Travelling with the Raggedy Man
Vincent and the Doctor
The Doctor, Amy and Chelsea made their way through the Musee D'Orsay in Paris, where an exhibition of the work of Vincent Van Gogh was taking place. An art expert named Dr Black was currently discussing a painting of a wheat field. "So this is one of the last paintings Van Gogh ever painted." he told his audience, "Those final months of his life were probably the most astonishing artistic outpouring in history. It was like Shakespeare knocking off Othello, Macbeth and King Lear over the summer hols. And especially astonishing because Van Gogh did it with no hope of praise or reward."
"Thanks for bringing us here." Amy said to the Doctor as they looked around the exhibition.
"You're welcome." the Time Lord replied. After loosing Rory to the time energy, he'd decided that it would be a very good idea to take his companions to places without any death or destruction and it seemed to be paying off as nothing had gone wrong and Chelsea had even started to warm up to him.
"You're being so nice to us." Amy continued, narrowing her eyes at him, "Why're you being so nice to us?"
"I'm always nice to you two." the Doctor waved her off
"If you ask me, you're being too nice." Chelsea commented, "I mean, all these you're taking us to; Pacifica, those Trojan Gardens, here... what's the game?"
"No game." the Doctor said a little too quickly, "i just thought you'd both like those places. There's nothing to get suspicious about."
"Alright, calm down, Doctor." Chelsea snorted, "I was only pulling ya leg. Tell the truth, I'm enjoying all this. It's nice not to nearly get eaten, blown up or bitten for a chance."
The trio's attention was then caught by Dr Black. "Each of these pictures now is worth tens of millions of pounds." he told everyone, "Yet in his lifetime, he was a commercial disaster. Sold only one painting, and that was to the sister of a friend. We have here possibly the greatest artist of all time, but when he died, you could've sold his entire body of work and got enough to buy a sofa and a couple of chairs." That earned a laugh from his audience. "If you follow me now..." And he led his group on to another painting.
The Doctor continued to look around until his attention was caught by a pair of boy's voices. "Who is it?" one asked his mate
"It's the Doctor." his mate replied. The Doctor spun round expectantly, only to see that the two boys were standing in front of Portrait of Dr Gachet. "He was the Doctor who took care of Van Gogh when he started to go mad." the second boy said.
"I knew that." the first boy retorted lamely
Amy suddenly grabbed the Doctor by his arm and dragged him away. "Look!" she said excitedly, "There it is, the actual one." She led him over to join Chelsea by The Church at Auvers.
"Yes." the Doctor said, examining the painting carefully, "You can almost feel his hand painting it front of you. Carving the colours into shapes... Wait a minute." he frowned, leaning in for a closer a look.
"What?" Amy asked, seeing nothing wrong.
"Well, just look at that." the Doctor said, pointing at the painting.
"What is it?" Chelsea asked
"Something not very good indeed."
"What thing not very good?" Amy asked
"Look there, in the window of the church." the Doctor instructed, pointing to the window in question.
The cousins looked and saw what appeared to be a dark figure in the window. "Is that a face?" Amy questioned
"Yes. And not a nice face at all." the Doctor said seriously, "I know evil when I see it and I see it in that window."
"Doctor, you're jumping to conclusions. For all we know, that could just be the vicar or something." Chelsea pointed out, but the Doctor was already striding off towards Dr Black.
"Excuse me, if I can just interrupt for a moment." the Time Lord said, waving his psychic paper around, "Sorry, everyone. Routine inspection, Ministry of Art and... Artiness. So, urm..."
"Dr Black." the expert introduced
"Yes, that's right." the Doctor nodded, "Do you know when that picture of the church was painted?"
"Ah, what an interesting question." Dr Black commented, "Most people..."
"I'm going to have to hurry you." the Doctor interrupted, "When was it?"
"Exactly?"
"As exactly as you can. Without a long speech if poss. I'm in a hurry."
"Well, in that case, probably somewhere between the 1st and 3rd of June."
"What year?"
"1890. Less than a year before he killed himself."
"Thank you, sir." the Doctor nodded, "Very helpful indeed. Nice bow-tie." He turned to Amy and Chelsea. "Bow-ties are cool." he said quietly, earning an amused snort from Amy and an eyeroll from Chelsea.
"Yours is very..." Dr Black began
"Oh, thank you." the Doctor cut him off, "Keep telling 'em stuff." He grabbed his two companions by the arms and began to pull them through the gallery. "We need to go."
"What about the other pictures?" Amy moaned
"Art can wait." the Doctor waved her off, "This is life and death."
"I was afraid you were gonna say that." Chelsea groaned, "Ah, well, it was good while it lasted."
"We need to talk to Vincent Van Gogh." the Doctor said as he led the two women out the door.
~8~
One quick hop through the Time Vortex later, the TARDIS materialised on a cobblestone alley in the French commune of Auvers-sur-Oise, scaring off a cat that had been lying down in the alley. The door opened and the Doctor stepped out, followed by an eager Amy and a cautious Chelsea. "Right, so here's the plan." the Doctor announced, "We find Vincent and he leads us straight to the church and our nasty friend."
"Easy peasy." Amy nodded
"Well, no. I suspect nothing will be easy with Mr Van Gogh." the Doctor said, "Now, he'll probably be in the local café. Sort of orangey light, chairs and tables outside."
"Like this?" Amy asked, showing him an image of The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles at Night in her guidebook.
"That's the one." the Doctor confirmed
"Or like that." Chelsea said, and the Doctor and Amy looked up to see the very café right in front of them.
"Yeah, exactly like that." the Doctor said and the trio walked over to the café. "Good evening." the Doctor said as he approached the owner, "Does the name Vincent Van Gogh ring a bell?"
"Don't mention that man to me." the owner grunted and walked inside.
Chelsea and Amy approached one of the waitresses. "Excuse me." Chelsea said, "Do you know Vincent Van Gogh?"
"Unfortunately." the waitress huffed
"Unfortunately?" Amy questioned, confused as to why anyone wouldn't want to know Van Gogh.
"He's drunk, he's mad and he never pays his bills." the waitress grumbled
"Good painter, though, eh?" the Doctor tried, causing the staff and patrons to all laugh rudely.
Chelsea could only shake her head in disgust at them. She remembered what Dr Black had said in the museum about Van Gogh being a commercial disaster in his lifetime. Of course, by her time, opinion on Van Gogh's work had changed and she wished she could show these fools that and shut them up.
