Chapter 15: Where's my wife?

Doctors pov:

Wife?

The Doctor thought surprised. Staring at what was most definitely the strangest Time Lady he had ever encountered. The Time Lady who was now looking around the TARDIS's console room as if her wife would suddenly pop into existence.

Hesitantly The Doctor asked confused (seems like that was going to be a permanent thing when it came to this lady).

"Your wife?"

Looking back at him with furrowed eyebrows, the Time Lady currently going by Mary said sarcastically.

"No. My six-foot tall tarantula. Yes. My wife. Have you seen her?"

Oh dear. Apparently, he knew her wife as well. Considering once again if he should just fess up and tell her he didn't remember her The Doctor decided to wait. She was clearly not mentally stable at the moment (OVER 90%!). Who knows how she would take knowing that someone she… trusted (is that the right word?) did not even know who she was.

Besides… he really did not want to be alone. He was rubbish on his own. Now even more so. The Doctor decided to wait until she was more stable (hang on… huh seems like she's staying. Didn't ask her but… know what? I don't mind)

Clearing his throat awkwardly The Doctor replied.

"Um… Don't believe I have. No. What was her name again?"

Seeing her look at him with a raised eyebrow did not help settle the awkwardness he was currently trying to hide. Mary said with a hint of frustration.

"Come on now. Do you not remember Sally Scissorhands? Wait… Hang on."

Looking away with furrowed eyebrows and a finger raised in the air. Mary said.

"Scuse' me. That's not right. I meant Molly Backpack. Wait. No."

Pinching the bridge of her nose in clear frustration she tried again.

"Susan Saxophone? No. Um… L… Lu… Lucinda Cutter! NO! Argh."

Mary started pacing.

"Blimey I can't remember the name of my own wife. Can't really say I remember much of her, but I should still have the common curtesy of at least remember her name!"

She exclaimed in frustration.

Throwing her hands up in defeat she looked over at The Doctor.

"Anyhow. Do you know what happened to her? I can't remember if she died or not."

Letting out a forced laugh The Doctor scratched his ear and said.

"Um… Pretty sure everyone died…"

Letting out a hum her eyes gained a faraway look.

"You know what? Just as well that. She would probably just try to kill me again anyway."

Noticing the shocked look he gained (it might become permanent at some point at this rate) at her statement she cringed and said.

"Yeah. A successful marriage I had not. Pretty sure you could say it went down in flames."

Stopping up she furrowed her eyebrows and said.

"Wait. No. Sorry wrong death. Pretty sure she didn't set me on fire."

She looked away a moment looking lost in thought. Looking back his way she said.

"Oh! Now I remember. I think… she poisoned me. No. Wait. Shot me. No. Sorry my mistake. Poisoned me. Or it could be she stabbed me in the back"

Tilting her head one could almost hear her thinking. Snapping back from her contemplation she looked at him and asked.

"I'm sorry what where we talking about again?"

The Doctor wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or cry at her clear display of mental health issues. That and you know the fact that the way she had been describing her life so far was not exactly anything good. More like the opposite. The direct opposite. As opposite as opposite could go (parasite, broken head, OVER 90%! And now this).

Oh great. He wasn't much of a touchy-feely guy this go around, but he STILL wanted to just wrap the poor woman in a hug and never let go. She had been through so much. And he had a feeling he had just barely scratched the surface.

That she was so bloody happy and smiley was a Rassilon blessed miracle.

The Doctor gave a forced smile and answered.

"Nothing much. Just chattin' bout how your wife murdered you."

Looking at him with confusion Mary replied.

"Really? Hm… well never mind that."

Marching over to him Mary grabbed the lapel of his shirt and said.

"You. Stop it."

And he was back to the land of confusion.

"With what?"

Scowling Mary said.

"The forced smiling. I don't like it."

Looking at her with raised eyebrows The Doctor asked.

"Why."

The scowl shifted into what could almost be described as a pout (don't tell her that though. She'd be embarrassed. Or furious. Probably both).

"Because I like your real smiles."

The announcement made The Doctor smile in surprise. Not a big one mind you, but still noticeable. And wouldn't you know it miss-i-don't-know-who-I-am noticed.

"There you go."

Mary said with a huge grin on display.

"A you-smile!"

The Doctor let out a low laugh at her weird statement. Getting an even wider grin in return.

Suddenly the grin vanished. A growling sound filled the air. Looking downwards Mary said.

"You know I should probably eat something."

The Doctor couldn't keep himself from bursting into laughter.

Letting out an indignant.

"OI!"

Mary started running after The Doctor. Chasing him all the way to the TARDIS kitchen.

He had no idea how this would turn out, but her just being here with him. No matter how broken she was. No matter how broken he was. Just made everything seem a tad brighter. A tad less hopeless. And right now… Right now, that was enough for The Doctor. The Doctor smiled. Yeah, it was enough.

Authors note: Well… I've written this. Hope you like it. Let me know what you think would you? Btw probably going to make a time skip in the next chapter.