckling along with me too. Though before long, we trail off into silence, and I remember that I don't really know this man yet. How am I supposed to act? Friendly? Cordial? Suspicious? Distant? It feels like I've just been swinging from one to another as things happen.
If you fake something long enough, does it become real? Am I faking? ….Or do fake and real blur so much that you can't tell the difference?
Sometimes I wonder.
"You know, I never did get an answer to my question that night. What's your last name?" The Doctor asks, and I pause for half a second.
My lips already trying to form my true last name, only to feel that horrible acidic taste on my tongue followed by a spike of unwarranted panic and that horrible dropping sensation in the pit of my stomach.
All the same as the last time I almost used my name.
My body refusing to give up the name of my soul. The very air around me ringing that I can't.
It's not the time, nor the place to give my true name.
"McSweet." I state instead. Praying he won't notice the unnatural seconds it took for me to 'remember' my own last name.
It's my mother's maiden name. Now it'll be a part of me too. I can't easily go back after this. Not without a whole lot of unwanted questions. I hadn't thought of the letter I got oh so long ago, but now that the name is out in the open, I remember the name it gave me.
My gosh I miss mom. Both her and her advise. She always gives good advice. I could really use that right now.
That name was written on the note I got, so Another circular paradox complete, I guess? I called myself that in the past, from the future, so I named myself that now because the thought was given by future me so—
Ugh. this is giving me a headache.
"My name's Faith McSweet. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." I add on after another second, ending with an exaggerated mock bow as I walk. Reaffirming the title to myself even as I play off my fumble.
The Doctor chuckles, apparently not noticing anything off, "a pleasure to meet you, Faith Mc-Sweet." He annunciates the name as if trying it out on his tongue, rolling it over like he did when reading Rose's name off The envelope in her appartment. It makes a little glow of excitement bubble up in me, like him saying it is somehow giving the name more meaning. It's not just a name, but my title. It's a part of me. Not as big a part as my own name, but still a part. And it's me.
Between that, the half grin on his face, and how he mimics my bow, I end up laughing at the absurdity of it all.
The only downside to the moment is the fact that I can't think of anything to talk about to keep the conversation going, so we fall into another bout of silence as my laughter peters off.
Thankfully, That doesn't last all that long though. Neither of us are comfortable with silence when around acquaintances, apparently.
So, the Doctor decides to inform me about all the good things this era has to offer; the Beatles, the space race, Martin Luther King jr…
I don't catch much past that. He makes some other references, and I just sort of nod along, pretending that I understand what he's talking about.
It's idealistic.
all the good things, skimming over the bad that I'm sure exist in this time, just like any other time.
…even if I suck at remembering the dates to put on events, —and can't say what those events are, I do know that there is always a war somewhere. Always A fight, always strife, famine, and sickness.
That's life.
And he's only giving me the censored version of history right now, like I'll be scared away if I hear about how horrible humanity can be.
…but I don't point any of this out. Nodding along and looking interested in all the little facts he gives me.
I don't know him and he doesn't know me. —Not really. If he doesn't want to share those facts then why should I point them out?
"So, you only woke up a few hours ago, right?" The Doctor tries as we approach the Tardis and I absentmindedly nod while mentally greeting the Tardis.
Actually, thinking about that for a second— I'm not sure how long I've been awake. How long was I wandering through the Tardis? We were in the police station for awhile too…but I'm not tired so there shouldn't be any problems. And anyway, a 'few' hours is relative. So I'm not hiding any information.
At my nod he continues, and I only half listen, still debating if my nod was truthful or if I should've been more vague. "well, I was, um, thinking… you might want to go somewhere else… with me?"
That gets my full attention. My eyes automatically focusing on his face
His very nervous face.
Judging by how we've switched roles, and he's the one who won't meet my eyes now. "You know, actually go see some history— or any when you like. Course I can always take you home too."
Here he glances over at me. Something like desperation or panic flashing in his eyes before he's barricaded his emotions away again, "It's up to you really. I don't care either way." We pull up to the Tardis as he finishes up, the Time Lord watching me with that guarded look, turning to face me fully, his hands crossing over his chest as casually as he can manage.
Pursing my lips—well more like jutting my lip out in a sort of pouty frown— I scrunch my eyebrows together. Watching as the man shifts with anxious tension under my scrutiny. Something I acutely ignore as I assess my options.
Not that I haven't gone over all of this a hundred times already. I just keep putting off a conclusion. The bad and good always even out into that undesirable gray area that makes making decisions hard.
I could tell him to take me back to Home Base… could say I don't want to travel, though that would be a blatant lie.
But do I want to travel with Mr Trouble-Magnet over there? I mean we did just spend the figurative 'morning' in a police station. He could go pick Rose up and then it will all be her problem to deal with.
Nothing will change. The same people will still die.
Can I actually say no? Do I really want to..? Will I be able to save anyone else? Clive still probably died. Evangelista died. Dave and Other Dave too.
But maybe I can help like with River and Anita.
Plus…
It looks like refusing could break him right now.
There's no way I can do that to him.
"Alright," I finally nod. The Doctor's shoulders visibly relaxing at that one word, his face softening and a slight grin twitching his mouth up.
I smile back, stepping towards the Tardis with my hands behind my back, "let's go see some history!" I twirl back to face him— as he's let me slip past and to the unlocked door— a cheeky grin on my face as I point up at him.
"but no future alien places yet. I'm taking this whole time travel thing slowly, and spacey settings make me nervous. I've watched The Space Odyssey and I don't like it! That creepy AI made my stomach churn." Thinking about how it killed off the crew one by one makes me cringe and I do a full body shake to rid me of the image.
"Not all artificial intelligence is like that— though I have met a good few— a few of my best friends have been robots or androids. They aren't all bad." The Doctor defends as we walk up to the awaiting Tardis console.
An image of a man with curly hair, and a long scarf accompanied by a certain robotic dog comes to my mind and makes me smile as I reply "Yeah… but I think I'd like to wait a bit before meeting any just yet. So can we just stick to the past, please?" I ask, quickly tapping up the steps and sitting in the jump chair. Hoping for a semi-stable position for the flight ahead. Or as stable as I can manage anyway.
