7
Facing Truths – Part 1
Aaron shot up out of his seat at the same time as the Doctor. They moved forward together but the TARDIS closed the gap she had made in the wall to stop the two doctors rushing in on Gwen and Rhys. The couple were completely oblivious to the presence of anyone else but themselves.
Rhys was the first to speak up. "Hello Gwen. You look lovely in that robe. How are you? If you're feeling nervous love, just lean on me. I'm here for you." His voice was warm and gentle and held no threat or reprimand. Just acceptance.
Gwen blushed, something she hadn't done with Rhys for a long time. His kindness touched her heart. She gave a small smile and moved closer to him. "You're looking good Rhys, though you've lost a wee bit of weight."
Rhys replied. "I've been alright despite everything, love. Just missing you so maybe I've missed a few meals. Or maybe Andy's cooking isn't as good as mine."
They both chuckled knowing that their well-meaning friend Andy was not a good cook. Gwen and Rhys felt comfortable in each other's presence, completely unaware that the TARDIS had been subtlety working on both their subconscious minds to help them become more relaxed and more open to each other. It was working well.
Upon observing what was happening, the Doctor had a sneaking suspicion that the TARDIS had leant a helping hand to Gwen and Rhys getting ready for their first meeting after so long. Good work dear, the Doctor sent his thoughts to his TARDIS, nicely done.
The TARDIS glowed in her doctor's praise. Thank you. I know we originally agreed to have you and Aaron speak to them separately before bringing them together, but things were moving faster for them both so I just gave them both a little nudge.
Aaron, unaware of what was going on between the Doctor and his TARDIS, was still angry over what had happened, despite how well Gwen and Rhys were doing in each other's company. It was the principle of the matter. And the fact that he had been broadsided by this new development.
"Are you going to explain to me what's going on Doctor?" Aaron asked, a sharp edge to his tone.
The Doctor replied, "I think we need to let Rhys and Gwen adjust to each other, get reacquainted. They weren't at each other's throats just then so I think we can relax a bit. I've just got some maintenance issues, minor of course, to attend to. When I return, we'll have a chat and something to eat."
Without waiting for a reply from Aaron, the Doctor turned on his heel, walked over to the far side of the control room and lifted a grid. There was just enough room for him to lower himself carefully down. He lay on his back, grabbed the tools that were laid out ready for him and began to make minor adjustments to the mechanical parts of the TARDIS within his reach. They just needed tweaking really to run smoothly. Well, he hoped they did.
Aaron just scowled at his back, then went through the doorway that led to his room, taking his hot drink with him. He would relax in his room and let the stress that had suddenly built up over the unexpected reunion of Gwen and Rhys, wash over him and fade away. There would be time to have a very long talk with the Doctor. Later.
"Well", Gwen said demurely, "I think I'll get dressed now and maybe then Rhys, we could see if there's something to eat. I'm quite hungry."
Rhys grinned and replied "I'll go look for a kitchen and see if I can rustle up some food for us. Take your time Gwen, maybe have a nice, hot bath to relax first. You're probably in an ensuite room like me."
Gwen beamed in reply as the thought of a nice, hot bath seemed very inviting. She turned and went back towards her bedroom, feeling more light-hearted than she had in a long time. Unaware of the TARDIS's subtle influence over her as she had slept, Gwen didn't even wonder why her first meeting with Rhys after such a tumultuous time in the immediate past, had gone so well.
Rhys rubbed his hands with glee, glad that he had been clever enough to find the kitchen. As he looked around, he was impressed with what he saw. Large room, centre workbench, two ovens, two sinktops and an array of copper pots, pans and stainless steel utensils on hooks around two walls. There were two microwaves against one wall in the centre workbench, were shelves filled with appliances of every kind. One wall had the fridge against it and a walk-in-pantry beside it.