Just then, the time travellers heard raised voices from inside the café. "Come on! Come on!" one moaned, "One painting for a drink That's not a bad deal."
The owner came striding out of the café holding a canvas in his hand and followed by a bearded ginger-haired man, Vincent Van Gogh himself. The Doctor and Amy reacted in quiet, giddy excitement while Chelsea stared at Vincent in awe. "It wouldn't be a bad deal if the painting were any good." the owner told Vincent irritably, "I can't hang that up walls. It'd scare the customers half to death." He held the canvas up, revealing it to be a self-portrait of Vincent. "It's bad enough having you here in person, let alone looming over the customers day and night in a stupid hat. You pay money or get out."
"I'll pay if ya like." the Doctor stepped in
"What?" The owner looked at him as if he'd gone mad.
"Well, if you like, I'll pay for the drink." the Doctor offered and turned to Vincent. "Or I'll pay for the painting and you can use the money to pay for the drink."
"Exactly who are you?" Vincent asked
"I'm... new in town." the Doctor replied tactfully
"Well, in that case, you don't know three things." Vincent told him, "One, I pay for my own drinks, thank you." The patrons all laughed snidely but Vincent ignored them. "Two, no one ever buys any of my paintings or they'd be laughed out of town, so if you want to stay in town, I suggest you keep your cash to yourself. And three, your friends are cute, but you should keep your big nose out of other people's business." He turned back to the owner. "Come on, just one more drink. I'll pay tomorrow."
"No." the owner insisted
"Or, on the other hand, slightly more compassionately, yes."
"Or, on the other hand, to protect my business from madmen, no."
"Or..."
"Oh, look just shut up the pair of ye." Amy cut in, then she spoke to the owner; "My cousin and I would like a bottle of wine, please, which we will then share with whomever..." She gave Vincent a meaningful look. "We choose."
"That could be good." Vincent nodded
"That's good by me." the owner conceded
"So it's settled, then." Chelsea said, and she and Amy went inside the café. The owner irritably shoved the painting in Vincent's hands and followed the two cousins.
~8~
Vincent and the time travellers were soon sat at a table inside the café, with the Doctor and Amy on one side, Chelsea and Vincent on the other. "That accent of yours." Vincent said to Amy, "You from Holland like me?"
"No." Amy said at the same time as the Doctor said "Yes."
"She means yes." the Doctor emphasised. It seemed that the TARDIS translation matrix had given Vincent a Scottish accent, hence why he thought Amy was Dutch. "So, start again. Hello, I'm the Doctor."
"I knew it!" Vincent said sharply
"Sorry?"
"My brother's always sending doctors, but you won't be able to help."
"No, he's not that sort of doctor." Chelsea told him, "I'm Chelsea, by the way, and that's Amy." She pointed to her cousin who gave a wave.
"Pleased to meet you, Chelsea." Vincent said, giving the young dark-haired woman a charming smile and looking at her in an observing way.
Chelsea's eyes shifted to a painting at Vincent's side, the unfinished La Meridienne. "That's incredible, eh, Ames?"
"Absolutely." Amy agreed, "One of my favourites."
"One of your favourite whats?" Vincent frowned, "You've never seen my work before."
"Ah, yes. One of my favourite paintings that I've ever seen." Amy said hastily, "Generally."
"Same here." Chelsea added
"Then neither of you have seen many paintings, then." Vincent sighed, "I know it's terrible."
"No, it isn't terrible." Chelsea reassured him, "We think it's amazing."
"I tried my best." Vincent shrugged, touched by the women's kindness. "Your hair's orange." he said to Amy
"Yes. So's yours." Amy replied casually
"Yes. It was more orange, but now is, of course, less." Vincent said, the he turned to Chelsea. "And your eyes are a lovely colour." he told her, "Such a pleasant mix of grey and green. Compliments your hair colour."
"Um, thanks." a flattered Chelsea replied. She was always very modest about her appearance and being complimented by Vincent Van Gogh was something she'd never expected to happen.
The Doctor then decided to cut in. "So, Vincent, painted any churches lately?" he asked, "Any churchy plans? Are churches, chapels, religousy stuff like that, something you'd like to get into? You know, fairly soon?"
"Well, there is one church I'm thinking of painting when the weather is right." Vincent replied thoughtfully
"That is very good news." the Doctor grinned
Suddenly, they heard a woman screaming nearby; "She's been murdered! Help me!"
"That, on the other hand, isn't quite such good news. Come on, everyone!" He and Amy sped off towards the door. Vincent downed the rest of his wine and he and Chelsea followed.
They ran out into alleyway where they found the body of a young woman lying on the pavement and a group of locals gathered around. "She's been ripped to shreds!" a man commented
"Please, let me look" the Doctor said, pushing through the crowd, "I'm a doctor."
"Who is it?" a woman asked, trying to peer through the crowd.
"Oh, no, no, no." the Doctor sighed as he and Vincent knelt down beside the body.
"Is she dead?" another man asked no one in particular
At that point, the young woman's mother shoved her way to the front of the crowd. "Away, all of you vultures! This is my daughter." She knelt down beside her daughter's body. "Oh, Giselle, what monster could've done this?" She pushed the Doctor away. "Get away from her!"
"Ok, ok." the Doctor reasoned as he and Vincent backed away
"Get that mad man out of here!" the mother demanded, picking up a stone and chucking it at Vincent. Mob mentality kicked in and the other citizens joined in with the stone throwing. "You bring this on us!" the mother screamed manically, "Your madness! You! He's to blame!"
The Doctor knew that there was no way to make the crowd listen to reason, so he quickly ushered Vincent and his companions away to safety around the corner. "Are you alright?" the Doctor asked Vincent.
"Yeah, I'm used to it." Vincent waved him off
"Has anything like this murder happened here before?" the Doctor asked
"Only a week ago." Vincent replied, "It's a terrible time."
"As I thought." the Doctor nodded, "As I thought. Come on, we'd better get you home."
"Where're you three staying tonight?" Vincent asked, curious about the three strangers who had shown him kindness
"Oh, you're very kind." the Doctor grinned, patting him on the shoulder, then he turned and walked off. Amy giggled and followed him. Chelsea gave Vincent an apologetic look and went after them. A puzzled Vincent put on his hat and brought up the rear.