"Alright, alright. As the lady demands. Someplace in the past—" he reaches up to a leaver, but pauses his hands to look over at me with a gleam in his eyes "anywhere particular in mind? First proper trip n' all."
I shake my head with a good natured smile, "nah. Too many places to choose from. I'm fine going wherever— as long as it's not the Aztecs." I tack on that last bit as a flash Of Classic Who goes through my head, mixed with what I know of the culture from history books. That is one time I never want to go to.
"Hmm… I know just the place! One trip to the past— no Aztecs— coming right up!"
——————
"An island in the 1880s, 'this will be fun, let's explore around a bit' he said. 'Let's help out the stranded sailors' I said. Don't mind that the mountain is a volcano, scheduled to erupt in like— five days. No need to worry that we just spent two of those days trying to talk our way around being killed by the Island inhabitants and that there's only about three sailors out of a full crashed ship left waiting for us by the Tardis— oh and did I forget to mention? It's not a natural eruption but diamond aliens trying to get their ship back into space. Oh yes. This is definitely what I call fun." Faith snarkily grumbles under her breath, summing up what he was already there in person for.
"and your sarcasm is helping so much right now." He sasses right back, in other circumstances, he'd put up with it, so she can relieve some stress. She's unusually pale and keeps rubbing her temples, biting at a finger, pinching herself— all probably nervous ticks. Not that he would know. They've only been traveling together for ten days. Not nearly enough time for him to know all her individual ticks, though these particular ones haven't shown before—
But he can't deal with it right now. Krakatoa is about to irrupt.
Such a large fixed point is killing his senses. All his nerves on pins and needles as his instincts tell him to Get Away Now— the building pressure of the time-space event taking up his senses and bringing on something not dissimilar to a headache.
But he doesn't tell her any of this. She doesn't need to know how much discomfort he's in. Plus he's still mad at her. It's her fault they're still here. Not listening when he told her to get back to the Tardis.
He'd spent a good hour, forty six minutes and twenty seven seconds standing around while that pretty boy sailor and Faith drew him. Only for the man to tell them the island's name and the exact date.
No. He isn't in the mood to forgive her just yet.
"Hush up a moment, I need to talk to their captain. An' to do that we need to sneak into the central control unit."
Mercifully, she does just that, and there's a heavy silence between the two time travelers. Only the sound of their feet against the hard stone floors as they walk through hot rocky passages. Then Faith is speaking up again in a barely audible whisper
"I hope you know, I'm not trusting your definition of 'safe' anymore." Faith tells him, slightly more bite in her words then usual.
The Doctor rolls his eyes, though doesn't miss the bantering jab for what it is. The two seem to get into those during these situations. Even now, when they aren't exactly 'happy' with one another.
Honestly it's a bad habit… though it usually does lighten the mood.
She pokes at him, but never hard enough that it really hurts. And if it does, she's always quick to backpedal into her shell.
Even now. She's not aiming for an actual blow. Just voicing her frustration.
Honestly, he hadn't expected the soft spoken girl to be so head strong. It seems to contradict her very nature.
But no, the second he voiced his order to return to the Tardis without helping first, her kind disposition evaporated and left behind a direct, confident, bossy, and —not cold per se— but definitely terse, person in her place.
If he thinks about it, it's the same thing that happened when he told her to go home when dealing with the Nestene Consciousness.
"Have you been hurt yet?" He replies snidely to her quip with equal annoyance, and double the sarcasm "other then some minor rope burns— which, one: was your own fault for getting Carted off, and two: I already healed with my trusty sonic— I don't think you have. So yes, safe." He finishes, but can't leave it at that. Having to add on "Anyway I took you to a summer solstice festival in Scotland before this, so we're even." More then even. She owes him. He could've just dropped her off back in London with those other two, but no. He just had to bring her along, didn't he?
"Yeah, an' I almost got married off to some minor laird there too. So, I call a redraw." She snaps petulantly.
That laird. It was her own fault for flirting with him. Sending that pretty dimpled smile his way, and talking with that male half the evening. It's no wonder she got proposed to.
Instead, of commenting though, he just rolls his eyes, "You've called a redraw on the last nine trips." He has half a mind to send her home after this mess. Doesn't she know the knifes edge they're playing on here?? They are at the heart of a fixed point and now even more so, are part of the events. He can't just leave the Trexin's here without figuring out what they're up to now, can he? It could be an even worse disaster!
But no, she wouldn't know. He hasn't explained fixed points to her. Not in detail. Too busy with its effects on his system to consider it. Just wanting to get away and fast—
"Well, maybe spending time with you is just that much fun, and I don't want to get on with adventure number two." She says, still in the same flippant tone.
and that catches him completely off guard. Aren't they fighting? She should want to go home. He should want to send her home.
"You know, somewhere in future alien times just doesn't sound as fun as exploring a volcano full of diamond people." Saying that, she laughs, it's strained; hesitant…
But enough of an olive branch that he's willing to put his anger aside for now.
He doesn't know how to respond to the first part of what she's said, so he doesn't. Why would she enjoy spending time with someone like him anyway? And in historical places she's already heard about? Sure, she's seeing them for herself, but they haven't done anything in particular she couldn't gather from a reenactment.
He huffs in frustration, "I just don't get why the Tardis won't take us anywhere off planet— it's been a week and a half! Nearly Two whole weeks of one planet! And not even the height of that planet! One small little planet out of the whole universe!"
Faith shrugs, humming noncommittally, though there's a smile tugging at the corner of her lips at his childishness, seeming to wordlessly ask if they're both good again, "Who knows. Maybe she agrees with my redraws." She suggests good naturedly. None of the earlier agitation in sight.
And then his companion is perking up just that little bit more, though still hesitant. Already playing with the spare hair tie on her wrist, the one that isn't currently pulling her hair back in a high ponytail, "Oh hey! I Think it'd be fun to have the off planet experience with Rose around, don't you? We could maybe pick her up after this next adventure?"
That stops him in his tracks, Faith bumping into his back with a muffled squeak. "She said no. I don't go back after people say no."
