Vague images, a light too bright. Dark figures in white, faces obscured by masks.
A cold, hateful voice: "don't bother with the anesthetics."
I gasp, sitting up in my bed. Glancing around, only to see nothing but white.
It was a dream. Just a dream.
…This time.
In retrospect, "Hello sweetie, did you miss me?" Was probably not the wisest thing for my half-drugged-up brain to say to a lady whom I shot in the leg.
I sigh.
The Doctor still hasn't come.
I stare at nothing and everything.
I don't have anything to do.
The last operation was days ago…. Now they're basically just keeping me like some sort of caged pet.
Blocked regeneration, blocked all non-human abilities… Stopped or removed all nonhuman organs.
I heard one surgeon say it was a miracle I was even still alive.
Miracles. I could use some more of those right about now….
I've been praying, well, not coherently. Not when it matters. But it's one thing to keep busy with.
Thinking on this, I clasp my hands together…for the millionth time, "Lord, Please, please help me in this—"
Click.
I peek one eye open.
No way.
Absolutely no way.
I look up at the ceiling, "are you kidding me right now??" I whisper.
"Pst! Faith! Faith! Come on!" Tern pokes his head into the cell. "We don't have much time!"
"Thank you Lord…!" I breathe, lifting one hand in the air as I hop off the bed, my other hand wrapping around my sore stomach as I pad towards Tern on wobbly bare feet. "Finally, some good luck around here!"
Tern's face pales in worry as he sees me, "Oh my god, you look terrible— Here!" he slings my arm around his neck, taking on most of my weight.
"Really? And here I thought I was doing pretty darn good." I laugh, only to groan, "I'd like to see how you look after someone goes poking around your innards."
Tern winces, "I really am sorry. I didn't know."
I glance over at him, "I told you not to tell anyone for a reason."
"Yeah, well, you have to admit that what you said sounded suspicious." Tern grumbles.
I wince, "yeah, That was on me. I totally didn't think that through. Sorry."
"No worries. We both messed up." He hands me my phone, and I smile gratefully. I thought it was lost forever.
"Where are we going?"
"Kiara sent out an encoded message. Got a response. So we're taking you to them."
"Names?"
"What? Oh, a Captain Harkness, and River Song."
I sigh in relief… only to groan when an alarm starts to blare, "Of course it couldn't be that easy."
Tern curses as he starts to jog with me in tow, "C'mon, we're almost there!"
There's the sound of shouting behind us. And I close my eyes. It's happening all over again. It's just going to happen all over again..!
"There you are! Hurry up!" Kiara yells from the end of the hallway, breathing heavily. She has one hand holding her stomach, like she has a stitch in her side. She must have been running pretty hard. "the guards aren't going to stay knocked out forever! Run! You clever girl, run!!"
We reach Kiara, and Tern hands me over to her, "I'll distract them. Get her out of here."
"What?! No!" I object, but Tern just smiles.
"It's the least I can do. I'm glad I got to meet you. Kiara told me about your time traveling…. Tell gramps hi for me, whenever you run into him, that is."
"Tern, you can't! Please! Come with us!" I plead, reaching out for his hand.
He just shakes his head with a halfhearted grin, readies his gun, and turns back the way we just came.
"Kiara, let me go! We have to stop him! No! Let me go!" I struggle in her grip, only to quickly lose my strength as she drags me away, murmuring that we have to go, and that she's sorry.
Gunfire starts up.
I scream and it overlays the one I hear down the hallway.
A few seconds later, the shots stop.
"Come on. Ship's up ahead." Kiara says softly, rubbing my back.
"Don't do that. Whatever happens, don't die like that. Promise me. Please?" My voice is small and broken. Far away. Like I'm listening to someone else speak.
She looks me in the eyes, nodding slightly, then looks forward again. "We need to move. The ship's programmed. It'll take you to the meetup point. They can't get near right now. The base is unplottable and the system wouldn't let me change it except to install the BadWolf virus. That'll kick in in a few months. It's all I could do."
"You aren't coming with me?" I ask, heart dropping. Unable to latch on to anything more than that. There's no way she'll get away free after breaking me out..!
"No." Kiara shakes her head, "they'd track me down."
"Come anyway." I grasp at her clothes, her arm, her hand. "We can find someplace safe. This place is gonna get torn apart in a few months." I try to persuade, "stay with me, please..!"
"That your future prediction?" Kiara laughs, "And here I thought that part of the rumor mill was unrealistic."
"Please Kiara." I plead again as we run up to the small ship. "I—I don't know how to work the controls." I finally blurt, mind blank and holding her hand— one that's far too cold.
There's a shout and I know there's only seconds before we're surrounded again.
"Right then. C'mon." She grunts, getting up from the control panel she hot-wired and marches inside.
I follow behind her, wondering if she's ok. The run had really taken it out of her…
Kiara flops into the driver's seat, pressing several buttons and starting up the engine. The ship hums to life, hovering into the air.
"Finally getting away." I breathe out, relaxing into the seat next to hers.
"Yeah."
I turn to her, hearing the strain in her voice, "Are… you alright?"
"No. Too late for me." Kiara grins, and my eyes widen when she lifts the hand that hadn't been holding me up… the one she's kept at her side this whole time…only to show a large dark stain spreading at her side.
I suck in a breath of horror, covering my mouth. Only now noticing the smell of metal in the air.
She grins weakly at me, leaning heavily in the seat. "Got shot when I took out the security to open your cell."
"Oh gosh." I feel sick, "oh gosh. We have to get you help!"
"No help to get." She states mater of factly, "But you're getting out of here. That makes it worth it." Kiara wheezes, now clearly laboring.
How the heck did I miss this before? "No. Tell me what to do. There has to be a first aid kit in here! You can't just—"
Kiara slumps over.
"Oh dear Lord..!" I bite my lip, unbuckling even as the spacecraft travels out into open space on autopilot.
Bracing myself through turbulence, I drag Kiara out of her seat with what little strength I have. Ignoring all the blood.
It's a game. She'll be fine. It just looks worse than it is. Take care of her. It's practice with those first aid lessons Alex taught us. Please please please don't die..!
—Oh gosh that's a lot of blood. Why didn't she say anything sooner??
With trembling hands, I undo her shirt, glancing around for a first aid kit, but find none. So I rip strips of my white shirt, and the outer jacket off her uniform, and get to work.
Her breath is labored. Her heartbeat feather light and much too fast. Her lips are turning blue, and her hand is freezing, but I clasp it in mine like a lifeline. She can't die. She's barely started to live.
I don't know how long I sit there. Holding her hand, unable to do any more than that for her. I patch her up the best I know how; even eventually find the first aid box… but the supplies aren't nearly enough.