~8~
Vincent took the trio to his house. "Dark night, very starry." the Doctor commented, looking to the sky.
"It's not much." Vincent said as he unlocked the front door of his home, "I live on my own. But you should be alright for one night. One night."
"We're going to stay with him?" Amy whispered excitedly to the Time Lords
"Until he paints the church." the Doctor confirmed
Vincent lit a lamp and hung his hat up. "Watch out, that one's wet." he warned Chelsea
"What?" Chelsea asked, then spun round to see Bedroom in Arles drying on the wall behind her. "Wow." she murmured, then followed the others inside the house.
Vincent lit another lamp to reveal that the house was full of paintings in various stages of completion. "Sorry about the clutter." he said
"Huh, you should see my house." Chelsea reassured him
"Some clutter." the Doctor commented, looking around.
"I've come to accept the only person who's going to love my paintings is me." Vincent sighed
"Wow." Amy breathed, looking at all the paintings, "I mean, really. Wow."
The Doctor examined some of the paintings, which included Blossoming Almond Tree, Prisoners Exercising (After Dore) and Wheat Field with Cypresses.
"Yeah, I know. It's a mess." Vincent said as he moved into the kitchen "I'll have a proper clear out. I must, I really must. Coffee anyone?"
"Not for me, actually." the Doctor replied
"I'm more of a tea person." Chelsea added, busy examining La Bereuse.
The Doctor peered round the doorway to see Vincent bang his mug down on Still Life: Basket with Six Oranges. "You know, you should be careful with those." the Doctor cautioned, "They're... precious."
Vincent just casually wiped the rings off the painting and plopped down on an armchair. "Precious to me." he said, "Not precious to anyone else."
"I think they're precious." Chelsea said as she and Amy joined them
"Me too." Amy agreed
"Well, you're both very kind." Vincent smiled warmly at the two women, "And kindness is most welcome."
"Right, so, this church then." the Doctor said, "Near here, is it?"
"What is it with you and the church?" Vincent asked, getting more wood for the fire
"Oh, just casually interested in it, you know." the Doctor shrugged
"Far from casual. Seems to me, you never talk about anything else." Vincent observed. "He's a strange one." he said to the women.
"Tell me about it." Chelsea snorted, "So what about you, Vincent? What are you interested in?"
"Look around." Vincent replied, gesturing around the room, "Art. It seems to me there's so much more to the world then the average eye is allowed to see. I believe, if you look hard, there are more wonders in this universe than you can ever dream of."
"You don't have to tell me." the Doctor smiled, sharing Vincent's view of the universe.
~8~
A little later, the Doctor was sat on a chair in front of fire listening to Vincent explain his love of art. "It's colour. Colour that holds the key. I can hear the colours. Listen to them. Every time I step outside, I feel nature is shouting at me. 'Come on. Come and get me. Come on. Come on! Capture my mystery!"
"Maybe you've had enough coffee now." the Doctor remarked, "How about some nice calming tea? Let's get you a cup of chamomile or something, shall we?" He then noticed that his two companions were nowhere to be seen. "Amy? Chelsea? Where're the girls?"
He got his answer when he heard a scream from outside followed by Amy yelling "CHELSEA!"
"No, no, no!" the Doctor hollered, jumping to his feet and racing outside, Vincent in hot pursuit. They got outside to find the cousins in the yard. Chelsea was kneeling on the ground and clutching her side while Amy was helping her to stand. "What happened?" the Doctor asked.
"Something hit me." Chelsea groaned, "We were looking at the paintings and something whacked me in the side."
"It's ok." the Doctor reassured, "He's gone now and we're here."
But Vincent wasn't so sure. He looked round and suddenly raised his hands in fright. "No!" he yelled
"Take it easy." the Doctor called to him, seeing that he was getting frantic and worked up "Take it easy."
"What's happening?" Amy asked as Vincent picked up a pitchfork, "What's he doing?"
"I don't know." the Doctor replied. Then Vincent suddenly began to charge towards them. "Oh, dear." the Doctor went to push the two women out of the way when Vincent just charged past them
"Run!" he shouted, lunging at thin air "Run!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's not a bad idea." the Doctor said, "Girls, get back. He's having some kind of fit. I'll try and calm him down." Amy helped Chelsea to the safety of the doorway while the Doctor approached Vincent, who was lashing out at thin air. "Easy, Vincent, easy." the Doctor tried to calm him, "Look, look, it's me." He held his hands out in front of him. "It's the Doctor, look. No one else is here. So, Vincent..."
"Look out!" Vincent warned, and something struck the Doctor from behind, knocking him to the ground.
Then everyone heard a roaring sound and something slashed a painting, leaving three claw marks in the canvas. "I can't see anything!" Amy shrieked, "What is it?"
"That is a good question." the Doctor said, jumping to his feet and grabbing a stick. "Let me help you." he said to Vincent, who was trying to fend off the invisible assailant.
"You can see him too?" Vincent asked him
The Doctor went to a completely different part of the yard and waved his stick around. "Yes. Ish. Well, no. Not really." There was another roar and the Doctor was promptly thrown back over a table, landing at Vincent's feet.
"You couldn't see him?" Vincent asked
"No." the Doctor admitted then got up and started waving his stick around again.
Vincent lunged forward with his pitchfork and managed to injure the invisible creature which promptly retreated. "He's gone." Vincent panted in relief
"Oh, right. Yes, of course." the Doctor said and threw his stick away.
~8~
Safe for now, the group retreated inside the cottage. "Right. So he's invisible." the Doctor said, "What did he look like?"
"I'll show you." Vincent said then took one of his paintings of irises and dolloped white paint all over it.
"Oh, no, no, no!" the Doctor groaned while Amy gasped and covered her mouth and Chelsea grimaced.
"What?" Vincent questioned
"It's just... That was quite a good..." the Doctor began, "Oh, never mind. On you go." So Vincent began quickly sketching with charcoal. While they waited, the Doctor turned to Chelsea. "Now then, Willows. Let's see the damage."
"I'm fine, Doctor." Chelsea waved him off, though her side felt like a car had ran into it.
"That thing did hit ye hard, Chels." Amy pointed out, "Won't hurt to check."
"Alright." Chelsea conceded and lifted her shirt up to reveal that the left side of her stomach was badly bruised. "Oh, ok. Maybe I'm not fine." she muttered
"Maybe?!" Amy raised a brow at her cousin's understatement.