"So?" She counters, like the young human she is. Like it's just that simple. "that can change. She can change her mind. You never told her the Tardis travels in time. That's kinda an important part, ya know."
Then he's walking again and she's trailing behind, her footsteps near silent except for light taps and the gentle swish of her clothing.
"We'll see." He says after another two corridors, ending that conversation in order to stay on track and get this fixed-point mess sorted out.
——————
The atmosphere in the console room is tense and heavy, the Doctor had immediately moved them to drift once they finished off with Krakatoa and dropped off the three sailors.
Faith disappearing somewhere further inside the ship.
And once alone, the Doctor sets to work fiddling on the underside of the Tardis console, trying not to think about the deaths— the families— the children—
The sound of too soft footfalls distracts him, causing his hands to still for a moment in their work. And for a second, he's back on Gallifrey,—and he can't breath— gunfire and explosions and screaming—he can't breath— all his senses on full alert as he waits for the enemy to come around the corner and— no.
He sucks in a deep breath. He's not there.
The Doctor blinks, and he's back. Laying on the floor of his ship. Sonic screwdriver in hand, wires and machinery above him. His Tardis helping to ease him out of the near panic attack with a worried hum, doing what she can to sooth him.
The footsteps stop—Faith's footsteps— not an enemies— and… is she barefooted??—there's the sound of fabric shifting and the soft thunk as Faith slowly sinks to the floor; right next to the grate he's working on.
If he looks down, he can just see her curled up and cradling her legs to her chest, hair damp and clothed in a new set of comfortable looking sweatpants paired with a t-shirt.
But despite the clean look, her face is anything but refreshed.
Haunted and drawn, the dark circles under her eyes all the more prominent. He knows she barely slept these last few days. He didn't help that— half out of the heavy time crunch, and half out of spite for the situation. He should have helped. He should have done better.
"You know…" it echos despite how quiet she says the words, the constant song of the Tardis seeming to dim for her, "you know…there was no way to save everyone in that situation, right..?"
He doesn't answer right away. But faith endures the stifling silence. Chin resting on her knees as she stares forward at nothing with that sad empty look
"I know." He finally gets out, his throat feeling tight. Thoughts of a different place, a different event still playing in his minds eye.
"We did save some people. It would've been a lot worse if we weren't there." Is she saying this for his benefit, or hers? Maybe both?
"I know." He says again, and it's easier this time. He doesn't pretend to be working anymore. Letting his hand with the sonic rest on his chest as he listens. Watching her barely visible face from where he's laying on his back.
There's another long drawn out pause before she's speaking again, soft and heartfelt,
"Sorry for arguing today … and for running off… and getting kidnapped." Faith's eyes start to well up with tears, but she blinks them back, using her shirt to dab at them before any water can fall. "I know you wanted to leave as soon as you knew it was a fixed point. It was stupid of me to argue. I… just didn't want all of them to die…" now he really feels guilty. Damn domestics. Always catching him when he least expects it.
The Doctor heaves an age weary sigh, crawling awkwardly out of the maintenance nook to sit next to the young girl.
"No. As you said: more would've died if we weren't there. A lot more. The Trexin's needed all the help they could get with their crashed colony ship. Plus, both the sailors, and the Trexin's survived."
The Time Lord pauses, thinking over his words carefully, "As for getting kidnapped, that's… well, sort of unavoidable when traveling with me. Occupational hazard. Just try better next time."
She nods hesitantly, looking like she's about to say something, but he stops her, heaving another sigh. Might as well say it now. He's put it off long enough. "And… for what it's worth… I'm sorry too."
Sorry for a lot of things. Not all of them just to her. He's not quite sure of the extent, and it will probably keep growing over time.. but at least it's out there now.
"Oh. Um. No problem." She answers flusteredly, eyes not meeting his and hands already starting up a furious dance with themselves, "I uh, forgive you?" And again her demeanor changes, now to confusion, "—Um, Wait, so you aren't gonna send me home? I kinda deserve it, don't I...?"
He blinks at that, not having expected her to bring it up. "No. Not unless you want to…. You don't, do you?
"Oh No. I don't!" She quickly waves off, her shoulders relaxing slightly "…but seriously, are you ok..?" That's what she's worried about now? He should be asking her that, not the other way around. He's nearly—or he thinks he is at least— nine hundred, for Rassilon's sake.
"Course I am. I'm always ok." He waves off, leaning a little further back on the console, feeling the metal dig into his shoulder blades as he focuses back on Faith,
"What about you?" He asks, and her shoulders immediately hunch, eyes going distant as she stares ahead at nothing,
"I…. don't think my head can quite wrap it's way around how many people got effected by that eruption… so instead… it just keeps focusing on the happy faces of those we did save." She's silent for a long moment after that, and the Doctor doesn't feel the need to interrupt her thoughts. Clearly she's thinking about a lot and trying to sort it all out,
Then she looks back at him with her solemn hazel eyes, "…am I a bad person for not mourning all those people? Is there something wrong with me?"
He stares at her for a second, realizing again how young she really is, and it's so easy to forget it at times. She jumps anywhere from 8 years old to 800 with no real telling which it will be. "No. It's better to look at it that way." He ends up saying. And somehow that seems to ease her worries, though he's not sure why she'd hold his opinion that high.
"Right." He claps his hands together, dispelling the somber mood "Why don't we take the rest of today off. You should try and get some sleep. You haven't gotten very much over the last couple of days." And now that he thinks about it, he's barely seen her eat anything at all either.
…save the few times he's come looking for her, only to find that the Tardis has enacted the health protocols again and locked her in the kitchen.
Honestly he should have checked on that before now.
"I'm fine." She tries to wave off with a smile, but he's not buying it.
"Hm. And how about the fact that I've barely seen you eat anything? You need to take care of yourself." He chides her, cringing at how utterly domestic that sounds. He hasn't done this for centuries. Why does she keep doing this to him??
"…Alrighty. I get it. I get it." She finally concedes with a huff, rising to her feet and dusting herself off, bouncing to the open corridor—and presumably to the kitchen "see you in a bit, Doctor!"