Not to patch a bullet wound. Let alone get the bullet out.
I'm not equipped to handle a bullet wound. The most I know are cuts, and the hypotheticals for broken bones, CPR, and the like.
"Faith… you must… must… remember…" Kiara murmurs, and I come closer to hear.
"Remember? Remember what? Kiara, please!" I paw at her cheek, trying to get her to open her eyes.
They flutter for half a second but remain closed.
She breathes out…. And stops.
"No…. no no no" I whimper, shaking her shoulder, my breath hitches with a hiccup "no no no no.." I press on her chest, trying to get her to start breathing again.
…Check for a pulse that isn't there. "No!"
It's only now that I realize she never did promise me.
I look down at my trembling hands, but they're covered in blood, my white scrubs torn short and stained with red.
Shakily, I stand and stumble my way down the hallway. Wash my hands in the small bathroom cubicle… then sit down in the passenger seat.
My fists slam down on the dashboard and I scream into the void until my throat is raw and burning.
"it's not FAIR!!"
—————
The Doctor paces back and forth for the millionth time. Needing to do something with all the agitated energy he's built up.
Not only: because he'd been trying to lock onto young Faith's position for days now, and the Tardis just. Won't. Let. Him!
Not only: because of the one phone call he'd had with young Faith, and how scared she sounded— and the fact that she hadn't picked up any of his calls after that.
But also because his Faith had warned him, rather vaguely and with the use of the 'S' word, that what was coming wouldn't be pretty, and it would be best if she stayed where she was for the moment so he could deal with it.
"Would you stop that? I get that you're worried about her, you're not the only one, but you're going to wear a hole through the ground." River snaps at him, leaning against one of the rocks they were stationed at. Someplace isolated in Arizona.
"Yeah, well, it's not like I have anything else to do." He snaps back, ringing his hands.
"Children, settle down." Alex drawls,
"Children? And who brought Junior here, along?" The Doctor sasses,
"I'm older than you, and you know it." Alex grits out.
"Actually what are you three even doing here? Eh?" The Doctor rounds on Alex, he never did like the pretty boy. Faith is even more for them than Rose was. Or more like they are for her…. Jack, Alex, Michelangelo…
He still doesn't get what she sees in Jamie. What's so great about a kilt and a Scottish accent?? Sure, Jamie was an excellent companion, but still.
—and he doesn't know how she convinced the Tardis to show her pictures of all his old companions. Nor why she liked the highlander so much. 'He wears a kilt throughout time and space! That's hilarious and awesome at the same time!!' that was her excuse. He's not sure he believes that though…
"I'm here because I'm worried for her. I remember when this happened years ago." Alex crosses his arms, "you know, Rory's going to kill you when he finds out you found her and didn't tell him, right?"
"And who exactly was it who told you that we'd found Fae-girl and stopped your rampage, anyway. eh, Doctor?" Jack pipes in.
"It was not a rampage!" So he took out some Cybermen ships…. And quite a few others besides that, while interrogating them for information on Faith and Amy, so what? The universe is better off because of it.
"It was totally—" Alex is cut off by the distant roar of engines.
And really, the Doctor hates that Faith has to ride in such a dingy little ship. Just because the Tardis had to be stubborn and wouldn't let him land when and where he wanted— not without several more months of decrypting, and that was just unacceptable. He needs Faith safe, here, at his side, and he needs her here, NOW.
The others wait for half a second after the ship lands, expecting Faith to appear. Probably with an awkward smile on her face and a 'sorry for worrying everyone! I'm fine!' On her lips.
Unlike the others, the Doctor is already moving, sonicing the door open with a hiss as soon as he reaches them, not even waiting for the outer hull to cool from atmospheric entry.
The inside is silent, and the Doctor's hearts sink in dread, noticing several large dark drops on the overall clean interior.
Scanning the drops show that his suspicions are correct.
Blood.
Human.
Thankfully not Faith's.
Her's would be darker, more orange with gold, somewhere in between his and a humans, if he's calculated her transformation right.
"Faith?" The Doctor calls, stepping further inside. Instantly smelling the iron in the air.
With each step, he sees more blood, mostly on the floor, but also some on the walls. In one spot it's even smeared morbidly as if someone slipped. The smear is accompanied by red barefoot-prints; shaped like whoever was walking started off carefully on tiptoes before giving up on it as a bad job. The size suggests the person is around 5.5ft — 167 centimeters. Faith's hight.
A few more steps and he spots the source of all the blood, a petite brunette, he checks her over briefly…. But he already knows she's dead, even before he crouches down.
—But experience says that he needs to check her over anyway. Just in case Something dangerous is on board.
But no— unless you count a trigger happy humanoid as something dangerous— it isn't as bad as what his brain supplies as a worst case scenario.
Gunshot. Painful, yes. Not a nice way to go.
But not any number of deadly alien species that could be lying in wait for unsuspecting pray.
With a sigh, the Doctor stands again, stepping over the unnamed woman, continuing forward cautiously in case of an ambush or hostage situation. "Faith? Are you in here?"
He makes it to the front of the ship, following the red footsteps. At first he thinks that it's empty, but then he sees the body slumped forward in the passenger seat.
His hearts jump in panic. no no no no! She can't die. Not now. Not here—
"They both died for me."
The raspy voice almost makes him jump. Only for his shoulders to slump in relief at the fact that she's alive and talking.
Alive. Such a wonderful word.
"Faith! Are you alright? You aren't hurt are you?" He rushes forward, looking for any visible injuries, not quite daring to touch her. There's blood coating her clothes, but it isn't her's, right???
That's when he remembers the Sonic and is just about to start his search all over again, but with technology—
"Kiara. She died. I couldn't save her." Her voice is brittle. Empty. Lifeless. Eyes just staring at the captains chair.
"Everything has its time and everything dies." The Doctor says slowly, watching for her reaction.
Something breaks in her blank mask, "Not like that." Her lip trembles, eyes turning glassy, "She had years and years left." Her voice cracks.
He lets out a deep breath, feeling incredibly old all of a sudden. "C'mon. Let's get you back to the Tardis. Can you stand on your own?"
Faith let's out a sigh, head falling against the chair, "I'm tired."
"I know. Let's get you up." Without waiting, the Doctor scoops Faith up off the chair.
"I can walk." She struggles feebly, "I'm going to get blood on your clothes."
"Nothing the Tardis can't fix." He brushes off softly, noticing how certain movements make her wince in pain, or flinch back. How dully he can feel her mind against his own.
He forgot how weak her mind felt when they met up, easily mistaken for human. Nothing like what she felt like just mere days ago.
After a second more of struggling, she rests her head against his chest, giving up, and nuzzling close— as if she can hide from the world if she can only get a little closer.