A quick inspection revealed a wonderful range of vegetables, meat and fish available and every packet/can/tube of food and condiments he could wish for. Already his mind buzzed with the kind of tasty stew he could make with the ingredients he had seen. He might even make tasty cheese and green herb dumplings to go with it.
Rhys began to whistle a cheerful Welsh folk tune as he washed his hands, put on the apron hanging behind the kitchen door and set to work preparing the dinner he hoped would put that lovely smile back on Gwen's face. Already he felt lighter in his heart.
The TARDIS decided it was time to develop a working relationship with Aaron as she needed him to be onboard with her 'intervention' with Gwen and Rhy, so she spoke directly into her Doctor's mind. I need Aaron to be alongside of us working with Gwen and Rhys before we reach the Healing Centre. Some of their barriers need to be brought down so they are open to the work the healers will be doing. I need you to talk to Aaron and explain how our relationship with each other and with people who travel with us, works in practical ways but especially explain to him about our telepathic link.
He also needs to understand the powers we possess to help guide people along preferred time lines. I could do that of course, but Aaron will not accept it if I intervene directly with him. He will slam up his barriers. Even now I have sensed a strengthening of his walls, even though he is not conscious of doing this. It's as if he senses me. He already knows about your ability but I don't believe his barriers are to block you.
The Doctor whistled softly. Well, young lady, that's quite a big ask. However, I agree with you. All this has to run as smoothly and as quickly as possible. We're on a schedule with the future Mission and we need to do our part to prepare Rhys and Gwen for their healings, their change of direction and their future roles in the Mission. I'm not going to waste breath with you telling my idea of how this should go because you'll just override me as you usually do and we'll end up doing it your way anyway, so go ahead and tell me what you have in mind.
The TARDIS paused for the tiniest fraction of a second before replying, but it was enough to let the Doctor know his last sentence had impacted on his sentient friend. He smiled.
Well my Doctor, it seems you are learning. As I mentioned before, I need you to talk to him in-depth about me. Start with our origins on Gallifrey. Ease him into it. Just an overview, not a full tutorial as we don't have time for that.
The Doctor paused as he realised something. The TARDIS had used contractions. He was about to comment on it, when she responded.
I no longer need to speak formally to you or anyone else. It was a learning experience for me to communicate using language rather than images in yours or anyone else's mind. I will still use images when needed but I feel more comfortable in idiomatic speech than when I first started to communicate using language. English is limiting when spoken, but offers a wide range of expression in its written form. Much like Gallifreyan.
She continued. I recommend we leave Gwen and Rhys to get to know each other again, feel more comfortable with each other. Rhys is cooking a meal for her and I've prepared a dining room for them next to the kitchen. I'll keep an eye on them while they eat their meal and you can talk to Aaron.
The Doctor nodded, carefully got up from his prone position, and hoisted himself back onto the control room floor. Replacing the grid, he headed for the second kitchen and washing his hands carefully in the sink, he dried them and began searching the cupboards, fridge and pantry for ingredients to make a simple, but delicious dinner.
Soon he had laid out everything he needed for a stew. Moving to the open door, he called down the hallway "Aaron! Come and give me a hand with dinner and we can talk while we work."
A few minutes passed before Aaron appeared in the kitchen doorway. He looked more relaxed, more open and receptive. After handing Aaron an apron and pointing to the uncut vegetables on the bench, the Doctor began to explain to him as much as he dared about himself, Gallifrey, the Time Lords and the crystals used to grow each TARDIS.
By the time the food was ready to cook, Aaron had a better understanding of who the Doctor was, the background he came out of and how very alien he really was. It's as though the Doctor had peeled back several layers of understanding for Aaron and though he felt overwhelmed, he also felt excited. It really was thrilling being a part of the Doctor's strange, alien world. Aaron carefully placed the chopped up vegetables into the large pot full of bubbling, brownish stuff.