The Doctor did a quick scan with his sonic screwdriver. "There's nothing broken." he told Chelsea, "But you'd better take it easy for a bit." Just then, Vincent finished his sketch, which showed an almost bird-like creature with talons and a beak, but also certain lizard-like elements. "Ok." the Doctor said, taking the sketch, "Amy, make Chelsea and Mr Van Gogh comfortable. Don't let any invisible monsters in through the front door."
"But it could be outside, waiting." Amy pointed out
"Don't worry, I'll risk it." the Doctor answered flippantly, "What's the worst that could happen?"
"You could get ripped to bits by something you can't even see." Chelsea told him flatly, "You might be able to do that regeneration thing, but you're not indestructible, Doctor."
"Fair point." the Doctor conceded, "Don't worry. I'll back before either of you can say, 'Where's he got to now?'" And with that, he left the house. Amy turned to face Chelsea and Vincent when the Doctor suddenly poked his head through the door. "Not that fast." he said loudly, making the Humans jump, "But pretty fast."
Chelsea promptly threw a discarded paint brush at him. "Get on with it." she grunted, "Or I'll kill you myself. Git."
"Oi, be nice." the Doctor pouted, then left again.
~8~
With the Doctor gone, the three Humans had no choice but to settle down and wait for his return. Presently, Chelsea went into the kitchen and rubbed her bruises with a damp cloth. As she was doing that, Vincent entered the room. "How're you feeling?" he asked her
"Been better, been worse." Chelsea replied, "Thanks, by the way. Thanks for helping us and fighting that thing off."
"You, Amy and the Doctor are kind to me. It was the least I could do." Vincent replied modestly, "I appreciate your kindness."
"You know, you should have more faith in yourself." Chelsea told him as she finished with her bruises and put her shirt back on, "We think your paintings are amazing."
"You're kind, but I know they're not." Vincent sighed, "I try my best but I know it's not good enough."
"Of course it is!" Chelsea countered, "I don't care what anyone else says, your paintings are some of the best we've ever seen. And I don't think you're mad either. Believe me, I've been in the same place you are."
"You don't seem mad to me." Vincent observed
"You're not mad, Vincent." Chelsea reassured him, "I've had depression too. You see, three years ago, my dad died and it broke me in ways that I didn't think I could be broken. I felt so alone and empty. Oh, sure, people said they were sorry for my loss and all that but they never understood. Every day just became so bleak, empty and pointless. I just couldn't cope."
"And how did you come out of your madness?" Vincent asked
"Like I said, it's not madness." Chelsea replied, "But, to be honest, I don't think I've ever gotten over it. I just have to soldier on and carry on living. I've had help. Amy and a couple of friends have all helped me and I'm in a decent place now, but I've never forgotten and I still get that empty feeling every now and then."
"What about your mother?" Vincent asked, "Did she help you?"
"My mom and I aren't really close." Chelsea replied, "When me and Amy were six, she and dad split up and she took it kinda hard. She started drinking and going out late at night, leaving me and Amy to fend for ourselves. As a matter of fact, it was on one of the nights when she was out that we first met the Doctor. Long story, not one I wanna tell." she said hastily, "But things got worse after that and when I was eight, she sent me off to live with my dad. Last time I spoke to mom was at dad's funeral and it was awkward as hell." She then realised something. "Oh, sorry. I was trying to make you feel better and I've ended up boring you with my personal problems."
"No, you haven't bored me." Vincent reassured her, "You sound like you needed to say all that."
"Yeah, s'pose I do." Chelsea shrugged, "I guess you're the first person I've met who actually understands what it's like."
"We're kindred spirits." Vincent smiled
"That we are." Chelsea laughed, "I think I'm gonna try and get some kip. Night, Vincent."
"Goodnight, Chelsea." Vincent nodded as Chelsea left the kitchen.
~8~
And and Chelsea ended up having some sleep on chairs in front of the fire. When Chelsea woke up, she could see that it had just gotten light outside and Amy was pacing around the room. Deep snoring could be heard from Vincent's bedroom. "Ah, 'bout time ye got up, Chels." Amy commented when she saw that her cousin was awake, "How can you sleep through that?"
"Ah, I'm used to living where there's loud noises." Chelsea shrugged, getting up off the chair and stretching her stiff joints. Her home in London was located close to the North London Line and at night, lots of goods trains used that line, so Chelsea was used to loud rumblings. "Anyway, you should see Mels. She can sleep through earthquakes." Chelsea said lightly, "Doctor back yet?"
"Nope. He's been gone for hours." Amy grumbled, "I hate it when he does this. Just goes off and leaves us for hours."
"You and me both, Ames." Chelsea replied, "I keep telling him to stop it but he never listens."
"Well, I've had enough of this waiting." Amy said, "I'm gonna go and find him. Should be safe now. I think that thing that attacks us only comes out at night."
"I'll come with ya." Chelsea said, "Think I could do with the fresh air."
"Hey, you gonna be alright?" Amy asked her, "How's ye side?"
"Still aching but I'll live." Chelsea replied, "Anyway, let's go."
~8~
The two cousins were soon making their way through the cobblestone streets. As they turned a corner, they suddenly ran right into the Doctor, causing all three to jump back and yelp in surprise. "Never do that!" the Doctor panted, "You scared the living daylights out of me."
"Sorry, we got bored." Amy told him, "As much as you admire his command of colour and shape, it is hard to get fond of Vincent Van Gogh's snoring."
Chelsea then noticed that the Doctor had a bizarre contraption consisting a mirror and printer strapped to his chest, the mirror aimed over his shoulder. "What's that thing?" she asked
"Something to help identify our invisible friend." the Doctor replied, "Now, come on, girls. Let's go wake up Mr Van Gogh."
~8~
Vincent was snoring up a symphony in his bed when the Doctor burst in suddenly. "Wakey, wakey. Rise and shine!" he announced, waking Vincent up, "Breakfast is served in the courtyard." He threw the window open, letting in the morning sun. Come on. And the girls have a little surprise for you."
Vincent stumbled out of bed and over to the window to see Amy and Chelsea sitting at the table, both cousins surrounded by sunflowers. "Thought we'd try and brighten things up to thank you for helping us." Chelsea called up
"Ah." Vincent nodded
"We thought you might like, ye know, possibly to paint them or something?" Amy said as the Doctor joined them at the table with food, "Might be a thought."