He doesn't object .
Holding her in his arms a little firmer, he rests his cheek on the top of her head.
Even as anger boils up at what those people did to his Faith, what they are likely still doing to Amy. Even more so then when he first found out about Faith. What she endures— at least the part she shared about it, which isn't much.
He grits his teeth, he can't even do anything about it because she already told him— in part, anyway—about it.
it's in his past.
As soon as they step out into the fresh but dry, hot air of Arizona, the others all call out to Faith in relief.
But she just curls up further in his arms, mumbling something so quietly to herself that he can't hear as she clutches at his shirt, her eyes scrunched tightly shut.
"Doctor, is Faith all right?" River asks, for once not using any pet names.
He gives them all a look and nods towards the Tardis, hoping that the familiar home and feeling of the Old Girl will sooth Faith's condition.
Unfortunately it does the exact opposite.
Her breath starts coming in heavy rasps, her irises contract until the pupils are only small dots in a sea of green. Her head turning this way and that as if she's looking for something.
"No…. No no no. It's supposed to get better. She makes things better…" Faith murmurs as soon as they step inside. Struggling out of the Doctor's arms, only to collapse to the floor, dissolving into hysterics.
"Why?? I can't hear her, I can't hear you, why can't I hear it????" She unsteadily climbs the steps to the console, the Tardis's lights dimming as she hums in worry. "Why?? I can't— I can't hear her singing? I always hear her singing." She clutches at her hair, sobbing brokenly, "I can't hear any of you...!" She scratches at the back of her neck, sobbing again, And the Tardis makes a sound of disapproval.
The Doctor rushes to her side to see her fingernails flecked with dark red that flickers with gold, the same dripping from underneath her tangled hair. Showing something imbedded into her skin.
He pales.
No. They didn't.
He scans the implant.
They did.
A mental blocker. And a strong one at that.
His rage builds all over again. Don't they know how dangerous those are???! Depriving a Time Lord or Lady of all psychic links can lead to madness! Especially if they are already symbiotically linked to a Tardis! What were they thinking!?
"Faith, Faith, look at me." She does, but her eyes don't stay on him, glazed and vibrating around the room like they are searching for something that isn't there. Never actually seeing him.
"I'm sorry, but this is necessary." Without losing another second, he touches his fingers to her temples, and his forehead to hers. Wincing at the strong level of interference.
She screams in pain—
'Sleep.'
And in the next moment, Faith slumps into his awaiting arms.
Those stupid apes. How dare they!
How dare they!!
No. He has to take care of this first.
"What's happened to her?" Alex asks, stepping in his way.
"Not now. I need to get her to the med bey." The Doctor growls, brushing past him.
"She's a sister to me— she might as well be part of my Chapter. I'm coming, whether you like it or not."
The Doctor hesitates for half a second, sizing up the older-younger looking Time Lord, before nodding, "right. C'mon then."
It doesn't take long, the Tardis shifting to accommodate. But long enough for Alex to snipe at the Doctor; "this is your fault, you know. If you hadn't left her on her own like that—"
"Me!?" The Doctor snaps, "and who was it who left her alone to be kidnapped in the first place? I thought you were all in hiding? Not a very good hiding place if Faith got caught."
"She was in your care when this happened!"
"You don't think I know that?! Have you ever tried to keep Faith out of trouble??"
"Yes! I have! It doesn't work! But you could have at least tried to stay with her and lessen the damage!" Alex snaps back.
"You think I didn't try?? 'Don't wander off.' It's rule one!"
"The first rule that everyone breaks!"
With a huff the Doctor pushes into the Med Bey, laying Faith down on the bed. Turning when he hears some rather explicit curses in Gallifreyan.
Alex is at the scanner, and the Doctor joins him there, adding his own curse at what he finds.
"There's no way to reverse all they've done." He grits out, clutching at the scanner. "Not without regeneration— and I know when that happens. Already in my past. Don't need a paradox right now on top of everything else." He runs a hand through his hair in frustration.
"No. But what we can do is remove the blocker." Alex states, rushing around the room, adjusting scanners and equipment for Faith's unique biochemistry. "She still won't be able to 'clearly hear' telepathically, not without regenerating…. Not with what those— heathens did to her head…"
"but it will at least keep her from going insane. And that's what's important." The Doctor finishes. Both men so used to teaching, that even when they don't need to explain to the other, it comes out anyway."Faith acclimatized over the years. Meaning her body is in shock now. Doesn't know what to do without the senses it's used to."
"And those—" Alex slams his fist against the examination table, "those stupid apes definitely didn't help that."
"No. Basically undid as much of her transformation as they possibly could." The Doctor agrees.
Continuing with their— not quite banter, as it is shared opinion, Alex and the Doctor hurry to undo what damage they can; not even noticing when River and Jack join them to watch from the doorway.
Just as—well, almost as— Maybe as— worried for Faith's safety as the Doctor, himself is. In his personal opinion, no one could possibly be as worried for Faith as he, himself.
Soon enough the device on the back of Faith's neck is removed. The Doctor and Alex bickering over who used the cellular reconstructor to heal the damage from the surgery.
"That's all we can do for her." Alex tells River and Jack, brushing some fly-aways from Faith's forehead, "All we can do now is wait for her to wake up."
"You know Doc, I got a call from River awhile back, about renovating my old place. Hadn't been there for a good twenty years or so, linearly. Over a couple hundred temporally for me now."
"Is this going someplace?" The Doctor asks, eyes barely leaving Faith's pale form.
"I think it's time for Faith and the kids to move. Keep them away from what's happening over in America." Jack sighs when the Doctor doesn't answer. "Keep the timelines in check too." He shrugs, turning to the door, "Just a thought."
"Let's give them some space." River murmurs, tugging the two men out of the med bey. "You know how broody he gets. Especially when it concerns her."
"I heard that," the Doctor calls after them, "and I don't brood!"
Still grumbling, the Doctor takes Faith's hand, absently tracing circular gallifreyan over her skin, both for his own comfort, and to monitor her mental activity through the contact. Easily brushing away any potential nightmares and replacing them with calm and soothing feelings instead.
Her mind feels so dull and sluggish.
Weak. Human. So so different from what he's used to.
It's disconcerting.
It takes several hours for her to wake up, and through it all he holds her hand.
Unwilling to let her wake up alone.
Both he and the Tardis blanket her in comfort and love.
But even then, she stubbornly walks through the memories of the last few days, reminds herself of all that has happened, before opening her eyes and staring blankly up at the ceiling.
"…Am I broken?" She quietly asks, sounding so small. "Can you fix me?"