"Get a shift on already." He drawls back, waving her off and already preparing to get back under the console to finish up, but her voice behind him makes him pause,
"Oh, and do you want anything? I can make you something, or… I don't know..?" She's leaning out of the corridor, using the wall for balance as she waits on his answer,
"Nah I'll come by in a bit." He waves off again, hearing her 'ok' and getting back to work himself. Fondly thinking about how troublesome humans can be, temporarily forgetting about his earlier war torn thoughts.
———————
"You know, when I said 'get something to eat', I actually meant food, not tea." Faith looks up from her mug at the Doctor's drawled disapproval, meeting his deadpan stare with a guilty grin, though it's an empty look.
She's lost the manic bubbly energy from half an hour ago. And he wonders if he should have left her alone like he did. But he can't change that now.
"But tea tastes way better." She says, her voice sounding airy and innocent.
And yes, it's true, tea does taste better. As much as the Tardis has been trying to help her find something— anything she might like, it's all either tasted off, or just made Faith's stomach upset after trying it.
Honestly Faith should just keep eating it until she gets used to the strange tastes. Because what she's doing now is definitely unhealthy, and she knows it.
But really, the thought of this universe's food just reminds her that she's never going to eat her favorite foods again, and that in turn always brings her mood down. She loved the different foods back home— besides pickles or tomatoes— and never being able to enjoy them again is slowly killing her.
The Tardis gives an annoyed huff and Faith puffs up her cheeks like a little kid, lips resting on the edge of her cup as she curls her legs a little closer— probably looking like some weird gargoyle, but She doesn't care. "jeez. Now you're both ganging up on me." She mumbles out, inhaling the scent of her still-scalding hot lavender tea.
"As I said: You need to eat something." The Doctor repeats, coming into the kitchen and starting to rummage through cupboards.
Letting out a discontent hum, Faith watches him, resting her cheek on one knee.
Looking to the side with a pout when he glances over— sternly, accusingly. She doesn't want to see that in his eyes, so she doesn't look.
She doesn't see the worry.
—It's not her fault all the food makes her feel horrible and that her stomach and tongue hate her. She just wants everyone to stop nagging her to eat the nasty stuff.
The Doctor should just hurry up and kick her out already. She's obviously caused him enough trouble. Heck, he should have done it earlier.
No. She doesn't really mean that… it's been fun. Scary at times, but fun.
On a whim, she mumbles out, "But none of it tastes good. N' I just end up feeling sick once I'm done…" maybe he can help? Maybe he can figure out what's wrong with her? The food didn't make her feel bad at the start… back before she started getting those weird percentage messages on her phone… that's around the time everything really started to taste funny… and what do those even mean, anyway? She tried accessing the app, but it wouldn't let her. Just butting her out to the home screen. And now it's at 17%. 17% of what exactly??
There's a grunt, and Faith looks back at the Doctor, who's pulling out some unknown machinery —something vaguely like a toaster and microwave mixed, and with a whole lot of extra knobs, along with several useless looking lightbulbs— stopping to give her the same stern look once it's out on the countertop, "You haven't eaten much of anything over the last week and you've lost weight. Any more and you'll be putting yourself in danger, even more so when out traveling."
Faith looks back down at the steam wafting up from her mug, following its intricate little patterns. Not really feeling anything from his statement. She already knows all of this. "Yeah. You're right… sorry."
He lets off a sigh, realizing the words are empty. Recognizing the hollow look for what it is, even if she, herself doesn't. "We're taking the next couple days off until you start at least eating properly."
Faith whips her head up with a jolt to meet his eyes, seeing concern instead of the other emotions she was expecting. "An' try to get some proper sleep. Five hours isn't enough for a human."
She hums, thinking over how she can get out of eating anything that'll make her puke when, without thinking, the Doctor pokes her on the side of the head, getting a brief buzz of emotions, frustration, anxiety, guilt, listlessness, gratitude, surprise— along with a plethora of others.
Just as fast, they're gone, along with the contact, and he blinks.
humans don't usually feel so strongly… not to mention the overall negativity, in comparison to her usually happy face— but he brushes that aside, focusing on one problem at a time. "Tell you what, I'll make you something today. What'll it be?"
"…anything?"she asks, a twinkle coming back to her eyes and one eyebrow raising— he should learn how to do that. Can this face do that? He hasn't tried— No. Wait. Food.
"Within reason." He hedges.
And out comes that familiar little grin of hers— and that breathy laugh, are they fake or real? He's seen a few of her genuine smiles, but it's hard to tell. Especially with how guarded and distant she can be.
"ok. That's fair," she nods before putting on that odd little thinking frown, "uhhh, would pancakes be alright..? I can't really think of any breakfast foods besides that; cinnamon toast, crepes, and French toast." She lists off, counting them on her fingers. She'd also say bacon and eggs… but her experience with those in this universe aren't exactly pleasant.
Just another thing against her in this universe. What kind of messed up universe has gross bacon??
Not hearing Faith's thoughts, the Doctor grins at the choices; already pulling out some different ingredients… along with a couple bananas.
he should've guessed that she has a sweet tooth, seeing with how bubbly she gets. And he comments on it to her, "Quite the sweet tooth. what do you mean by cinnamon toast? That can mean a fairly wide verity of recipes."
She flushes, hand going to mess with a strand of her hair, like she tends to whenever he shows her more attention then she expects— and she apparently expects him to show her hardly any attention at all—
"t's just toast with butter n' cinnamon sugar on it. That's all. Nothing really special." She shrugs, "My mom made it for breakfast when I was little. I haven't had it in awhile…" and with that she gets an odd sort of look on her face, somewhere between longing, nostalgia, and sadness.
She is young, after all… he should schedule a trip back to see her family at some point.
He mentally groans at the idea. There's those domestics again.
…Though in this case, it might be interesting. She hasn't given him more then little snippets of information about her relations. All too vague to form a full picture. Why was she in London? Where do her family live? Why does she switch between saying words with an English accent, and an American one? Does she have siblings? Younger or older?
He doesn't even know her age.