"Yes. They're not my favourite flower." Vincent commented
"You don't like sunflowers?" Amy raised a brow
"No, it's not that I don't like them. I find them complex. Always somewhere between living and dying." Vincent explained, touching one of the sunflowers by his window, "Half-Human as they turn to the sun. A little disgusting. But, you know, they are a challenge."
"And one we're pretty sure you'll rise to." the Doctor said, "But, moving on, there's something I need to show you."
~8~
After breakfast, the Doctor showed Vincent a print-out of the creature that was roaming around. The creature looked to be something of a cross between a rooster and a lizard. "That's him." Vincent confirmed, "And the eyes. Without mercy."
"This is a creature called a Krafayis." the Doctor explained, "They travel in space, they travel as a pack. Scavenging across the universe. Sometimes one of them gets left behind and because they are a brutal race, the others never come back. So, dotted all around the universe are individual, utterly merciless, utterly abandoned Krafayis. And what they do is... Well, kill, until they're killed. Which means they usually aren't. Because other creatures can't see them."
"But I can." Vincent pointed out
"Yes. And that's why we are in a unique position today, my friend, to end this reign of terror. So, feeling like painting the church today?"
"What about the monster?"
"Take my word for it. if you paint it, he will come."
"Ok." Vincent nodded, getting to his feet, "I'll get my things."
"In your own time." the Doctor assured him, "I promise you, we'll be out of your hair by this time tomorrow."
Vincent hesitated upon hearing that. He looked at the women, then carried on upstairs.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Doctor." Chelsea said once Vincent was out of earshot, "I mean, we're taking a big risk here."
"Risker than normal?" Amy asked
"Chelsea's right." the Doctor said, "This is the middle of Vincent Van Gogh's greatest year of painting. If we're not careful, the result of our trip could be the brutal murder of the greatest artist who ever lived. Half the pictures on the wall of the Musee D'Orsay will disappear. And it'll our fault."
"This was a mistake." Chelsea said, "There's gotta be another way of seeing this Krafayis thing."
The Doctor gave a weary sigh. "I wish there was, but there isn't." he said, "I guess we'll just have to be extra careful. I'm gonna see how he's getting on." He got up and went upstairs.
Soon, the women heard Vincent shouting and the Doctor came back downstairs. "What's happening?" Amy asked
"We're leaving." the Doctor replied, "Everyone knows he's a delicate man. Just months from now... he'll take his own life."
"Don't say that, please." Amy stared in horror
The Doctor didn't reply, he just gave the paintings a last look and headed for the door. "You were right." he said to Chelsea, "This was a mistake. Come on, we have to do this on our own. We'll go to the church at the right time and hope that the monster still shows up."
Just then, Vincent appeared in the doorway, now looking somewhat more collected. "I'm ready. Let's go." he said, picking his painting equipment.
~8~
The quarter were soon walking along a country road towards the church. Vincent, Amy and Chelsea led the way while the Doctor trailed behind. "I'm so sorry you're sad." Amy said to Vincent.
"But I'm not." Vincent replied, "Sometimes these moods torture me for weeks, for months. But I'm good now. If Amy Pond and Chelsea Willows can soldier on, then so can Vincent Van Gogh."
"That's the spirit." Chelsea smiled, "Kindred spirts." She took Vincent's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze to remind him that she understood what he was going through.
"I'm not soldering on. I'm fine." Amy frowned. She'd overheard Vincent and Chelsea's heart to heart last night and understood why they'd formed such a bond, but she wasn't like them. She had never suffered depression nor lost someone close to her, had she?
"Oh, Amy, I hear the song of your sadness." Vincent told her, "You've lost someone too, I think."
"I'm not sad." Amy said
"They why are you crying?" Vincent countered.
Amy put a hand to her cheek and wiped away a tear, a tear which she never knew she'd shed. "You alright, Ames?" Chelsea asked her
"Yeah. Dunno why I'm crying." Amy frowned
"It's alright. I understand." Vincent said empathetically
"I'm not sure I do." Amy frowned.
The Doctor understood. He realised that Amy was crying for Rory. Despite him being erased from existence, Amy evidently could still remember him subconsciously. "Ok. Ok." he spoke up, deciding to change the subject before Amy could get too worked up, "So, now we must have a plan. When the creature returns..."
Vincent stopped and turned to face him. "Then we shall fight him again."
"Well, yes, tick. But last night we were lucky." the Doctor said seriously, "Chelsea was hurt and she and Amy could've been killed. So this time, for a start, we have to make sure I can see him too."
"And how're we supposed to do that, suddenly?" Amy asked
"The answer's in this box." the Doctor replied, patting the case he was carrying, "I had an excellent, if smelly, godmother."
Then they saw a funeral procession coming the other way. "Oh, no. It's the poor girl from the village." Vincent said, taking his hat off in respect.
The quartet all stood respectfully at the side of the road as the procession passed. The mother looked at them but decided to live and let live and said nothing.
"Please tell me you've got a plan." Chelsea said to the Doctor once the procession had passed.
"No, but I've got a thing." the Doctor replied as they resumed their journey, "It's like a plan, but with more greatness."
"In other words, more likely to get us killed." Chelsea grunted, going back to join Vincent.
"You don't trust the Doctor, do you?" Vincent asked her
"Well, it's complicated, Vincent." Chelsea replied, "He makes promises then breaks them. And he's rather careless. He's nearly gotten Amy and me killed several times. I know he doesn't mean to, but it makes it hard to trust him."
"I understand." Vincent said, "You've had nothing but negative experiences with the Doctor and you can't help but see him in a negative light."
"Yeah, pretty much." Chelsea sighed as they continued with their journey.
~8~
The quartet soon reached the church and Vincent set up his easel, then sat down to paint the church. "And you'll be sure to tell me if you see any, you know, monsters?" the Doctor asked him
"Yes." Vincent rolled his eyes, "While I may be mad, I'm not stupid."
"You're not mad, Vincent, I keep telling you." Chelsea reassured him, "And ya definitely not stupid."
"I don't think you're mad, either." the Doctor said, "It seems to me depression is a very complex..."
"Shh." Vincent cut in, "I'm working."
"Well, yes. Paint." the Doctor conceded, "Do painting!"