"Do you think you are?" He asks, still running his thumb over the back of her hand. Smoothing out her roiling emotions, just a bit. Nudging her out of the shock she's in. Better to get it out then let it pile up.
"I'd just accepted it. Being a Time Lady— Or the thought of it. It still scared me. But I'd found people. I was getting used to things. I had a place." Her face crumples, "now I'm back at the start.
"Not really." He says gently, "it'll just take awhile longer. That's all."
She shakes her head, hiding her face with her free hand, "I'm a fake who can't go one way or the other." She states brokenly.
"Oh Faith…" he scoops her fragile body into his arms, rocking her slightly as she sobs, "my poor poor wonderful Faith, you are a lot of things, but a fake is not one of them." He kisses the top of her head, his hearts breaking for his sweet young Faith, who's just gotten a taste for how cruel the universe can be sometimes.
For once, she doesn't squirm out of his arms, clutching at his shirt like a lifeline. Hiding her tears in the collar of his shirt as she tries to get herself back under control.
It's another few minutes of her holding her breath, and letting out stifled sobs and hiccups before she calms down. Breath evening out to just the occasional hiccup.
her grip loosens before she finally lets go to sniffle and wipe self consciously at her eyes.
"Better?" The Doctor asks softly.
"Mm." She nods, meeting his eyes for half a second before looking away. "Sorry."
"Hey," he squeezes her hand, and she looks him in the eye, "you have nothing to apologize for."
She absently stares off into space somewhere over his shoulder. Not answering.
He lightly tugs on her hand, pulling her up off the bed, she follows lifelessly, "Are you up for company, or should I send that lot away? We could go someplace, just you and me?"
"…Don't really want to talk with anyone right now." She mumbles, leaning against his shoulder. "… it's up to you." She says a little louder a second later. As if she expects him not to hear her first comment.
Maybe she doesn't.
Those people messed with her hearing, and as intuitive as she is, she probably assumes that he hears on a similar level as she does. Especially after living with their kind for so long. He can still vaguely remember those times of adjusting after a long visit to Gallifrey back in the day, or even right after the War.
'No. You've done so much for me over the years. Just this once, it's my turn.' he doesn't say.
Though the projection she can't hear is there.
Instead he hugs her again, "Jack's preparing a place for you and the kids, I'll drop them all off where they need to be and then we can go anywhere you'd like." He squeezes her hand, "want to come, or wait in your room til' I finish up?"
Staring off into the middle distance for a long moment, she looks utterly lost… and then she smiles up at him. Broken, and horribly fake. "I'll just go back to my room." She smiles. "Don't want to bother anyone." Is mumbled under her breath, nearly too quiet for him to hear.
He smiles tightly back at her, for just half a second, even though all he wants to do is scowl. "Then I'll walk you back." He hides his trembling clenched fist from view.
She doesn't object, just steps a little closer, pinching the fabric of his jacket sleeve between her fingers. Something he's learned means she wants to be close, to be comforted, but isn't sure how to ask for it.
The Doctor gently frees himself, taking her hand in his. He squeezes once.
She squeezes back.
The ghost of a smile crosses his face.
Still the same Faith. A little beaten and battered, but still Faith.
The Doctor guides a silent Faith through the Tardis. Feeling the old girl's worry and frustration at not being able to connect to her other crew-bond properly. He pats the nearest wall, feeling the same detachment.
It's been ages since he wasn't able to feel her in his head, and now she feels almost human again.
How much worse does it make her feel?
She's been living with their kind for the better part of forty years.
He knows how disorienting that disconnect is.
How the Time War cut all telepathic ties, forcing those who slipped through the cracks to find each other in order to reestablish the links. How searching out that void and being unable to connect, nearly drove him mad with the silence.
And she's still so young.
Those connections are even more important in those first 150 years. It's no wonder that she had a meltdown. That she's now clinging to his hand, unconsciously searching out the link through touch.
Not to mention what they did to her.
Oh, they were going to pay for that. He was not nearly as forgiving as Faith. She might have given them three chances, but not him. They hurt his Faith. They still had Amy.
She was their one chance.
They were going to feel the full force of a Time Lord's wrath.
And knowing Faith, she already gave them plenty of warning. More than they deserve, even.
But now, right now, he has other things to deal with.
Like getting Faith to her room. That doesn't take long, the Tardis shortening the distance.
Nothing in the room is white, the ceiling lit by a myriad of glass lanterns, that cast a rainbow if colors about the room. A fireplace glows warmly from one of the walls, and the other is lit by a fish tank that seems to be connected to the aquarium. Various fish, from earth, Gallifrey, and other worlds swimming in and out of the space.
Faith barely spares a glance at her surroundings, just walking to, and flopping down, on the bed that's piled with more pillows than any person feasibly needs— and curls up.
There's soft ambient music playing from a music box, that changes songs every now and then, and after a moment of listening, the Doctor recognizes it as the song of the Tardis, but at a lower, human-friendly frequency.
With a fond smile he pats the wall.
He was a little disappointed that the room wasn't Faith's forever room, but instead, the ever changing one that represents the thought that she is just some passing fancy— that would, and could, disappear at any time.
….Like he might kick her out.
Pff. Like that would ever happen again.
He had spent way too long regretting that the first time around. Even more when he learned about this accidental trip she's currently taking.
He's berated the Tardis quite a few times over that. and how long it's kept her away. Not to mention what she's just gone through.
….wait a minute.
Just because his younger incarnation wasn't there doesn't mean He can't be there.
Why hadn't he thought of this sooner??
—He'll have to run it by his Faith, but she likes her quiet time, so that shouldn't be any trouble.
In fact, it could work out rather nicely.
More time with Faith, less time on her own. Keep her from being too irresponsible—like he was any one to talk.
Plus more time with little River- er, Melody, and Rory….
Alex….
Well… Maybe he could ditch Alex on an astroid someplace.
Probably not. But he could hope.
It doesn't take long to get everyone where they need to be— slightly longer, just because he refuses to drop them off at the wrong where and when.
Then he's running back to Faith. She hasn't moved from her bed, but her phone is out, flipping through photos with lackluster enthusiasm.
Slowly, the Doctor enters the room, like Faith is an animal that could startle at any second… though when she gives no response to his presence, nor tells him to leave, like several companions have done after a particularly traumatic adventure— usually involving several sharp words and a few thrown pillows— he gingerly sits down on the bed next to her. Leaning over to see pictures of her happily smiling with her family.
Occasionally she switches to ones of her adventures, or her time with the ponds and Alex. His hearts give a startled lurch when she flips to a photo of Rose and his ninth self. And again when it shows Donna and his Tenth.
When did she even take these???
No. Not the point.
"How do you handle it?" She asks after a very long silence.