He may not always agree with the Doctor but Aaron had a deep sense that there was much more beneath this alien's exterior than the madcap, nutty Doctor persona he sometimes portrayed. His intelligence was quite literally off the scale but as Aaron looked at him, looked at his face, looked into his eyes … he perceived something that he found hard to understand. An ancient man, so very ancient and in his line-free face and clear eyes, the pain of a thousand lifetimes.
Memories of the link he and Ianto shared set up by John Hart came back to mind and a shiver went through Aaron's body. It had been a terrifying experience at times, especially when John had lost control, but otherwise … it had been so thrilling and he had learned a lot about the inner psyche.
"Aaron", the Doctor began, "in order to help Gwen and Rhys prepare for their treatment at the Healing Centre, we need to prepare them. And we need to prepare you."
Aaron quirked his eyebrow and staring at the Doctor, asked "We?"
"Yes" the Doctor replied, "the TARDIS and I, we need to prepare you. As I just told you, on Gallifrey the special crystals mined there were cultivated and underwent a number of organic and mineral changes. This was how the TARDIS time ships were created, although we had a different name for them then. Over time, I've forgotten the original name but some centuries ago just after I stole this TARDIS and escaped into Time and Space with my granddaughter, Susan, she came up with the name TARDIS based on the time ship's attributes – Time and Relative Dimension in Space."
The Doctor paused as he began to pour the hot contents of the pot he had been stirring into two bowls, spooning the lumpy brown liquid til it reached the brims. The aroma was spicey and enticing but staring down into the bowls, Aaron groaned inwardly. Stew.
A tinkling laugh sounded in Aaron's head. Startled he looked all around because he knew that had not come from the Doctor. The Doctor had also heard it and smirked. He carefully picked up the two bowls of food with a tea towel and began carrying them through to the adjoining dining room, calling at Aaron over his shoulder "Bring the bread and butter through, condiments and water are on the table."
Aaron did as he was bid, shaking off what he now believed to be an imaginary laugh. He sat down and began cutting first for the Doctor, then for himself thick slices of wheatmeal bread. He lathered his slice of bread with an overly generous portion of butter, thinking he would need a buffer for what he presumed, would be unpleasant tasting stew.
At first both men ate their food in silence; the Doctor with great gusto and Aaron, with even more enthusiasm once the first spoonful revealed the most delicious savoury stew he had ever tasted! As he wolfed down his meal, Aaron hoped there were some left in the pot because he had missed lunch on Earth and he was very hungry!
"All TARDIS time ships are sentient as they are a natural mix of organic, crystalline and mineral composites which are treated and helped to develop into the sophisticated templates they become, before their 'shells' are added for them to form themselves around.", the Doctor continued in between spoonfuls of stew and bites of crusty bread.
"This TARDIS", he continued, "my TARDIS, has attained the highest degree of intelligence and intuition possible, developing far beyond what her original template was set up to be. She is, in fact, a living entity capable of complex thoughts, emotions and abilities, one of which includes telepathy."
At the mention of the last word in the Doctor's sentence, Aaron dropped his spoon onto the table in shock. He recovered himself quickly and asked the Doctor, "Are you talking about the ability that you, Jack, John and Ianto possess?"
The Doctor nodded. At that moment the TARDIS decided to introduce herself directly to Aaron.
Hello Aaron, it's very nice to meet you in this special way. I hope we will be able to get to know each other better as I do not have the vocal chords to speak directly to you. It's all very strange for you I know, very alien. But do not be afraid, Aaron, you will not be harmed.
As you found benefits being linked to John and Ianto, I assure you that you will find benefits linked to myself and my Doctor. It would really help us all if you could accept this three-way relationship on our journey to the Healing Centre, as we are all in one accord in helping the Williams couple come together in reconciliation and healing. Do you agree to be a part of our union?
A pregnant pause followed the TARDIS's introduction to Aaron, his handsome features locked in an expression of wonder, tinged with fear. Then he took a deep breath and recalling his experience with John and Ianto, as best he could, he replied in kind to the TARDIS.