Glimpses of Time
By Lumendea
Chapter Four: Amelia and Bill
AN: I'm going camping! Fresh air, but no internet or computer so there won't be a Travels in Time and Space this weekend. Sorry, it was sort of last minute so I didn't have a chance to write ahead. Hopefully, this will tide you over.
….
Bill wasn't sure why the Doctor and Rose had chosen this planet. The Doctor had raised those bushy eyebrows of his when Rose put in the coordinates and had nodded in her direction meaningfully, but Rose had just smiled. They landed soon after and Rose breezed out the door, leaving the Doctor to sigh dramatically before following her.
They were in some kind of art hall. Her jaw dropped as she stepped outside the TARDIS and looked around. In some ways, it was similar to the museums she'd seen, but it was cleaner and something about the white tiles and pale lavender walls was off. Rose was standing next to what looked like a terminal off near a wooden door.
"It's the materials," the Doctor said calmly. "They're more refined than what you're used to."
"So, not Earth?" Bill asked. Her eyes landed on what looked like a DaVinci based on her lessons with Rose. "Or the future?"
"Both," the Doctor answered. "This is the Grand Planetary Gallery of the planet Athena in the year 5207. It is the primary human colony in this sector."
"Oh," Bill whispered. "It's lovely. Is that a real DaVinci?"
"It is," the Doctor agreed. "Some great artists like him have had their work spread across the human planets in order to share the wealth of culture."
"Great," Bill said. "Bet Rose loves it here then. All this art."
"She's fond of it for multiple reasons."
"Doctor!" A sharp voice called. It was female with a Scottish accent and didn't sound happy. "So help me, if something is about to descend on my museum, I'll kill you myself!"
Bill's eyes widened as a tall woman with flaming red hair strode into the room. There was a scowl on her face, but the Doctor just grinned at her. She paused in her rage stride long enough to hug Rose tightly but kept glaring at the Doctor over Rose's shoulder.
"Why is he here?" the woman demanded. "What trouble are you bringing down on my museum now?"
"It's not always trouble," the Doctor protested. "Don't be a nag!"
"Do not try to out Scot me," the woman scolded. She stomped over and glared at the Doctor, but Bill thought she saw a hint of a smile on the woman's face. "I was born Scottish!"
"But I do it better than you," the Doctor huffed.
"You do not!"
"Children!" Rose cut in. She was trying not to laugh and shook her head fondly at them. "Honestly, you two."
"She started it," the Doctor said.
"I did not," the woman replied.
"Bill," Rose said. "This is Amelia Pond or Mia. She travels with us sometimes."
The woman's expression softened as she turned her attention towards Bill. Then she smiled and stepped forward, surprising Bill with a hug. Holding back a squeak, Bill was very aware of just how pretty the woman was.
"Nice to meet you," Mia said. Backing up, she crossed her arms and looked her over. "Still hanging around in the 21st Century?"
"It's home," Rose said. "The university is comfortable and he so enjoys having captive audiences to lecture."
"That hasn't changed," Mia laughed. "Well, as Rose said, I travel with them sometimes." Amelia flipped some of her red hair over her shoulder. "They practically raised me." She glared a little at the Doctor. "Mind you, that one wasn't so annoying then."
"Don't," Rose scolded again. "Really, sweetheart, that isn't necessary."
"You just like picking fights," the Doctor said. He was smiling a little now. "Don't you?"
Amelia was barely holding back a smile now. Her eyes were wide, but she was valiantly fighting. Rose shook her head and walked over the Da Vinci, seemingly unconcerned. Then the Doctor grinned at Amelia. The woman smiled back and threw her arms around him with a happy laugh.
"It's good to see you," Amelia said.
"You as well," the Doctor said. "Rose thought we should visit."
"Well, it has been awhile," Amelia said. Releasing the Doctor, she stepped back and studied him. "You cut your hair. Last I saw you at Christmas, you still had a bit of length to them."
"Has it been that long?" The Doctor wrinkled up his nose a little and looked towards Rose. "Darling, why did you let so much time go by?"
"Oi, don't blame her," Amelia scolded. "But seriously, the kids have been by more recently than you."
"And you're worried about me in the museum?"
"Athena has a healthy respect for the arts, my baby Melody would never hurt me that way and Jack… Jack really can behave himself."