"Mostly, I don't. I run and don't look back." The Doctor breathes out a very age weary sigh, "but every now and then I do. And it's not pleasant, but I've been very lucky to have someone to lean on when that happens, and I come out better because of it." He pats her back, still sprawled across her bed, though her phone is off now.
Rolling over, Faith covers her face with her arms, "It feels like all I've been doing is crying."
"And that's ok. That's good. Better than stuffing it all up." He hesitates, "do you want to talk about it…?"
"No." Right. That would be his response too. Especially when he was younger.
"And that's fine too." He flops down next to Faith, her hair tickling his cheek.
Just listening to the Tardis's song, being there for her.
"Are you hungry? Why don't we get you some food?"
Faith sighs, finally turning to him, "I'm not hungry. Why are you always trying to get me to eat."
He sighs right back, giving her a pointed look, "because you're like this. You don't eat when you're stressed and that's bad for your health. Let me be the Doctor." He holds out his hand, and after a long second, Faith takes it, letting him pull her up off the bed. "That's my girl! I know just the place."
Skidding to a stop, Faith pulls her hand away, "Doctor, I don't want to go out. Can't we just go get something in the kitchen?"
"Faith." The Doctor turns back to her, reaching up and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Am I talking to Faith or you?" She opens her mouth and then closes it, confused. So he explains, "Faith is an idea. An ideal to live up to. A promise. Do you still have faith? Is that who you are right now?"
"Do I—?" She blinks, "Of course. Of course I do."
Same old Faith. He smiles, "Then have faith in me. I swear to you, there won't be anything dangerous today."
Searching his eyes for a long moment, she slowly nods, "Ok…. I'll go. But I have faith in God first and foremost." She states with a stubborn jut of her chin.
"Of course."
————
The Doctor is acting weird. I know it, but at the same time, I know it's because I'm acting weird too. Neither of us feels energetic. Neither of us feels like faking it.
He thinks I might break. I just feel empty.
He hasn't brought up going to Mels, Rory, and Alex. I'm glad he hasn't.
Instead, he's taken me to various places, a forest planet full of pine trees, moss, rivers and ponds— I asked to stay for a bit and we end up spending three days in a little Ewok-esk village.
Then we go to Hawaii, Women's Wept, someplace in Germany, Disney world then Disney Planet. It feels like he's gauging how well I'll do with basic humanoid interaction. Like a skittish house cat that needs to be slowly reintroduced back into society.
That part is annoying… Not that I blame him.
He keeps his promise though. None of the places we go are dangerous. Not that first day, nor the next week.
By the end of the fourth week I'm almost ready to start some mischief myself, just to keep down the paranoia of the Tardis actually going another place that isn't dangerous. It's like watching a ticking time bomb slowly going down.
I get that she likes me, but this just feels like I'm being lured into a false sense of security before I stumble into a season finale or— God forbid, a Christmas special. A Moffat Christmas special.
That thought in mind, I march into the console room. "Ok Doctor, this needs to stop."
"What??" There's a bang and a distinct 'Ow!' Before the Doctor's head pops up over the console, a hand rubbing at the bump be gave himself, "No it doesn't. —What needs to stop?"
"This." I gesture around the console, rephrasing when I see the Doctor's kicked-puppy look, "going to safe places and treating me like I'm made of glass. It needs to stop."
"I made you a promise Faith." He states, like that's all that needs saying.
I sigh, rubbing my temples, "You need to go back to your Faith and saving the universe, and I need to keep moving forward— whatever that looks like."
"Alright." The Doctor concedes, getting up and leaning against the console, and looking at me with those puppy eyes. "But it doesn't have to be right now, if you don't want it to be. Time machine. We can take as much time as you need."
"Doctor," I give him a flat look. "I swear I'm going to start a rebellion-slash-revolution within the next intelligent society we come across if the Tardis keeps taking us on safe joyrides with nothing that needs fixing.
"Oh good." The Doctor sags, "So I wasn't the only one then." We both snort, but a second later he gives me a stern look, "but really, if you need more time—"
I roll my eyes and flip my hands up, "Ok, yes. I'm probably irreversibly traumatized of doctors— not you— and surgical equipment. Not to mention needles. But that's nothing new. I've lived with that phobia since I was four years old. and it hasn't killed me yet. —Confirmed my fears about it? Yes. But I'll live." I wrap my arms around myself, "I can't sit around moping over Kiara and Tern's deaths forever. It's been what?" I raise a questioning eyebrow, ignoring the sting that I don't just know the information.
That part of me is blocked off.
I could look it up on my phone, but he's just as good of a source.
"Five weeks." He concedes without objection.
"Thank you." I nod, "It's been five weeks. It's time to go see the others and face the music."
————-
"I thought you were dead!!!!"
"You! You disappeared! And and and Alex! Alex wouldn't let us go look for you! And! And—Why can't we feel you in our heads anymore?!???"
……………….. facing the music is easier when you don't have two hysteric TimeTots clinging to your legs.
"You know, we could slip away and do this later….." the Doctor murmurs in my ear.
"If I stay listless forever I'll waste away." I state, hands full with comforting the two wailing children in my arms, "Same for you. We were made to run and to fly." My whole face flushes with heat as those words sink in. "…and that sounded way less lame in my head."
A hand ruffles my hair, "that's my Faith!" And the Doctor kisses my forehead, "born to fly through the stars!"
"Ahh! Shut up! Don't repeat it!" I slap at his arm as he starts to laugh, only for him to dodge my flailing hands and ruffle my hair again. "Hey!" I squawk.
He ignores me. Scooping Melody and Rory into his arms, "Okay kids! That's enough crying. Faith is back, safe, sound, and brilliant!" and spinning them around, he asks, "You didn't actually think they'd get her, did you?"
"No!" Rory laughs despite himself as the Doctor spins them again.
"Of course not!" Melody states, wiping at her eyes with a haughty sniff.
"Of course not!" The Doctor repeats, winking at me, "She's Faith. Tell you what, let's go bother Jack and his team! You see that fountain? Want to find the secret entrance or the super secret secret main entrance?"
Mels and Rory share a look, "I'll find one and you find the other!" They both shout, wriggling out of the Doctor's arms and running off.
"Faith." Arms wrap around me, gold hair tickling my face, even as the Doctor objects.
"Hey!"
"are you alright?" Dark blue eyes meet mine briefly before glaring up at the Doctor. "What did you do to her?"
I push out of Alex's arms, "he didn't do anything to me. I'm fine."
Alex sighs in exasperation, "this just proves my point. His life is dangerous. Why don't you just stay with me where it's safe. Come home Faith."
"Alex. Stop." I throw him a look. We already talked about this. "It's not like that."