~8~
A few hours later, Vincent had outlined the church and was just painting the sky. "I remember watching Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel." the Doctor rambled, "Wow! What a winger. I said to him, 'If you're scared of heights, you shouldn't have taken the job."
"Shh!" Amy shushed him.
~8~
Later, more detail had been added to the church and Vincent had turned his attention back to the sky. "And Picasso." the Doctor continued to ramble, "What a ghastly old goat. I kept telling him, 'Concentrate, Pablo. It's one eye, either side of the face.'"
"Shut up, Doctor." Chelsea hissed, having had enough of the Doctor's pointless stories.
~8~
By nightfall, Vincent was halfway done with the painting. "Is this how time normally passes?" the Doctor moaned, squatting down on the grass, "Really slowly. In the right order." He got to his feet. "If there's one thing I can't stand, it's an unpunctual alien attack."
"Are you ok?" Amy asked him, "You seem a bit, if I didn't know better, I'd say nervous."
"There's something not right." the Doctor said seriously, "And I can't quite put my finger on it."
"There!" Vincent yelled suddenly, "He's at the window."
"Where?" the Doctor asked, staring intently at the church.
"There, on the right." Vincent told him, pointing to one of the windows, the very same window where they'd seen the Krafayis in the painting.
"As I thought." the Doctor nodded. "I'm going in."
"I'm coming too." Vincent said, getting to his feet.
"No." the Doctor said immediately, "You're Vincent Van Gogh. No."
"But you're not armed." Vincent pointed out
"I am." the Doctor countered
"What with?"
"Overconfidence, this and a small screwdriver." the Doctor replied, patting the case, "I'm absolutely sorted. Just have to find the right crosactic setting, and stun him with it. Sonic never fails. Anyway, girls, one simple instruction; don't follow me under any circumstances."
"We won't." Amy replied
The Doctor gave the Humans a thumbs up and headed towards the church.
"Will she follow him?" Vincent asked Chelsea, gesturing to Amy.
"Unfortunately, my cousin has a habit of automatically doing the opposite of everything anyone tells her to do, so yes, she will follow him." Chelsea replied knowingly.
"Oi!" Amy grumbled. "Has he moved?" she asked Vincent
"No, just shifted to the next window." Vincent replied, "But, wait! He's turning now."
"Which way?" Chelsea asked
"He's heading towards the Doctor." Vincent replied
Next moment, they heard the Doctor yelling followed by a crash. "Doctor!" Amy cried and rushed towards the church.
"Amy!" Vincent warned, hurrying after her
"Here we go again." Chelsea muttered to herself as she brought up the rear.
Amy entered the building to see the Doctor backing up, flashing his sonic about in an attempt to stun his invisible opponent. "Doctor!" Amy cried as she reached him
The Doctor nearly jumped out of his skin. "Argh! I thought I told you... Never mind. We'll talk about it later. Quick, in here." He ushered Amy into a confessional then he took refuge in the other side. "Absolutely quiet." he whispered to Amy as he heard the Krafayis growling outside. He then heard Amy breathing heavily on the other side so he slid the grille over to talk to her. "Can you breath a little quieter, please?" he grumbled
"No!" Amy whispered back, lifting the curtain to peer around the room. "I think he's gone past."
"Shh." the Doctor urged, not so sure they were in the clear. Sure enough, something then smashed in Amy's side of the confessional, causing her to scream. "I think he heard us." the Doctor commented as the Krafayis then proceeded to rip out the grating in his side too. "That's really impressive hearing he's got." Another chunk of the confessional was ripped out. "What's less impressive are our chances of survival."
"Hey, are you looking for me, sonny?" Vincent's voice called out suddenly and the Doctor and Amy peered out to see him brandishing a chair like a lion tamer, Chelsea standing behind him. "Come on, over here." Vincent baited the Krafayis, "Because I'm right here waiting for you."
"Come on, quickly!" Chelsea called to the Doctor and Amy, "Get behind us!"
The Doctor and Amy didn't need telling twice and they quickly raced out of the wrecked confessional and huddled up behind Vincent and Chelsea, then the Doctor flashed his sonic in the general direction of the Krafayis. "Doing anything?" he asked as they backed away.
"No." Vincent replied
"Where is he?" the Doctor asked, looking around the room.
"Where do you think he is, you idiot?!" Vincent retorted, seeing the Krafayis advancing towards them, "Use you head!"
The Doctor tried his sonic again. "Doing anything?"
"Nothing." Vincent shook his head as they moved apart, "In fact, he seemed to rather enjoy it. Duck." he warned the Doctor, "Left." The Doctor ducked left, only to be hit by an invisible blow that sent him flying into the wall. "Right, sorry." Vincent said as the Time Lord recovered, "Your right, my left."
"Oh, this is no use." Chelsea groaned, "Let's just retreat and regroup."
"In here." Amy agreed, leading them into another room.
Together, the quarter tried to push the door shut but Vincent saw that the Krafayis' foot was propping it open so he stomped on the foot, causing the creature to withdraw and allow the quartet to slam the door shut. "Right." the Doctor panted, "Ok, here's the plan. Amy, Chelsea, Rory..."
"Who?" Amy asked
"Sorry, um, Vincent." the Doctor winced at his slip
"What's the plan?" Chelsea asked, getting him back on topic.
"I don't know, actually." the Doctor admitted, "But in future, I'm just using this screwdriver for screwing in screws." He put his sonic away.
Vincent then decided to take matters into his own hands. "Give me a second. I'll be back." he said and hurried away.
"I suppose we could try talking to him." the Doctor said to the women
"Talking to him?!" Amy stared
"Well, yes." the Doctor replied, "Might be interesting to know his side of the story."
The Krafayis growled on the other side of the door. "I don't think he particularly wants to talk right now, Doctor." Chelsea hissed
"Well, no harm trying." the Doctor told her then turned to face the door. "Listen. Listen!" he called, "I know you can understand me. Even though I know you don't understand why you can understand me. I also know that no one's talked to you for a pretty long time, but please... listen. I also don't belong on this planet. I am also alone. If you trust me, I'm sure we can come to some kind of, ya know, understanding. And then, and then, who knows?"
There was a moment of silence, then the window behind the trio shattered, meaning the Krafayis was trying to get in that way. Vincent then returned with his easel. "Over here!" he called to the trio, who all took refuge behind him.
"What's it up to now?" the Doctor asked him
"It's moving round the room." Vincent replied, "Feeling it's way around." He and the women took refuge behind a sarcophagus while the Doctor hid behind a column.
