The Doctor and Peri had just finished a long walk. The Eye of Orion
was supposed to be the most tranquil place in the universe but it did not
bring peace for the Doctor. He had brought Tegan here once, to share with
her one of the true wonders of the universe. As always danger had found
them.
"What's wrong Doctor? You always seem so preoccupied lately."
"I'm sorry Peri. Have a lot on my mind. Do you have any regrets in your life."
"None that really matter I guess."
"Not even travelling with me?"
"Ar e you kidding? This is great," she exclaimed grabbing his arm and smiling. The smile was genuine and infectious. The Doctor couldn't help but smile as well.
Hours later the smile had faded as he sat under a tree in the cool night air. Peri had turned in hours ago. He took Tegan's journal from his pocket and pressed the review button.
"Entry 5"
Well our latest adventure had a rather tragic ending with the death of George Cranleigh. Poor Anne. She and Nysaa share much more than their looks. They have both lost so much in their lives. I wonder if I have a twin somewhere in the universe. I was surprised the Doctor wanted to stay for the funeral. He's usually ready to go back on the run once he's done his job of saving the day.
Unpleasantness aside, I have to say that I had the time of my life. We were in the roaring 20's and Igot to dance the Charleston. Great fun. I also got to watch the Doctor play cricket. Better than any pro I have seen. He's become quite a hoot to be around. When he made the remark about wanting to drive a train as a boy, I think he was serious. Of course I don't think there are steam engines on Gallifrey. I wonder if his parents traveled like he does. He simply knows too much about the earth and its different people and cultures from any time period. He just fits in wherever or whenever he goes. I mean he claims to have known DaVinci, Socrates, Galileo. From what I've learned about the Time Lords, the Doctor I first met was Time Lord to the core. A little whimsical perhaps, but none the less full blown Time Lord. But now, I guess I can only describe him as human. Very human. He explained how regeneration is not just a regeneration of body, but also of mind and personality. I wish I knew more about him."
"Entry 6"
"Nysaa is determined to teach Adric to dance. Even after he stepped on her toes several times. Clutz is an understatement. She showed us all some of Traken's formal dancing tonight. It was quite lovely. The Doctor played wall flower for awhile until I persuaded him to dance with me. He surprised me with his knowledge of waltzes. There was something about his eyes as we danced. Those beautiful ice blue eyes. I almost felt lost in them. We haven't argued for days now. Well, Nyssa is going to teach me some things about the console . Until next time.."
"Entry 7"
The screen flickered on gain to show Tegan in tears. Gone was the flight attendant's uniform, replaced with a dark tan jumpsuit.
" Adric died today. And either the Doctor doesn't care or he's too much in shock to believe it. I shouldn't say that. I know he cares. He rarely shows emotion but when he does he shows it strongly. No, wait Adric doesn't have to die. We can go back."
The screen went blank as he remembered the argument. The hurt in her eyes as he refused to go back. He wished he could have explained why. That he couldn't change events within his own timeline without creating paradoxes that could disrupt the entire fabric of time and space. She wouldn't have understood. Not when the emotions were so high. And before they could deal with Adric's death, they were thrown once again into danger, aboard a Concorde at the hands of the Master.
"Entry 8"
"Well, the Doctor kept his promise. He got me back to Heathrow. Of course he had stopped trying by the time he did. I still can't believe its over. I didn't even get to tell them goodbye. He knew I wanted to stay. I know he did because I bloody well told him!" There was anger in her voice. " I stood there for hours in the cold waiting for him to come back. I guess he felt I would never forgive him for not saving Adric. " She sighed heavily propping her chin on her hands. "Maybe it is better this way. Things wouldn't have been the same between us. Awkward silence or polite small talk. Both unbearable. Well Doctor, you got me back to my life. Guess its time to start living it."
"Entry 9"
"Its been about six months now since my last entry. The Air Stewardess game is fun and all but it's a bit anticlimatic after traveling with the Doctor. I'll never be able to put it all behind me. I miss it too damned much! " She said as she wiped away a few tears. "I went to Aunt Vanessa's grave a few days ago. She told me once, when I got the job as air stewardess, to give it up when I stopped enjoying it. Well I'm not having much fun with anything anymore. Probably why a bloke never asks me out twice. I can't concentrate anymore. Not on work and obviously not on my personal life. And now those damned dreams are starting to come back. So here's to you Doctor. Think about me next time you save the universe. I wish I'd never met you."