"You were terrified!"
"And now I'm not! It wasn't his fault!"
"Hello." The Doctor cuts in between us, with a wave of his hand, subtly pushing me behind him. "Sorry not sure if you've met me yet. I'm—"
"The Doctor. Yes, I know of you." Alex glares— standing on tip toe to be nose to nose with the Doctor, "And that's exactly why I don't think you should have Faith traveling with you."
Puffing my cheeks out, I kick Alex in the leg and wander off towards the kids.
"Ow! Faith, what was that for??" He asks, sounding like I just betrayed him.
Viva la revolution.
"Nothing. Just felt like it." Because you aren't listening to me.
"Ooh, She only does that when she's cross." The Doctor snickers, both men falling in behind me.
There's a bit of a scuffle as I walk away, and in which I think I hear 'I know how she likes to be treated!' And 'well, you're obviously not doing it right.' But I don't turn back around.
"Ok! Rory, Mels!" I pick each up in turn and spin them around, much like the Doctor, but with less strength and more effort, earning a shriek from Mels that she's too old for that—never mind that the Doctor already did it—
—and a hug and kiss on the cheek from Rory, the little angel he is—which has my heart melting into a puddle of goo. "I know you're not feeling good, even if I can't feel it myself. Get better soon, ok?" He whispers in my ear as I set him down.
"That's right. We don't like when your eyes are all sad. Cheer up." Mels adds, holding onto my hand as Rory takes the other. And I realize my hearing has dulled to where I expected her not to be able to hear Rory's words.
"I'll try. It might take some time, so you'll have to be patient with me." I tell them with a soft smile,
"Ok…." Rory starts,
"But we won't wait forever!" Mels adds, wagging a finger. "if you don't cheer up on your own, we'll make you happy."
"Melody! It doesn't work like that!" Rory yelps, looking at me like I might disappear again.
Mels huffs, "I'm just saying she better not be like Mrs.Hodgkins after her son died in the War." The words are said blithely, but her hand grips mine just a little too tight.
"….Or Mr. Rhavic after the camps." Rory adds somberly.
I shiver and take a deep breath at that haunting reminder, then steady myself. "Don't worry." I smile, "…I've got you two to cheer me up."
"…yeah." Rory says, not sounding quite convinced.
"You do." Melody finishes in the same wistful tone as we open the door to a tourist information center.
I half expect Ianto to be standing behind the desk, not that I really watched any Torchwood, but the thought is still there.
but I suppose it's too early for that, because there's an older grey haired man at the front desk. I blink, isn't that Lestrade from Sherlock?
The older man eyes us, raising an eyebrow, "What can I do for you?"
"Uh, we're here to see Jack."
The man visibly stiffens, "don't know 'im."
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Mels let's go of my hand, stomps around the counter, and jumps up and quickly glances at the desk space, much to the consternation of Mr Not-Detective-Inspector.
"Hey hey hey! You're not allowed back here little lady!"
"Nope. I'm not." Mels states cheekily, pressing several buttons, as a click is heard, a hiss, and a hidden panel slides up. "Your fault for letting me back here." And like the boss she is, Mels jumps off the countertop and waltzes to the secret entrance of Torchwood.
There's a click and my heart freezes. "Don't move!" The room fills with water, distorting everything said. Filling my lungs and ears. A bubble that surrounds no one but me.
"Oh, put that away…" that's Melody's voice. But I can't turn to see her. "Faith? What's wrong? It's just a gun."
I can't breathe. I can't breathe. ICantBreathe. My eyes won't leave the gun. I know what's going on but I can't stop it. I'm back. I'm back in that place.
Then there's a pair of feet in front of me… when did my knees buckle?
"Hey Stanley, they're with me. Stand down." That's Jack's voice.
A hand claps me on the shoulder and I jump, meeting the Doctor's green eyes. "You alright?"
I twitch my head, "No." I clap a hand over my mouth, "I'm gonna be sick."
His eyes widen and in a whirlwind I'm yanked up and crouched over a trash bin, my hair held back from my face as I heave.
"Oof. You ok there, Fae-girl?" That's Jack again.
I glance over at him before spitting in the trash and wiping my mouth.
He cringes, "Wasn't how I planned to meet up with you guys, but…" and he turns to the Doctor, eyebrows scrunched, "Doctor, you really shouldn't take her out if she's coming down with something again. That's no fun for anyone, let alone Fae." He pats my back and I balefully spit one last time into the trash bin, wrinkling my nose at the smell and taste left in my mouth.
A cup of water appears and I look up at the Not-Detective "Sorry for the scare, kid." He says gruffly, "Here"
I blink, but take the water. I'm at least 20 years older than this guy. Weird.
"…Thanks." Man, how time flies.
"So, what brings you here? I haven't seen Faith since 1869." Jack asks, leading us further into Torchwood.
Even as Mels and Rory act the age that they look; oohing and ahhing at everything as they wander off ahead of us.
"Notice you got a bit of work done. What's with the new face? And kids? They aren't yours, are they?"
"Jack! No not ours! And yes! Look! New face—" the Doctor opens his mouth as if to emphasize that point, "oh! And new Faith! New new Faith!" He grins, pointing at me and then giddily stage whispers "she isn't even one hundred yet!"
I roll my eyes, but smile at his antics, which only makes his smile grow bouncing on his feet, even as his eyes twinkle with concern. "Yes, new face. New Doctor. Now, reason. Topic. Go." I remind.
"Of course." He claps his hands together before pulling me into a side hug. "So here's the deal—" he breaks off and looks at me, "deal's kind of a weird word isn't it? What other word can I use instead? Situation? Problem?" I raise an eyebrow and he wrinkles his nose, "your right. Those are level 11 words and this is a 3. Maybe a 2… sort of a 9."
"Doctor." I interrupt.
"Right, yes. Will do. The deal is, Faith here is from right before your timeline and needs to get back to, well, me. But I already know what happens because she told me what happens—sort of. So basically Faith and the kids need a safe place to stay."
That's when Stanley comes over, pointing back the way he just came, "Uhh sorry to interrupt, but there's some woman named 'River Song' on the phone asking for you, 'Captain', what should I tell her?"
Jack glances at all of us, "River? Doc, do you know her?"
"Oops." The Doctor mumbles, and I facepalm, "Guess we got here a bit early. Sorry."
Jack gives him a look before going to the phone, "Hello. Miss River Song, I presume." A pause, "the Base? Alright, got it 1986."
Jack shoots the Doctor another look as he hangs up. "1986?? Doctor it's 1969! Who even was that woman!"
"It's not that far off, is it?" The Doctor asks. Not answering who River is, but eyes drifting to Melody regardless.
"I hope you mean by Tardis, because that's 17 years."