"What?" the Time Lord called
"It's like it's trapped. It's moving around the edges of the room." Vincent commented as he watched the Krafayis moving around.
"I can't see a thing." Amy grumbled. This was the forest on the Byzantium all over again.
"I am really stupid." the Doctor said suddenly as something dawned on him.
"Oh, for God's sake. Is now the time to start having self-doubt?" Chelsea grumbled
"No, I am really stupid and I'm growing old." the Doctor said as he joined the Humans behind the Sarcophagus, "Why does it attack, but never eat it's victims? And why was it abandoned by it's pack and left here to die? Why is it feeling it's way helplessly around the walls of the room?"
"Enlighten us." Chelsea muttered
"It can't see, it's blind." the Doctor explained, "That explains why it has such perfect hearing."
"Which unfortunately also explains why it is now turning around and heading straight for us." Vincent warned, stepping forward with the sharp ends of his easel out like a weapon.
"Vincent. Vincent, what's happening?" the Doctor asked
"It's charging now." Vincent replied, "Get back. Get back!" He could see the Krafayis charging straight towards them, so he lunged forward with his easel and stabbed the creature with it. The Krafayis bellowed in pain and anger and grabbed him. Vincent let go and fell to the floor. To the Doctor and the women, the easel was suspended in mid-air, but Vincent could see that it was imbedded in the Krafayis' chest. "He wasn't without mercy at all." he breathed, "He was without sight. I didn't mean that to happen. I only meant to wound it, I never meant too..."
"It's alright, Vincent." Chelsea reassured him, "You were just defending yourself."
"He's trying to say something." the Doctor realised and knelt down by where he realised the Krafayis' body was.
"What is it?" Vincent asked
"I'm having trouble making it out, but I think he's saying, 'I'm afraid. I'm afraid.'" the Doctor replied and reached out to stroke the body. "There, there. It's ok." he soothed, "You'll be fine. Ssh." He then felt the Krafayis go limp, meaning it had succumbed to it's wounds.
"He was frightened... and he lashed out." Vincent realised, "Like Humans, who lash out when they're frightened. Like the villagers who scream at me. Like the children who throw stones at me."
"Sometimes winning... winning is no fun at all." the Doctor sighed, then he mournfully left the room.
~8~
Later that night, the quartet were lying in a circle in a field with their heads together. "Try to see what I see." Vincent said, "We are so lucky we are still alive to see this beautiful world." He took Chelsea's hand. "Look at the sky. It's not dark and black and without character. The black is in fact a deep blue." He pointed with his free hand. "And over there, lighter blue." He let go of Chelsea's hand and made a sweeping motion. "And blowing through the blueness and blackness, the wind swirling through the air and then, shining, burning, bursting through... the stars! Can you see how they roar their light? Everywhere we look, the complex magic of nature blazes before our eyes."
As Chelsea listened to him, she suddenly saw the night sky above morph into Starry Night. "Wow." she breathed, understanding Vincent's artistic mindset.
The Doctor seemed to understand too. "I've seen many things, my friend." he said to Vincent, "But you're right. Nothing quite as wonderful as the things you see."
Vincent then took Chelsea's hand again and Amy's too. "I will miss you both terribly." he said
"And I'll miss you too." Chelsea sighed.
~8~
Next morning, the time travellers were preparing to leave. "I only wish I had something of real value to give you." Vincent said to the Doctor, offering him Self-portrait with Straw Hat.
"Oh, no, no." the Doctor laughed, "I could never accept such an extraordinary gift."
"Very well." Vincent conceded, "You are not the first to decline such an offer." He turned to Amy. "Amy, the blessed, the wonderful." He threw his arms out and Amy hugged him.
"Be good to yourself and be kind to yourself." she said, kissing him on the cheek.
"I'll try my best."
"And maybe give the beard a little trim before you next kiss someone." Amy laughed
"I will. I will." Vincent replied and turned to Chelsea. "Chelsea, you are kind and beautiful. Thank you for everything."
"And you too." Chelsea replied, then hugged him. "I'll never forget you, Vincent." she whispered, "Please take care of yourself."
"And you yourself." Vincent replied as they broke apart, "And if you ever tire of Amy and this Doctor of yours, return. And we will have children by the dozen." Chelsea blushed at the offer. Vincent then turned back to the Doctor. "Doctor, my friend." They shook hands. "We have fought monsters and won. On my own, I fear I may not do as well."
The Doctor could only look at him sadly, knowing what was coming.
~8~
"I wish there was something we could for him." Chelsea sighed as the trio left the house.
The Doctor suddenly stopped in his tracks as he had a flash of inspiration. "Oh, of course." he stared, "Why I didn't I think of it before?" He turned back towards the house. "Vincent!" he shouted and a shirtless Vincent poked his head out of the upstairs window. "Got something I'd like to show you." the Doctor called up to him, "Maybe just tidy yourself up a bit."
~8~
Once Vincent was dressed, he joined the trio outside and they led him through the alleyways to where the TARDIS was parked. "Now, you know we've had quite a few chats about the possibility there might be more to this life then normal people imagine?" the Doctor began, only to stop short with a sigh when he saw that the TARDIS was covered in posters.
"Yes." Vincent answered
"Well, brace yourself, Vinny." the Doctor said, using his key to slice a crack between the doors then he opened them and went inside the box, the women following him.
Vincent curiously followed them in and his eyes widened as he saw the vast, futuristic-looking console room inside. "How come I'm the crazy one and you three have stayed sane?" he blustered. The Doctor just laughed and took his hat off, tossing it to the side, then everyone took their places by the main console. "What do all these do?" Vincent asked, gesturing to all the buttons, levers, switches and knobs that peppered the console.
"Oh, a huge variety of things." the Doctor replied, "This one here for instance, plays soothing music." He turned a knob and Bat Outta Hell started playing. "While this one makes a huge amount of noise..." the Doctor continued, pressing a button that caused a distorted noise to sound. "And this one makes everything go tonto." He pulled the lever that controlled the dematerialisation circuit, thus setting the TARDIS into motion.
"Sorry about the rough ride, Vincent." Chelsea called over the noise, "There are stabilisers, but he doesn't like using 'em."
"Cos' they're boring." the Doctor retorted
"And what does this one?" Vincent asked, gesturing to another button.