"I disapprove of lumping Jack in with the kids," the Doctor replied. "He really isn't."
Amelia shrugged, a strand of red hair falling into her face. Bill was trying not to stare, but she was stunning. Rose rejoined them and looped her arm around the Doctor's. They shared that soft smile that Bill was becoming very familiar with. Amelia's own smile softened and she looked at the pair of them.
"Rose," Amelia said. "The new exhibit is open. I mean it isn't open," she corrected, "But it's set up."
"Fancy that," Rose said.
Amelia rolled her eyes. "Oh, so you didn't come to see me."
"Of course we did, sweetheart, but that's just an added bonus."
"Bonus, right." Amelia shook her head and reached to grab Bill's hand. "Fine then, I'm stealing this one for tea. The exhibit is upstairs."
"Thank you," Rose said sweetly.
"And you're staying for dinner."
"Wouldn't dream of leaving," the Doctor said drily.
"Just so long as you haven't got any weird tastes this time," Amelia added. Bill wasn't sure what to make of that, but it made the Doctor grimace and Amelia grinned in triumph. "And do not break my museum."
With that, she pulled on Bill's hand and led her out of the room. The next hall was much the same and she looked around rapidly, trying to catch a glimpse of the different art. Some of it was completely unfamiliar and some weren't even done on canvas or any familiar medium.
"Tea, then tour," Amelia said firmly. "I need to hear about what those two have been up to."
They reached a small side door that opened as Amelia approached. Inside it looked like any other break room and Bill released a grateful sigh. Her mind was already spinning a little. Amelia let go of her hand and gestured for Bill to take a seat at the table. She sank into a very comfortable chair and watched as Amelia busied herself making two cups of tea on a very futuristic stove.
Amelia looked human, but Bill had already learned that appearances could be deceiving. It didn't take long for Amelia to heat the water and she used actual tea leaves, humming softly. The tune was familiar, but Bill couldn't place it. Maybe one of Rose's compositions.
"So," Amelia said, putting the tea down in front of Bill. "How long have you been with them?"
"Not long," Bill answered. "I, uh, work at the university. I attended the Doctor's lectures for fun and he noticed that I wasn't a student."
"Ah," Amelia said. She nodded in understanding. "Yeah, they hate seeing wasted potential. Let me guess, they arranged something for you."
"A few things really," Bill admitted. "I get to take some classes and Rose is even teaching me the piano."
Amelia smiled fondly. "She taught me the violin."
"So when you say they raised you... are you their…" she trailed off. "I've seen your photo in their office."
"It's complicated," Amelia said. "I'm not their daughter if that's what you were trying to ask. Something happened to me as a kid and it impacted my brain. Nothing bad exactly, but it made me a bit different so they wanted to keep an eye on me. Rose wouldn't let him just kidnap me so I lived with my aunt and had sporadic trips with them growing up. It was fun and I learned a lot. After university, me and Rory, he's my husband, traveled full time with them a bit. Now we live here. I'm a curator and he's a doctor. The Doctor and Rose helped raised our children since they were a little different too. Our daughter Melody is actually in a relationship with their daughter Athena and…" Amelia glanced at her, judging her for a moment. "And a man called Jack. So they're both my parents and my daughter's in-laws. It's a bit strange, but it works for us. Rory and I go and adventures with them from time to time for fun."
"But not full time."
"No," Amelia curled her nose a little. "I love them both dearly, but at a certain point, it's odd always being around your parents. Rory and I needed a place of our own and fulfilling work."
"Where are you from then?" Bill asked. "You said you were a Scot?"
"Oh, we're from Earth," Amelia assured her. "I was born in the late 20th Century and went to school in the early 21st Century. Probably not too far off from you to be honest. That's the same era that Rose is from so they have a fondness for it."
Sitting back in her chair, Amelia smiled broadly, looking very much like the cat who caught the canary. Bill tensed, forcing a smile on her face as she braced herself.
"Oh don't look so scared," Amelia scolded. "Drink your tea! Tell me all about your adventures." She leaned forward, putting her elbows on the table. "Then we'll track down those two, give you a bit of a tour and head to my place. You can meet my husband Rory and hear some of our stories." She nodded at Bill tea. "Come on then, drink your tea."