See! the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower would be forgiven,
If it disdained it's brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;--
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?
--Shelley
"Good Christ," Peri muttered. She twisted to stare up at the soaring architecture and spread her arms wide in an all-encompassing motion. "Would you look at this place? Who built it? The Romans?"
Tegan smiled widely. She hadn't seen Peri that happy since before Sylvania.
"Not quite, Peri," the Doctor responded, pivoting like Peri, his hands in his pockets. He bit his lip. "The architecture is too mathematically precise on a level of intricacy unattainable by the Classic era."
"Literal," Tegan replied quietly. She brushed by the Doctor to look at the plaster dome over head. There was a wonderfully expressive mural painted on the arch of the dome: a woman holding a basket of bounty and offering it to children. "It is beautiful. The woman is very Raphealian."
She felt the Doctor's hand on her elbow; the fingers cupped the bone gently, almost caressingly. There was the characteristic hiccup of a breath that he took before he spoke.
"Ah, you must be the Doctor!"
She glanced over her shoulder to see him agitatedly turn, a frown on his face, to meet the approaching man.
"I am. And you are?" the Doctor asked as he readjusted his coat and hat.
"Your location specialist," was the jovial reply. "My name is Tren."
The Doctor seemed, to Tegan's practiced eyes, to force a smile to his face as he held out his hand in greeting. It struck her as strange where her friend was always so eager to greet new people that he would behave so entirely different. Rabbits, she thought watching the smile slowly creep to his eyes, he only had acted like that once previously.
"Tren is it? Wonderful to meet you. I'll admit that this is a slightly different manner of traveling than previously, isn't it?" The Doctor bent at his waist a little as Peri came to join him. "The last time there wasn't a specialist..."
"Recent problems with some other locations have led the Corporation to have specialists at each location," the young man leaned in conspiratorially. "But if you ask me, sir, one can expect problems if one wishes to vacation on Skaro."
"Good heavens," was the Doctor's reply. With a smile, he reached behind to put his hand at Tegan's back. He did the same with Peri, bringing both girls even with him as they followed the chattering Tren out of the room. "Skaro?"
Tegan smiled widely as they stepped from the building and into the bright sunshine. She immediately recognized the aroma in the air as distinctly Eye of Orion. A few blinks and a moment allowed her to see the vision that met them as they stepped into a large courtyard. It was immense, stretching so far to the peripheral that the corners and walls were nearly blurred. The walls, the steps and the columns near them were sandy in color; the sky was very rich sapphire blue and the grass was as green as the greenest April sprouting. She stopped at the top step and breathed deeply. Peri nearly bounded down the steps to the grass.
The Doctor stopped on the top step and smiled down at her. She intercepted the look and returned the grin. "It doesn't ever change, does it?"
"The Eye? No, no...the natural beauty is always here, Tegan." His smile widened.
"It's different with people here," she commented as she stepped down into the grass. It was a live path, made of grass of contrasting colors. It stretched to the edges of the courtyard where columns and obelisks of varying sizes sprouted like oversized blades of grass. It was true what she said about people, she thought. There were probably a hundred or so people on the path in front of them. "The ruins were so peaceful."
"Quite," the Doctor responded, his hand worrying in his pocket. She knew he was agitated and the hand ventured out quickly to touch at her lower back. "You like it better that way, I suppose."
"You suppose rightly," she said with humor. The Doctor practically beamed at her, but quickly remembered that he was in conversation with Tren.
"Skaro, you say..."
"They do mean everywhere, every time, Doctor," Tren reminded him. "But here on the Eye, very little happens that could be considered dangerous or indeed strange." He glanced back and met Peri's eyes. "Do keep up, miss. You're Peri, correct? I'm to understand that you inquired about the complete spa package."
"You bet I did," Peri smiled as she drew even with the man.
"It starts this afternoon," he replied. "Your first appointment is in two hours. That's just enough time for me to acquaint you with your rooms. But if you'd rather, we are passing the spa on our way to your lodgings, I could allow you to stop there and escort you later this evening."
Peri glanced to the Doctor. "I think getting pampered starting immediately sounds great to me. It wouldn't be a problem to be escorted later, would it?"
"Your friend...Miss Tegan...has an appointment at the spa this evening," he continued. As he turned to Tegan, she noted that his hair was so very red that it looked radiant. His eyes were indeterminate. "I could bring you to the spa and escort the both of you back at the end of the appointments..."
"Sounds like it's a definite plan," Tegan smiled in reply.
**
Tegan felt odd as Peri parted company with her and the Doctor, but no amount of crossing and uncrossing her arms over her chest could adjust the feeling. She wasn't used to being without Peri now for over a year. The sight of the beautiful buildings and art work helped to lull her a little.