"That's a friction contrafilbulator." the Doctor replied
"Designed by Edmund Blackadder evidently." Chelsea commented dryly
"Nice." Vincent nodded, "Come on. Back to the café, and you can tell me about all the wonders of the universe."
"Good idea. Although, actually, there's a little something we'd like to show you first." the Doctor replied, setting co-ordinates.
~8~
The last of the posters burned off the TARDIS as the box materialised outside the Musee D'Orsay. The door opened and the quartet stepped out. "Where are we?" Vincent asked
"Paris, 2010AD." the Doctor replied, "And this is the mighty Musee D'Orsay, home to many of the greatest paintings in history."
"Oh, that's wonderful." Vincent nodded, then stared at two boys with MP3 players that were walking past
"Ignore that." the Doctor said, "We've got something more important to show you."
He led them into the museum. Vincent looked around in awe, especially when they reached the Van Gogh exhibit. He couldn't believe that his paintings were here.
Then they saw Dr Black walk past. "Dr Black." the Doctor called to him, "We met a few days ago. I asked you about Church at Avers."
"Oh, yes." Dr Black nodded, "Glad to be of help. You were nice about my tie."
"Yes, and today is another cracker if I may say so. But I just wandered, between you and me, in 100 words, where do you think Van Gogh rates in the history of art?"
"Well, big question." Dr Black said thoughtfully, "But, to me, Van Gogh is the finest painter of them all. Certainly, the most popular, greatest painter of all time, the most beloved. His command of colour, the most magnificent. He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty. Pain is easy to portray, but to use your passion and pain to portray the ecstasy and joy and magnificence of our world... no one had ever done it before. Perhaps no one ever will again. To my mind, that strange, wild man who roamed the fields of Provence was not only the world's greatest artist, but also one of the greatest men who ever lived."
Vincent had steadily been tearing up during Dr Black's praises of him and finally burst out crying. Chelsea put her arm around him, knowing why he was crying. The Doctor came over. "Vincent, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Is it too much?"
"No." Vincent smiled, "These are tears of joy." He went over to Dr Black and gave him a gallic kiss "Thank you, sir. Thank you." And he hugged the bemused expert
"You're welcome." Dr Black said awkwardly, "You're welcome."
"Sorry about the beard." Vincent said as he backed off towards the time travellers.
~8~
The TARDIS materialised in an olive field near Auvers and the quartet stepped out. "This changes everything." Vincent said cheerfully, "I'll step out tomorrow with my easel on my back a different man. I still can't believe that one of the haystacks was in the museum. How embarrassing."
"It's been a great adventure and a great honour." the Doctor smiled, shaking his hand.
"You've turned out to be the first Doctor ever to actually make a difference in my life."
"I'm delighted. I won't ever forget you." the Doctor replied, then stepped back to let the women say their goodbyes.
"And you're sure marriage is out of the question?" Vincent asked Chelsea
"For now, yes." Chelsea replied, "I was in a relationship a while ago and it didn't work out. I don't think I'm ready yet to take the plunge again. But it was an honour to meet you. And remember what I said. You're not mad, you're a brilliant genius." And she hugged him one last time. "Kindred sprits." she said when they broke apart.
"Kindred spirits." Vincent smiled, then moved on to say goodbye to Amy.
~8~
After they'd finished their goodbyes, the women returned to the TARDIS. "Thank you for doing that for Vincent." Chelsea said to the Doctor, "That was a very nice thing to do."
"Well, what can I say, I'm a nice person." the Doctor shrugged, "I know you like to think the worst in me, but I am capable of being nice when I'm allowed to be."
"Yeah." Chelsea said shortly. This adventure had caused her to look at the Time Lord in a new light. Instead of the careless, immature man-child she'd been viewing him as ever since Starship UK, she now saw him as a complex and empathetic father-figure.
"So, where to next?" the Doctor asked
"Let's go back to the gallery." Amy suggested eagerly, "Right now!"
~8~
The TARDIS rematerialised outside the Musee D'Orsay again and Amy and Chelsea hurriedly exited while the Doctor followed at a more leisurely pace. "Time can be rewritten." Amy cheered, "We know it can. Come on!" And the trio entered the gallery again. "Oh, the long life of Vincent Van Gogh." Amy smiled, "There'll be hundreds of new paintings."
"I'm not sure there will." the Doctor said quietly
The women rushed into the Van Gogh exhibition, only to find the exact same paintings that had been there before. "We have here the last work of Vincent Van Gogh, who committed suicide at only 37." Dr Black was telling a group, "He is now acknowledged to be one of the foremost artists of all time. If you follow me now..."
"So it was for nothing." Chelsea sighed as the Doctor joined them, "We made no difference whatsoever."
"I wouldn't say that." the Doctor said wisely, "The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. Hey, the good things don't always soften the bad things. But, vice verse, the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant. And we definitely added to his pile of good things. And if you look carefully..." He led them over to Church at Auvers. "Maybe we did indeed make a couple of little changes."
"No Krafayis." Amy noted
"No Krafayis." the Doctor confirmed, "But if you look carefully..." He pointed to a corner of the painting and the cousins saw a dark-haired woman in the painting.
"But that's..." Chelsea breathed, realising that Vincent had put her in the painting.
"And that's not all." the Doctor continued, and led them over to Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers. On the vase in the painting was Vincent's signature and the signature said; 'For Amy and Chelsea. Kindred spirits.'
"If you and him had got married, ye kids would have his hair and your eyes." Amy remarked to Chelsea
"Kindred spirits." Chelsea laughed
"Kindred spirits." Amy confirmed, and the trio settled down to admire Vincent's work.
Author's notes: And that's series 5's best episode completed. Gotta say, this one I was looking forward to adapting. Chelsea's bond with Vincent was something I had planned since the start of this story. I feel that them being kindred spirits makes sense given Chelsea's past and Vincent was the ideal person for her to confide in and befriend. This chapter also marks a turning point in Chelsea's relationship with the Doctor in that she's starting to see him in a more positive light now. Don't worry, she'll still call him out when he's in the wrong, but they'll be on much more friendlier terms now. Also note that more of Chelsea's life and backstory has been revealed now. My preferred mode of operation is to flesh out OCs gradually, thus letting their personalities and backstories develop themselves. Hope this approach is alright with everyone. So, I hope this new chapter makes the grade and see ya next time!