"Me too Tegan. If you hadn't, you'd still be alive."
He pocketed th e journal and made his way back to the TARDIS.
"What's wrong Doctor? You always seem so preoccupied lately."
"I'm sorry Peri. Have a lot on my mind. Do you have any regrets in your life."
"None that really matter I guess."
"Not even travelling with me?"
"Ar e you kidding? This is great," she exclaimed grabbing his arm and smiling. The smile was genuine and infectious. The Doctor couldn't help but smile as well.
Hours later the smile had faded as he sat under a tree in the cool night air. Peri had turned in hours ago. He took Tegan's journal from his pocket and pressed the review button.
"Entry 5"
Well our latest adventure had a rather tragic ending with the death of George Cranleigh. Poor Anne. She and Nysaa share much more than their looks. They have both lost so much in their lives. I wonder if I have a twin somewhere in the universe. I was surprised the Doctor wanted to stay for the funeral. He's usually ready to go back on the run once he's done his job of saving the day.
Unpleasantness aside, I have to say that I had the time of my life. We were in the roaring 20's and Igot to dance the Charleston. Great fun. I also got to watch the Doctor play cricket. Better than any pro I have seen. He's become quite a hoot to be around. When he made the remark about wanting to drive a train as a boy, I think he was serious. Of course I don't think there are steam engines on Gallifrey. I wonder if his parents traveled like he does. He simply knows too much about the earth and its different people and cultures from any time period. He just fits in wherever or whenever he goes. I mean he claims to have known DaVinci, Socrates, Galileo. From what I've learned about the Time Lords, the Doctor I first met was Time Lord to the core. A little whimsical perhaps, but none the less full blown Time Lord. But now, I guess I can only describe him as human. Very human. He explained how regeneration is not just a regeneration of body, but also of mind and personality. I wish I knew more about him."
"Entry 6"
"Nysaa is determined to teach Adric to dance. Even after he stepped on her toes several times. Clutz is an understatement. She showed us all some of Traken's formal dancing tonight. It was quite lovely. The Doctor played wall flower for awhile until I persuaded him to dance with me. He surprised me with his knowledge of waltzes. There was something about his eyes as we danced. Those beautiful ice blue eyes. I almost felt lost in them. We haven't argued for days now. Well, Nyssa is going to teach me some things about the console . Until next time.."
"Entry 7"
The screen flickered on gain to show Tegan in tears. Gone was the flight attendant's uniform, replaced with a dark tan jumpsuit.
" Adric died today. And either the Doctor doesn't care or he's too much in shock to believe it. I shouldn't say that. I know he cares. He rarely shows emotion but when he does he shows it strongly. No, wait Adric doesn't have to die. We can go back."
The screen went blank as he remembered the argument. The hurt in her eyes as he refused to go back. He wished he could have explained why. That he couldn't change events within his own timeline without creating paradoxes that could disrupt the entire fabric of time and space. She wouldn't have understood. Not when the emotions were so high. And before they could deal with Adric's death, they were thrown once again into danger, aboard a Concorde at the hands of the Master.
"Entry 8"
"Well, the Doctor kept his promise. He got me back to Heathrow. Of course he had stopped trying by the time he did. I still can't believe its over. I didn't even get to tell them goodbye. He knew I wanted to stay. I know he did because I bloody well told him!" There was anger in her voice. " I stood there for hours in the cold waiting for him to come back. I guess he felt I would never forgive him for not saving Adric. " She sighed heavily propping her chin on her hands. "Maybe it is better this way. Things wouldn't have been the same between us. Awkward silence or polite small talk. Both unbearable. Well Doctor, you got me back to my life. Guess its time to start living it."
"Entry 9"
"Its been about six months now since my last entry. The Air Stewardess game is fun and all but it's a bit anticlimatic after traveling with the Doctor. I'll never be able to put it all behind me. I miss it too damned much! " She said as she wiped away a few tears. "I went to Aunt Vanessa's grave a few days ago. She told me once, when I got the job as air stewardess, to give it up when I stopped enjoying it. Well I'm not having much fun with anything anymore. Probably why a bloke never asks me out twice. I can't concentrate anymore. Not on work and obviously not on my personal life. And now those damned dreams are starting to come back. So here's to you Doctor. Think about me next time you save the universe. I wish I'd never met you."
"Me too Tegan. If you hadn't, you'd still be alive."
He pocketed th e journal and made his way back to the TARDIS.