"Actually no, that's uh, my fault… I caused a circular paradox there when I first…" appeared? Apparated? Universe jumped? "…arrived. I need to give a letter to myself, and the Tardis doesn't want to go anywhere near the place, so we're taking the long way around." Not to mention none of us trusted the Doctor's driving, and unanimously voted that staying within one time stream was a better idea than leaving it to a Tardis with a faulty navigation system, sorry Beautiful, but you've got a long-standing track record.
…Not to mention that it took two extra months after I decided to head back for us to actually get the date right.
"Oh come on! Fae-girl! You know better!"
"Well sorry!" I throw my hands up, "apparently I don't! And hey, I'm pretty mad at my future self too for this stupid—" I freeze mid rant, blanking out, "Oh my gosh I am my future self now. I have become the thing I hate."
"It happens to all of us eventually" the Doctor states semi-seriously, clapping me on the shoulder. "Well, not all of us, but still."
"Stupid time travel." I mumble… catching sight of Mels holding something she most certainly should not have. "Hey! Mels! Drop that laser gun!"
"What?! I had the safety on!" Regardless, she does drop the gun.
"I don't care," I roll my eyes, and move the gun, and a few other dangerous odds and ends up to a higher shelf. "It's still a weapon and should be treated with—"
"—the caution and respect a weapon deserves. Yes. I know." Mels drawls, losing interest in the salvage space and Jumping down some stairs to see what Rory is up to. "Jeez, you're always so jumpy around weapons. Not like I'm gonna kill you or anything."
"Better safe than sorry." I chide, falling into the familiar bickering, even though it feels slightly stilted. Something unnoticeable just slightly out of sync.
"I'll go keep an eye on them." Alex murmurs, giving Jack a suspicious glance.
Jack being, well, Jack— Winks at him.
Only causing Alex's frown to grow more pronounced as he passes by. "Mels— Rory! Don't you dare touch any of those buttons. I don't care if you already know what they do or not!"
"So since we can't go give myself the stuff for 17 years, what'll we be doing until then?" I ask, changing the subject as I look between Jack and the Doctor, even as my shoulders hunch at the thought of not being at the farm— our home for so many years.
I meet Jack's eyes for a moment, but I can't keep eye contact with him for more than a few seconds. Just catching how his smirk drops into a contemplative frown.
"Well, you can stay here in Cardiff with me. I haven't been back to that old house since my wife passed away about 20 years ago. You sure you're alright Fae?"
I blink, "yeah I'm fine— that's not important— what do you mean wife?? House? You got married??"
"Oh right! I forgot to tell you with the whole meet and greet." Jack says, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "I bought your 'Home Base'. Spent quite a few years there actually. Even raised some kids of my own." He glances down at Rory and Mels, who are playing monkey in the middle with what looks suspiciously like a plasma stun grenade and an increasingly flustered Alex. "All grown up now, though."
"You got married??" The Doctor echos me, "kids? Like—like a bunch of mini Jacks? All on the loose??"
Jack laughs, "you know it! Taught them everything I know!" He grins, "or most of it, anyways."
I give Jack a disbelieving smile, "so that— in 1869?"
Jack sheepishly rubs the back of his neck, "yeah. Remembered some of Rose's stories from that and thought it wouldn't hurt to meet her… of course I got the timing a bit backwards and…"
"Wait, with Gwyneth?" The Doctor wrinkles his nose, "you were there??"
"Yup. Can't get rid of me that easily." He jabs a finger in my direction, "even met up with ol' Fae-girl here." He glances over the railing, "and Angel-boy down there too. Bit of a retouch himself. Little less angry stone death trap."
Alex glares up, and I realize that Jack has a hand on my shoulder, which is quickly removed. "Well, less stone— except that face… No wings anyway." Jack grins, and I notice Mels grin down below too before whispering something in Alex's ear.
"Hey! He has ice cream in the fridge down here!" Rory calls and my attention is immediately off whatever Jack and the Doctor start talking about.
There's a freezer to raid.
So I bolster some energy into my steps, bouncing down the stairs, I dance around Mels, bopping both her and Alex on the head along the way and spin Rory around as I enter the kitchen.
It's not long before all the others enter the, now crowded, kitchen too.
"you'll die early if you keep eating junk." Jack offhandedly says as he hypocritically pops another bite of ice cream into his own mouth
"pff, I'm gonna outlive all of y'all." I state drolly, spinning my bar stool a bit and pointing with my spoon, before taking another bite. Specifically eyeing the present immortal and near-immortal company I'm with in challenge.
"You really should be careful." Alex offers, even as he eats his own portion. "You've been through an ordeal."
"Oh? The old man's giving advice? Gotten over your jealousy?" Mels elbows his side good naturedly with a Cheshire grin.
"I'm just saying." Alex responds.
I roll my eyes. "I'm fine."
"Mels, Rory, how long have you looked like that?" The Doctor asks out of the blue,
Mels and Rory look at each other and shrug, "Why?"
"Faith said 64. That means she's been in the past 44 years— have you been with her that whole time?"
"Yeah?" Rory answers, "but why does that matter?"
"You both look far too young. The first hundred years are usually similar to humans. So why haven't you aged?"
They shrug again, "Faith doesn't age, and Alex wants to look older anyway. Why should we grow up?" Rory asks, glancing between the Doctor and I hesitantly.
The Doctor rounds on Alex, "And you didn't think to do anything about that?"
"And what would you have me do? Don't tell me you've forgotten that's part of our physiology—"
"Defense. Yes. I know. Blend in and match aging with the dominant species of a planet until maturity. You didn't think to get them some friends their own age?"
"Excuse me!" Mels juts our her lip, "we are our own age and we're all friends! We didn't want anyone else. Except Princess Alphadetria, and she hasn't aged much over the years either."
"Uh, hey Doctor? Where are you going after this?" I cut in, hopefully changing the subject. The discussion sounds far too close to 'So when are you going to go to 'Real' School?' —always an uncomfortable experience.
Thankfully it works, and the Doctor's surprisingly intense green eyes are on me in an instant. "What makes you think I'm going anywhere?"
I tilt my head, not sure how to respond when he's looking at me like that. "You're always going somewhere. That's just how you are."
"Maybe this time I'll stay." He steps forward, closing the distance between us. "We could go on trips. Together. I've got time. And even if I didn't, I'd make time."
"Not without us!" Mels butts in, pushing the Doctor away with a pout.
"Yeah. We're precious." Rory adds in with a nod. Even as Jack uses a napkin to wipe some ice cream off his nose and cheek.
"I'm sure he wouldn't even imagine leaving you two behind." Alex drawls, making Jack snort.
"Yeah, no way he'd do that."