…Well, he can check that last one at least.
…And he doesn't even have to ask either.
Bit rude, yeah, but this way she can't give him yet another non-answer like she has been. Usually he doesn't do this with companions….but he's curious.
Plus, he's only looking at the start, so it shouldn't matter… much.
He looks over at Faith as Innocuously as he can, making sure she doesn't catch him staring as he mentally opens up his Time Lord sense…
But what he sees catches him off guard.
How did he not see it before??
Not feel it— her timeline?
Sure, he usually keeps that part of his senses cut off, it's disorienting and takes all the fun and surprises out— but really, he should have felt this.
Her timeline is an absolute mess.
He can't even make out anything younger then 18. It's like someone took a giant pair of temporal scissors and cut it off, displacing what's left and tying it into a knot— and that's exactly what it looks like, too.
Her 19 to 23 years of timeline are all knotted up. Overlapping and intersecting like he's never seen before.
It's no wonder she hasn't given him an age. Her memories are probably just as jumbled. He'd be surprised if she even knows her exact age in a state like that.
…and there's something else there too, just barely. Something else that gets mixed in with the knot…
But….
he can't….
see…
what…?
"So! Pancakes!" Faith says, clapping her hands together. Smile back on in full.
The Doctor has to force himself not to jump, blinking himself back into the present. He hadn't realized just how focused he had become while looking at her timeline.
Quickly, he closes off that sense, retreating to his usual state of awareness. Though now that he's 'seen' Faith's particular signature, he can just barely feel it against his senses, like a feather light touch.
He forces himself to act natural. Like nothing's happened, finally listening to what she's saying, "You willing to make them or do I need to do it myself?" She asks, and there's a curious glint in her eyes. Did she notice? No, she couldn't have.
Only other Time Lords would notice someone checking their personal timelines, and even then, only a select few. Plus, she doesn't know him well enough to interpret his facial features. Especially when he's purposefully trying to hide his emotions.
The Doctor scrutinizes her for another second before coming to his senses and slotting the conversation into place. "I think cinnamon toast sounds good. I'm feel'n peckish, so I'll make enough for the both of us. Better on your stomach anyways, since ya haven't been eat'n properly." That gets him a childish moan from her, something like 'but…but…Pancakes..!' —Which he ignores in order to start up his self modified toaster.
Just who exactly is Faith McSweet?
What happened to her?
He'll have to do more research on Faith's timeline later— preferably without her finding out.
As for the melancholy look she gave when she mentioned her mother…well, There's no way he's touching whatever That look was, not even with a nine foot pole. If she speaks up, then she does, and that's all on her.
He'll deal with it then, not before. All that matters is the here and now, after all.
There's no place for domestics like that.
For feelings like that.
For either of them.
————————
"Aaand, last stop before we go pick up Rose!" Faith cheers as she swings the door open; having peeked out a crack first, in case there was an ambush…
…that was not a fun adventure.
Now though she's inhaling salty ocean air while wearing a long loose skirt and equally loose and puffy long sleeved shirt. Sure, Faith'll wear something semi 'appropriate' for the time, but there's no way she's wearing the constricting proper clothes.
There's no way she could run in a dress like that,
let alone a corset.
And just forget about any other type of shoes besides sneakers.
So basically, 1504 can stuff it.
Hopping out, Faith gives an involuntary shiver, before hiding it by quickly giving the Old Girl a pat in thanks.
Brushing aside whatever the uncomfortable sensation is—the same one she got from Krakatoa— she starts off down the street; twirling once to make sure the Doctor is actually following her as she takes in the old-new city sights around her.
"I told you, I don't go back a second time. She made her decision." The Doctor says, stepping out of the Tardis and locking the door behind him.
Faith twirls back around, "yeah, but you didn't do a good job asking, so it's my turn next!" And with that she starts walking down the cobbled street, looking at the decidedly English architecture and wondering which city they landed in.
Hearing the Doctor come up beside her, she gets a mischievous grin on her face, "I thought we were going to see Michelangelo sculpting the David in Florence."
"And we are." The Doctor hedges, not meeting Faith's eyes. She grins a little wider.
"Well, It sure doesn't look like the 1500's to me."
He winces, knowing she's right. He knew the second he smelled the air. Not 1504, but early 1900's. And going by what his instincts are telling him; dangerously close to another fixed point. What is his old girl thinking? "I may have gotten the time a bit off…."
"And the place." Faith adds on with a grin "This is definitely not Florence. Or Italy for that matter."
"Alright, alright, and the place. Are you happy now?" The Doctor grouches, and Faith laughs.
"Perfectly!" And with that she goes back to taking in as much of the city as she possibly can, the Doctor eyeing her suspiciously.
"…you're not even going to ask where or when we are?"
"Do I usually ask where and when we are? Or do I just enjoy the adventure of a new place, and let you answer whenever you find out?" She bluntly says back, both of them already knowing the answers to her question.
"Fine. We're in Southampton, somewhere in the early 1900's, early April."
"Cool, thanks for sharing. Now where exactly on England is Southampton— and don't just tell me 'in the south' I can practically see the words forming in your head."
"Near Bournemouth." He answers, a cheeky grin on his face at Faith's annoyed groan.
"Ok different approach; if this is a map of England—" she roughly draws a vague triangle in the air, "then where would Southampton be?"
"Oh, right about there, I'd say." The Doctor says, pointing near the bottom middle of the triangle. And he's about to go into more detail, when they come around a corner, the smell of peat smoke and horse dung, mixing with air thick with the scent of sea salt and fish.
The area equally thick with sound; of people working, water lapping and seagulls loudly screeching, people calling and yelling and talking— Almost overwhelmingly so, at least for Faith. The busy work of sailors, passengers, and horses— plus a few loud, and very old cars too. All taking their attention… and above all, the massive ship sitting at the docks.
The Doctor freezes when he sees the ship.
Faith on the other hand takes a couple steps in the ship's direction "Woah! It's huge! like an old timey cruise ship! It's even got four steam pipes!"
