Another intermission chapter before we get into the Taragrea IV plot! Thank you so much ascab for reviewing, and no, she doesn't get a break because I'm evil and the 9th Doctor is very face paced when you realize he lived in that body for at most two years :)

It's a short intermission mainly because of... well, let's just say the Taragrea plot is 6 pieces long with another intermission happening afterwards.


Things weren't the same once she could make full sentences again, and everyone they came in contact with over their small, boring trips could sense the tension between the three.

As it turned out, Rose came into the console room, talking about visiting her mother, the blonde not once looking at the redhead.

"Maybe a week," she was saying to the Time Lord. "Three at most?"

"Of course," the Doctor agreed.

"And don't try to skip ahead," she tacked on. "I want to be called every night." She had a suitcase with her, no doubt full of dirty clothes, and she was awkwardly by the door, as is reluctant to leave.

"Rose," Chloe tried, wanting to tell her she didn't have to go if she didn't want to, but the blonde had flinched so hard when she reached out, it made her pause and reconsider. "Be safe," she finally said instead. The blonde nodded slightly, and when the TARDIS landed, she quietly slipped out of the door.


Somehow, they ended up on the Rings of Akhaten, and Chloe immediately wandered off on purpose, catching sight of Clara talking to the Queen of Years…

"You're a long way from home."

Chloe bit back a yelp as she turned around, jabbing the 11th Doctor in the chest as he grinned down at her. "Do not," she hissed before relaxing. "It's wonderful to see you,"

He raised an eyebrow. "If I recall right, you immediately ran away from me before I could explain where we were."

"Then you're recalling wrong," she sniffed, but was unable to keep the smile off her face. There was… something wrong. His smile didn't quite meet his eyes. "What's wrong Doctor?"

"Do you…" he trailed off and fidgeted a little. "Do you remember the only visit I did with Big Ears?"

"Vaguely," she replied. "We'll get in a row about locking memories or something like that."

"It's going to happen soon," he warned. "The memories, at least."

"Why are you telling me this?" She asked.

"Because I remember getting upset at the sight of an unknown, pretty boy cozying up next to my immortal companion." Chloe blinked at his words before noticing how close they were and let out a laugh.

"Chloe, there you are! There's a stall over this way you need to see at least once in your life," the 9th Doctor called, and the redhead mentally snickered as she let herself get herded away.


They continued the small trips, bouncing from planet to timezone, the Doctor steering her away at the hint of adventure.

"Where do you want to go to next?" The Doctor asked for possibly the hundredth time, but Chloe knew it was only really the 15th time (her watch showed that only fifteen hours had passed, and that somehow, they had done a trip an hour).

She was getting antsy, and her mind wandered. "Somewhere tropical," she said. "I want to run."

"Let's see…" the Doctor pulled a screen over towards him and began to almost look through the planets. "Need to do a quick pitstop for some parts, and there's a few that fit the bill of tropical…"

She looked over his arm, watching as he scrolled past the planets before settling on one.

"Here we go. Taragrea IV. In the 31st century, it's known as the best resort in the universe. Perfect UV beaches, tropical waters where you can see up to twenty two miles down. They have invisible submarines for full submersion too!"

"But what happens if it breaks? Must be a pain, figuring out what's broken," she joked. "Is this a part planet too?"

"Gets scrapped in the 35th century and ends up being claimed again in the 36th. By that time, the entire world is covered in a singular city, Taraveil. Humans aren't allowed."

Her gaze flickered over to him as he said this before looking back at that planet.

"I think 31st century Taragrea sounds wonderful," she finally said. "But 36th sounds better. It's a good thing I'm not human, huh?"

"Fantastic," he quipped, putting the screen back and pulling some knobs and levers. "Chloe Nightingale, you will not regret this choice."

"Ha, no, I won't," she agreed, and neither of them noticed the slowly fading, blinking light coming from underneath the grates.


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