"The current culture here on the Eye has been on this planet for well over one hundred millennia."
Tren's voice was smooth and soothing. He and the Doctor walked slightly in front of her. Her Time Lord strolled with his hands held tightly behind his back, which was library chair straight. He towered over the accompanying tour guide by a half a foot and his blond hair deeply contrasted the mix of red and brown that Tren sported. And Tegan wasn't even going to begin to contemplate the difference in dress. But what was the same between the two men was the intent way they conversed amongst themselves about the culture and the architecture.
"Amazing," the Doctor said simply. His hand traced down the engraved figures on a column. "The culture is that advanced and yet they have a classical taste when it comes to expressing themselves in architecture." He frowned and touched the column with a flat palm. "Although I believe this isn't stone, is it?"
"No," Tren smiled. "Very astute, Doctor. A bit of an archeologist, are you?"
"I get around a great deal," the Doctor responded. He pressed his palm into the carving and then glanced up the surface of the column. "Technite?"
"A technite derivative, yes." Tren smiled benevolently, as if watching a small child he enjoyed learning a new lesson.
"Ah, but the writing..." the Doctor reached into his inside pocket and pulled out his glasses. Tegan knew the look: his professor on a holiday persona as he leaned in to look at the writing. She couldn't be paid enough to guess at what the type of writing it was. "Very blocked and yet has a distinct mathematical basis to it." His fingers danced over the material reminding Tegan of a sculptor anointing his own work. There was reverence and intensity. He stood and tapped the glasses against his lips. "And literal instead of pictorial interpretation, I think. If I wasn't mistaken..."
Tegan rolled her eyes. "You aren't often..."
The Doctor's response to her was a quirked eyebrow. "If I wasn't mistaken, I would assume it was a cousin language of Gallifreyan."
Tren frowned. "I don't know Gallifreyan, Doctor. It isn't a commonly studied or freely used language in the galaxy at large. Written word on the Eye can be traced through the literary tree that started in the Greater Mutter's Spiral in the first part of the Second Universe."
The Doctor's interest was pronounced; he leaned forward, slipping his hands complete with glasses back into his pocket. "Really? Interesting...that is a divergent language family from Gallifrey."
Tegan sighed and shifted her weight. Beyond the column, in the middle distance, she could see several men and women strolling. They appeared to have destinations and purpose, but no speed. Their dress was all the same, only varying in color instead of style.
"Very interesting...I wonder...do you have a library or learning institutions in these parts?" the Doctor muttered, tapping his finger against his lips.
She had had enough and stepped forward to tap her fingers against the Doctor's shoulder. "Vacation, Doctor? Remember?"
He glanced over his shoulder at her with a sheepish grin on his face. "Of course, Tegan, of course."
Tren readily agreed and Tegan found herself back to being escorted by the Doctor. From the interested gleam of his eyes, however, she could tell that he was still thinking about the carvings. She, however, wanted some questions of her own answered. "It seems that everyone here wears the same clothes, Tren. That isn't required is it?"
"Oh no, Miss Tegan; it's simply all there is here," Tren responded good- naturedly, gesturing to have them enter the building ahead of him.
"Very like ancient Greek..." Tegan said, quietly. "Beautiful."
"Not Greek, Tegan," the Doctor corrected with a smile. "More Terran Middle Eastern...more Babylonian..."
With a groan, she leaned back into his hand. "Why does it not surprise me that you know textile history?"
"Well..." he replied, his voice falling in tone on the drawn out syllable. "I am a man of many talents."
**
The silk was lovely and cool against Tegan's skin. She hadn't quite caught the name of the knot nor the way it was tied across her shoulders, but at that moment she didn't quite care. From the way that Peri was gently petting the fabric against her own hips and thighs, she knew her friend loved the sign of luxury that adorned their bodies.
"Shouldn't we have waited for the Doctor and Tren to come find us, Tegan?" Peri asked quietly as they entered the main thoroughfare. "Do you really know where you're going?"
Tegan shrugged good-naturedly and continued down the marble path towards a wide courtyard. Even at the distance, she could see it as would be in her time...a beautiful ruin of a place with sandstone and marble portions. "Is it ever a good idea to wander anywhere we go? I'm sure we're safe here. Besides, our rooms are just up a bit off the main corridor. Just go to the main column and turn right..."
With a grin, she continued down the ivy-covered, column-lined path. Peri's blue gown mixed with the silver of her own, creating a flowing shadow of silk next to their legs. "What do you think the Doctor has been doing while we were pampered and cared for this afternoon?"