"That's because that's exactly what it is. Now stop your gawking. We're going back to the Tardis." The Doctor says grimly,
Faith immediately sobers at his change of attitude, tearing her eyes away from the ship to give him a frown, "What? Again?"
"Yes, again." The Doctor grits out, grabbing Faiths hand; already turning and tugging at her to follow. "That's the Titanic."
Faith drags her feet on the rough cobbled road, and when he looks back at her, she's looking worriedly at the ship— or more like the family heading for the line in front of the ship, a man, woman and four young girls. The youngest looking to be four at the most.
"Oh no!" And then she's facing him again. Her green eyes shining with worry and determination, "Doctor can we just save that one family? Not the whole ship, or anyone important. Just that one family?"
"Faith…" he tries halfheartedly, but she cuts him off
"They've got kids!" She begs piteously, heartfelt and desperate. He knew he was stuck the second his companion opened her mouth.
He grumbles in defeat, looking back at the family himself. "Alright…"
"Yes!" She cheers, fists raised in the air.
But he turns on her, finger wagging sternly, "But! Only if you go wait at the Tardis for me. This is still a delicate spot in time and I don't want your little blunderin' human self goin' in and mucking it all up."
He expects her to complain, but she gives him a truly genuine smile instead. "ok, I'll do that." She agrees with a simple nod, "Just save them, alright?"
He grunts, "I'll do my best, but no promises."
Faith starts to head back in the direction they came from, but he stops her, "oh! Hold up a mo!"
He quickly pats down his pockets, he wasn't planning on giving this to her yet, but now is as good a time as any. He finds what he's looking for and holds it out in one hand for her to see, "Tardis key. Can't have you waiting out on the street with no way on, can I? Who knows what sort of trouble you'd get into."
She walks back to him, her eyes never leaving the simple little key as she takes it reverently, eyes shining brightly—
before the Doctor can register what's happening, Faith tackles him in a hug, arms wrapping him loosely and her head thunking into his shoulder, almost painfully— just as quickly, she's pulling away, looking him in the eyes with her bright green ones, and a large smile in place
"thank you!! I'll take really really good care of it!" And then she's skipping away again before he even has time to respond.
only to stop a second later, probably expecting him to have left already— her hands coming up to her chest in fists and a barely audible squeal leaving her mouth, all of her muscles tensing for a second in a whole body vibration, like she just has too much excitement to hold in one small human girl's body. some of that joy even going so far as to unconsciously project out, so that he can feel it on the edge of his senses, making him chuckle to himself as he watches after his young friend. Watching, all the way until she disappears, skipping, back around the corner.
He turns then, smile dropping when his eyes lock on the couple and their children.
Back to work.
He's got a family to save.
————
The Doctor doesn't come back that day.
Or the next.
Or the one after that.
I go looking for him a few hours after we split up. Since he never came back…
but I don't find him anywhere, and the Titanic has already left.
So I stay in the Tardis like the socially awkward hermit I am.
Southampton in 1912? A whole city to explore on my own? and a whole time period at my fingertips?
Nah.
I think I'll sit inside where it's comfortable, and I don't have to interact with anyone other then the sentient entity supporting me. Thanks anyway.
Actually, it was pretty much the same in Florence before I came to this universe.
Sure, I went to museums and went out into the city center— heck, even went to Venice a few times. But mostly, I used my breaks as breaks and just relaxed at home.
I did my chores on the weekends, and though I went to some parties, I remained very much a wallflower at them. It was fun, in its own introverted way, but if I'm going to travel, I'd rather do it with a friend.
Sure I can travel on my own… I can do it, I just don't much like to.
So, over the last four days, I've mostly been relaxing on the Tardis. Yes I went out a few times for some fresh air and to explore a bit—and maybe because being all alone occasionally makes me jumpy in this universe— and the bad dreams don't help much either— but mostly I just recharged from all the adventures I've been having with the Doctor.
—I hate being alone—
—Don't leave me alone—
—Please come back—
Basically, that means making the game room my personal lair and multi tasking by playing different movies and tv shows at the same time as I'm trying to beat the video games the Tardis has stored onboard. That, and staying up until I can barely see because I'm yawning so much and have tears blurring my vision; my body's way of screaming 'What Are You Still Doing Awake???'
…yeah, it's been a pretty good last couple of days.
That is, until the fifth day anyway.
I stand in the console room, my chair, iPhone,—still playing music—and book forgotten. Staring suspiciously at the ringing phone on the console.
Do I pick it up?
Why's it even ringing??
I really don't want to…
The Doctor's not here to answer any distress calls.. If it's some prime minister trying to get in touch it'll be pretty useless for me to answer it…
It's not even my phone.
The Tardis gives me an exasperated hum and a mental shove and I look over at her petulantly.
"Do I have to?" She doesn't answer, but the floor does give me a shock, causing me to yelp in pain. "Ow! That's not fair!" Another shock, the console sparking dangerously, in a threat for a third shock if don't get my rear in gear. "Ok! Ok! Jeez! I'll answer the bloody phone! Ah—OW!— stop it already!!!"
Shocking me a third time as I step forward, I give her a murderous glare and I pick up the stupid old phone. Mumbling to myself as I answer "jeez, you meanie, all you had to do is ask—" then I switch to a much more professional phone-tone "Hello? Who is it?"
"good. Bout time ya picked up!" The Doctor's voice answers, much to my confusion.
"Doctor? How are you calling me? When'd you get a phone?"
There's an annoyed sigh on the other end followed by his exasperated voice, "nearly nine hundred years of time and space travel, and you don't think I might just pick up a phone??"
"Ah, right, right. Sorry." I say, as I start pacing, cradling the phone and adjusting it as necessary. Seeing if I can reach my seat and finding that— yes I can. "Sooo what can I help ya with?" I ask, curling up in the seat and spinning lazily with one foot, switching off the music on my iPhone while I'm at it.
"I need you to fly the Tardis"
I freeze.
I think my brain just stopped working.
"…What?" I ask stiffly, after a stretch of silence.
There is no way.