Is that sarcasm I taste in the air? Ah yes. I think it is.
"Hey hey! You don't hear Faith saying anything!" The Doctor whines, and all eyes focus on me again.
I just shrug, putting down my empty bowl. "I like adventures… But I also like sitting around, preferably doing art and watching a really really long tv show. I can't really have both at once."
"That's not what you said last week." Mels says cheekily before blinking doe eyes and half-swooning. "Oh my Doctor! When will you come back, so we can travel stars together again..!" Darn you Mels.
"It wasn't last week." My cheeks burn as all eyes fall on me, "he's not mine, and I didn't say it like that either!" Mels laughs even as I slap at her arm to make her stop, doing the same to Jack as he joins in.
Mels skips over to a pouting Alex and nudges him with her elbow, "oh c'mon! I bet you'd love to go on an adventure with the Doctor! You know oh so much about him!"
Now it's Alex's turn to go beat red, "I-I do not! He's annoying and just happens to be all over the place! It's impossible not to notice him!" For a who-knows-what-millenia-old person, Alex sure is expressive. Must come from not being able to express your emotions in the moment for so long.
Mels grins, "So you notice him! Oh senpai!" She bursts out laughing again, running from Alex who's trying to shut her up before she says anything even more embarrassing….
I regret introducing Mels to anime and the internet in general.
"Oh! Before you leave! I need to pick some things up! Doctor, can you help me go get them? Most of it's at the farm house, and the Tardis should have the rest."
"Why are you so certain I'm leaving?" The Doctor pouts, but that melts into an eye roll when I blink puppy-dog-eyes up at him, "alright you lot, we'll be back in a mo." And he takes my hand and we run.
"So what are we going to get?"
"Oh, some funds, tea, a book… oh what else was in there? Shoes, some outfits…? Not sure what else… oh! How do I forge documents?"
"Faith!" Of course that's what scandalizes him.
"What? I don't exist!" I defend, throwing my arms up, before another idea strikes, I should probably make fake identification for Alex and the kids too."
The Doctor sighs, getting a ladder from a cupboard that may or may not have been there a few moments ago. "Alright then let's do this right. there's a device connected to the Chameleon Circuit. Obviously we're not using the genetic manipulation part, but…." He taps out on an old typewriter and a second later something dings. "Ah ha! There we go!"
He turns to me holding a stack of papers, eyes dark, "and before you ask, your biology is unstable at the moment, so I'm afraid I can't change you fully one way or the other. You'll just have to wait. Finish cooking so to speak."
I blink, taking the papers, "why would I ask that?"
Now it's his turn to blink, "isn't that something young you is interested in? Going back to being human? I remember us talking about something like that in the Library."
I rub at my still slightly aching chest, "oh, no. Like we talked about, I've… sort of gotten over that.
He notices my movement, his eyes drifting to my hand, "I do wish you didn't have to go through this. If I could I'd take all the pain away so you didn't have to wait until regeneration."
A thrill runs through me, one that might have been fear or dread from the tip of my head all the way to my toes. Regeneration. "Yeah." I try to smile, the pain over my heart increasing slightly, "really not looking forward to that."
"Nah." The Doctor grins boyishly, tucking a fly-away behind my ear, "you handle it brilliantly, bit of a surprise— definitely don't recommend you do the same thing the next time around." He grimaces, "most suicidal, human-Time Lady I've ever— Not that I can really complain. Probably would have done the same thing the first time around if the instructors hadn't drilled the idea out of me. Actually, at one point—"
"Doctor." I grin softly, grabbing his flailing hands, and bringing him to a still, "spoilers."
"Right, yes." He takes one hand back, running it through floppy hair like he might have as Ten, "I haven't said anything to give it away yet, have I?"
"No." I pause, thinking over his rambling and what connections I could possibly make, "well, maybe? But regardless you've made me very curious."
He smiles, in that fond way this Doctor tends to that just makes my face heat up, "you're clever enough to figure it out even if I don't say anything."
"Oh stop it," I hide my burning face, "I don't know how to respond to compliments! Like thanks but ahhh!"
"Oh you love it." He pokes my cheek and I give him a look, cheeks no doubt still red. "Right. No complimenting… have I ever told you how much I like your hair?"
"Doctor!"
"What? I'm simply stating facts!" He twirls around me and boops me again, "another fact is that you look very cute when you blush."
"Doctor please stop!"
"You say that but you're smiling!"
"Doctor."
"Right, right. Zipping lips now." He does the motion and everything. Before he eyes me and undoes the zipping motion, "are you doing alright?"
I sigh, smile falling away, rubbing at my face, "yeah, I'm fine. Just…. Tired."
He frowns, guiding me to the console seat, "rest a bit. I'll put together a bag for you." He sighs, "though I don't understand why you can't just stay here until 2005. I'll get there eventually."
"Timelines don't line up." I sigh, "otherwise I'd take you up on that."
"And how do you know that?" I glance up at him, hurt by the reminder.
He winces, the look on his face saying he wishes he could take that back. "No, sorry. You're right. That was— insensitive."
I smile weakly, "and definitely not ginger."
He smiles back, eyes sad, and old, and weary. "No. Definitely not ginger. Be right back with the things." And then he runs off.
And as he disappears deeper into the Tardis, I can't help thinking, We'll both be ok. It just takes a little longer than shows or books make it out to be.
Hard work, grit, and faith, yes. But we'd keep running, we'd make it out of hell, and we'd run even further, a little broken, a little battered— healed and mended— unstoppable and alive.
And we'd be ok.
A song comes to mind, a hymn that I haven't heard in ages, one mom used to play for me as a baby to put me to sleep, one that brings to mind Kiara, and Tern, and all the others I've had to say goodbye to… so I start singing softly. The tune echoing within the Tardis. "We're marching to Zion… beautiful… beautiful Zion… we're marching upwards to Zion, that beautiful city of God…"
As for me, it will be a very long march, one filled with many friends and many adventures… so my friends and family will just have to be patient and wait a while for me to meet them again.
--
A/n omg I melt every time I read the 'don't leave us! We're precious!' Line- according to my aunt that's something my cousin actually said when he was like three or so and I found it just the cutest thing ever so I added it into my story lol!
Aaaand y'know how I'm super mean to my characters when stressed? Weeeell I was in the last few weeks of school before graduation during the writing of the first half of this lol. Aha... sorry Faith... hopefully your luck is looking up from here...? Maybe? Hopefully..? This story seriously has a mind of its own, so who knows. I certainly don't.
Thank you so much to everyone who's reading this, and stuck around and continue to review!! You guys are seriously the absolute best!! I know I keep saying it, but it's totally true!! You guys are so awesome!