In no shape or form would he ever—
"I need you to fly the Tardis. An' if you could hurry, that'd help—"
"There's no way. I can't do it. I'll end up crashing and tearing a hole in space and—"
"Faith." I snap my mouth shut at the warning note his voice holds. My stomach suddenly feeling like it has a million butterflies in it. "Me an' four others are stranded on this iceberg an' it's getting nippy, so if you could stay calm, that'd be great."
Great. So not only am I gonna do this blindly, but there are lives at stake too.
I take in a deep shakey breath. "A-alright. What— what do I do?" I ask, feeling my legs go slightly wobbly, even as the Tardis sends me a wave of reassurance. Right. I'm not doing this alone. I'll be fine. We'll all be fine.
"That's a good girl." He praises, and I can practically hear the grin on his face, before he continues in a more serious tone "ya know I wouldn't have you doin' this if there was another way out, right?"
I nod, before I remember he can't see me, "yeah, I understand…..It's still nerve wracking, you know?"
He hums in agreement, and I can picture his serious face in my minds eye "yeah, I do. Right, let's get to work. It'll be a lot easier, since you're just moving places an' not time. An anyway, I'm here to walk you through the whole process, so no worries."
I give a slightly hysterical laugh, but get up and face the Main console regardless. Glad the Doctor can't see my shaking hands right now. "Oo-ok" ….not that that hides my trembling voice any. "What do I need to do?" I ask after another deep breath.
"Alright, first Thing you're gonna have to do is input the coordinates I give you into the monitor.—Tell me when you're at the screen n' I'll tell you what ta put in."
I go over and immediately panic. "But all of the controls are circu— are in circles! How'm I supposed to know which ones to press??" I blanch, thinking of the repercussions if I get just one of them wrong and it's not a pretty picture.
"It's fine. Deep breaths. In… out… there ya go. I'll describe them as we go. We're all still on the same planet, so most've the information's already set— once I get back, I'll reinstate the voice controls so this doesn't happen again…"
I absently hum an affirmative, skittishly pulling the monitor's screen down to my height, having it automatically turn on and display an extremely complex array of circular Gallifreyan along different portions of the screen, apparently adjusting telepathically to my needs via the Tardis.
Can't you just switch it to English?? I silently beg her, but she just gives me an apologetic hum. So apparently no. She can't. Darn it.
"Ok, the screen is on and showing six different sections… along with smaller circles around the edges…" I describe for him. Already completely lost.
"Right. It's a touch screen, so I'll need you to tap the smaller circle that's on the bottom right; four from the corner."
I do that, and a whole new page pops up. the solar system moving in the top left corner, then earth taking up most of the upper right half of the screen, constantly changing circles to the lower left side— and what I presume is the spot to input coordinates taking up the bottom half.
This would all be so much easier if we were using a video call…
Sighing, I slowly follow his instructions, and after what feels like hours, finally get to press the proverbial 'submit' button.
…I have never wanted an accurate Gallifreyan translator so bad in my life.
But Then comes the actual flying.
Surprisingly enough, that part is way easier then my crash course in Advanced Gallifreyan 101.
…Though it's no less nerve wracking. Heck. It's one hundred times more nerve wracking.
Especially when you're the one causing every gut dropping shake, or heart stopping fall.
I almost lose my footing three separate times, and drop the phone— along with my impromptu teacher's instructions— twice. Each time becoming a desperate scramble as the phone goes tumbling just out of reach and the whole room rocks dangerously like a ship on an especially stormy sea.
Not only that, but the noise. It may just be nerves, but the grinding and whirring sounds much much louder when it's just me doing the piloting.
Every extra wheeze sends me into a panic that I most definitely just did something extremely wrong and the Tardis has to be in pain—even though I can't feel that from her—and we're gonna crash and burn and—
Thankfully, I have both the Doctor, and the Tardis, or I think I would definitely be dead.
Over the phone, The Doctor would tell me which button to press, I'd find it, then make sure by discribing it and it's surrounding buttons and knobs…then make Double Sure by having the Tardis light up the right one just in case. For anyone who's wondering— the ninth Doctor is not a patient driving instructor.
Fifteen minutes, —and half a dozen heart attacks— later, has me pulling down the parking break with all my might, along with a good portion of my weight— the Tardis coming to a halt with a violent shuddering thud. My legs buckling, and bringing me falling to the ground in a painful heap. All the wind knocked out of me thanks to the shock.
seconds after, or what feels like seconds anyway— I hear the familiar sound of a key at the lock and scramble to my feet, rushing for the door. Only making it to the top of the stairs before it bursts open with a gust of freezing cold air.
In rush three strangers— one carrying a fourth— all in a hurry to get in out of the cold, before they catch sight of the place they're in. Stopping to gape at the Tardis interior.
I ignore them— mind focusing in on the only one in the group I trust enough for comfort and physical contact.
And boy do I need both right now.
Without saying a word I run straight into the Time Lord's chest, barely giving him time to shut the door as I barrel straight at him; hearing a light 'oof' as I make contact.
I don't care right now.
"Y'Alright, Faith?" I more feel, then hear the surprised voice reverberating from his chest, and I shake my head 'no' into his shoulder. Not even lifting my head to speak, just doing it right into his jumper. "Never ever Ever, do that again." I don't care if he gets the message or not; as he finally hugs me back. Starting to pet my hair, if a bit awkwardly.
For a moment I feel like I could stay like that forever. But a second later, a new voice breaks the moment "it—it… it's bigger on the inside?!!"
I let out a groan at how stupid it sounds in real life, and the Doctor lets out a chuckle for my reaction, patting my back "alright Faith, let go so we can take these people home." I nod, but just before he's fully free of me, a spike of irrational fear hits— And I'm latching onto the Doctor's hand before I can get a grip of myself.
He gives me a questioning look, but besides that, just gives my hand a small squeeze and heads up to the control console. Directing the four passengers—who're eyeing me and my comfy leggings/tunic top combo with wary incredulity— telling them to not touch anything and hold on.
Then the Doctor goes and inputs the new coordinates. Deciding to explain what he's doing to me, since I'm still clamped onto his hand—
he's changing times this go around, so that our passengers get home around the same time the rescue boats drop off the other survivors.
Then, since I'm still not letting go, he shows me the difference between spacial and temporal Tardis flying, having me hold different buttons and switch levers until I'm finally comfortable enough to give him back his hand. And even then, he still lets me help with some minor controls.
Before long we bid our four passengers goodbye— and those are practically the only words I've said to them, since none of them spoke to me, and I'm not in the most talkative mood.
Apparently, the Doctor isn't either, because he doesn't say anything once the other humans leave, and neither do I…
Though I do notice, once my initial clingy-ness fades, just how withdrawn he is.
Regardless of this, we still spend the majority of our time in the same space. And for whatever reason, after my hug, he's taken to mindlessly taking my hand in his, or just brushing arms as we pass. It's like some sort of barrier dissolved.
I'm not sure how I feel about the contact, the part of me that's been touch starved since coming to this universe loves it.
…But the part of me that knows the Doctor from the show, the part knows who he ends up with, is against it. Just wanting me to keep my walls up, and keep him at a distance. He's going to leave me eventually anyway, so why get attached?
The touch starved me wins.
I even end up sleeping in the console room while he works… though that's half because of my still reoccurring nightmares, and half because neither of us really want to be alone. After the first two nights of this, he'd bring me back to my room, and I'd wake up to him sitting on the other side of the bed. Absentmindedly playing with my hair while reading a book, or tinkering with some gadget or another.
We spent a full week like this. Floating, adventure-less in space.
But something's still off… whatever happened on the Titanic… it was bad.
At least, I think it was.
Surprisingly, after that week, he seems to snap himself out of whatever state he was in. Back to the same manic self he was before.
When the Doctor sees me enter the console room, he greets me with a smile— and if it's just a little too big to be natural, I don't comment. Just giving him a greeting and smile in return.
"how about we go pick up Rose today?" He asks cheerily, and I blink at his question, looking up from my spot on the jump seat to give him a puzzled look before agreeing
"alright…?" Then a hesitant smile lights my face "I'm honestly surprised you're agreeing. You sure you're feeling alright?" It's meant as a joke, but his smile dims just slightly, and I get a bad feeling in my stomach.
He looks away first, smile stuck on his face, inputting coordinates and flipping levers with practiced ease. "Nope, just thought someone new would be nice!" He says, ruffling my hair as he passes by in his mad dance "you know, another human for you to hang out with. Wouldn't want ya to be stuck with just this daft old face around."
I pout. Trying to fix my hair while still holding on for dear life. "Your face isn't daft or old. I like it, thank you very much. —And I enjoy spending time with you too." I finish with a miffed humph, but end up smiling when he gives me one of his genuine crooked grins,
When we land, I dash for the door, wanting to interrupt the Doctor's 'cool' moment and having the words I want to say all ready. 'By the way, Did I mention? It also—' 'Hey rose! This idiot forgot to tell ya it travels in time!'
I grab the handle, giving the Doctor a mischievous grin as he walks down the stairs at a much more leisurely pace then I did.
I wait until he's right behind me before I yank the door open.
Forgetting my previous script as I see Rose and Mickey, both as we'd left them weeks ago. "Hey, Rose—" I don't get to finish my sentence.
a hand shoves me hard, causing me to stumble forward several steps and almost face-plant. A familiar wheezing starting up behind me just before I can turn back around. Only to freeze. Watching in horror as the Tardis disappears, once, twice, she flickers, and is gone.
He left me.
Rose isn't with him.
He left me.
She needs to be with him for the timeline.
He. Left. Me.
Tears start to prickle at my eyes, as I look between the surprised faces of Mickey and Rose, and the very empty spot where the Tardis used to be.
Rose is saying something but I can't hear it. My ears ringing. Everything feeling much too distant. Gone. He's gone. My heart hurts. He left me. I think I'm going to be sick. What did I do wrong? What did I do?? The ground is spinning beneath my feet.
The ground and the stars and the planets and time and—
The wheezing is back.
Everything solidifies. I whip my head back around. My hands that had wrapped tightly around my middle, now coming up in fists at my chest.
A second later and the blue box lands with her familiar thudding warble. Her presence prodding me apologetically for a second before she goes silent in me mind. Why would she go silent?? Is she hiding something? But why? We just saw each other? Didn't we..?
I take a step forward, hesitantly. Maybe I misunderstood? Maybe there was a mauve alert, and he had to go?
Maybe…
maybe…
maybe I was too annoying and he just wanted me gone.
Days? Weeks? Months? How long?
Should I just leave now? Rose and Mickey probably didn't see him.
He was too far back.
It probably just looked like I tripped, to them.
The door opens with a familiar creek and I freeze. The Doctor sticking his head out with a bright smile. "Sorry, just had to quickly realign the transtemporial modifiers and adjust the spatial defibrillator— sort of risky. so I thought it'd be best done alone."
I stare at him. Not saying a word. Watching as he lies through his teeth. Feeling my heart clench in betrayal.
I thought we might have been becoming friends. Was that a lie too?
Then he's looking at Rose, smile still in place "did Faith tell you? I forgot to mention, my ship also travels in time." Then he's disappearing back inside.
Rule number one: the Doctor lies.
I hear footsteps and turn to see a brightly smiling Rose "C'mon Faith! I want to see this!" I smile, forcing myself to look just as excited as her.
Mirroring her own energy back at her as she grabs my hand and we run for the open door. "Right! You're gonna love this!!"
Rule number two: so does Faith.
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A/n Woo! Finally got this done! I was up last night at 3am cackling while writing the shoving scene. ...Also might have made a friend cry by sending that part to her... oops? Anyway! Merry Christmas, and or happy (any other holiday you celebrate) too! Oh! and happy New Years!!! Hope you all are having a wonderful time, whenever you end up reading this :)
To all those that follow, like, lurk, PM, and review, thank you thank you thank you!!!
As always I love hearing from you. If you have any theories, questions, or just want to share your favorite part so far, I'd absolutely love to hear. Also I'm so happy so many people find Faith relatable! Thanks so much for sharing, it really warms my heart!
Alrighty! Have a wonderful holiday, and a wonderful day/night too. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you guys continue to enjoy!