Tegan rubbed her hands over her arms at the mention of the day. Her skin was so much silkier now, wonderfully smooth from the massage and body wrap she had undergone. Peri positively glowed.
"Probably something involving trouble, learning, investigation or all of the above," Tegan responded as she peeked about the corner. Then she gave her friend a wide smile. "Rabbits! All the time that's gone by but that much surely hasn't changed."
There were many stars visible over the horizon, but even by their meager light, she could see a masculine form standing by one of the columns, his fingers at his lips and his head inclined.
"Is that..."
Tegan rolled her eyes and approached the man they both knew. "Just like us...turn at the second column, and straight onto morning...to find Peter Pan..."
Peri giggled as they approached.
"I'm glad you find humor in Tegan's literary allusions," the Doctor stated. His eyes didn't waver from the column. "I gather the both of you had a wonderful day and evening?"
"The best," Peri agreed. "The spa here was tops in pampering."
Tegan agreed with a sigh. "They had the best passionflower and lilac bath."
The Doctor turned to meet her eyes. "Did they? Interesting."
"Is there any particular reason why you are out in the middle of a mostly empty courtyard staring at columns?" She asked. Peri grinned and looped her arm through her friend's. Tegan patted her hand as if to say: listen to this.
"I'm surprised at you, Tegan," the Doctor muttered and turned back to the column. In the dark, his fingertips danced on the surface of the column. She rubbed her hands over her naked arms and with a shiver she realized she wanted his touch. After their conversation, or lack thereof, she thought ruefully, she wasn't sure if it was the best idea she had had.
"How so, Doc?" Peri chirped. "I thought it was good question to ask."
"Tegan and I saw these columns this afternoon. I've done a bit of research this afternoon; these columns intrigue me. Or rather...the writing on them."
"The non-Gallifreyan, but very Gallifreyan like writing?"
"The very," he looked away from the column and speared Tegan with a smile. "I've booked a trip to Earth tomorrow."
Tegan frowned. "Why or rather: where?"
"Yeah, Doc," Peri agreed.
The Doctor tapped the column with his fingers. "As I said earlier, Tegan, the writing on this column is enough like Early Gallifreyan that it's partially translatable." He glanced sheepishly over his shoulder to Tegan. "Or at least, I translated it and received a somewhat understandable string of words in return. It tells of a colonization attempt on a planet in Mutter's Spiral. It's a planet that has similar climate to the Eye. And it was a planet that was visited and studied for eons by the wise men of this civilization. They've been watching the 'large bird-like lizards' and the wanderings of early humanoids." He grinned widely. "The only planet I know that fits that description is Earth."
"But when, Doctor?" Tegan pressed. There was something about this that made her wary.
He turned, his hands sliding into his pockets. "Well, this civilization doesn't have the ability for time travel. And this column is rather new comparatively. If I were to hazard a guess..."
Peri muttered under her breath. "A guess, yeah...right."
The Doctor continued as if he hadn't quite heard his companion. "With time translation between the two...I would say it was at the earliest civilization attempt...in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys...Sumerian and Babylonian civilizations. There's a fine line between the two..."
Tegan frowned. "And you want to go there and then?"
"Yes, well...I'm intrigued," the Doctor responded. "I wonder what this civilization does with your planet, Tegan. Yes, I'm going. But you two may remain here; I'll only be gone a short while."
Peri sighed and Tegan's back straightened. Her friend responded first: "I personally would like to remain here...if you promise you'll return quickly."
Tegan's frown became more pronounced and she said nothing. The Doctor smiled. "Of course I'll return quickly. I'll spend less than a day there. I only want to do a few things. I'll be back before you blink." He turned and met Tegan's eyes. "But that can be decided tomorrow. I understand that our accommodations have a wonderful restaurant...would you two care for a bite to eat?"
Peri beamed and started down the path the Doctor indicated with his outstretched hand. Tegan approached him, her arms crossed over her chest. "Doctor..."
"Tomorrow, Tegan," he pressed. "We'll all make a decision tomorrow."
"Why does this not surprise me?" she continued as though he hadn't said anything. "Curiosity is your relaxed state, isn't it?"
He sighed and slipped his hand to her back. "The dress is lovely; I trust you had plenty of currency?"
She shook her head. "Avoidance, Supremo."
"I am getting better at it, aren't I?" he replied with a smile. "We'll talk about it later...but first, please, dinner?"
**
After a filling and quite exquisite dinner, the Doctor escorted Peri to her room. He left Tegan by the open balcony to enjoy the night. The breeze was more intense that far from the ground and it rustled both her skirt and hair. She couldn't quite describe the flowery aroma but settled for calling it honeysuckle. And the clarity of the stars was mesmerizing. Only the cool touch of familiar hands at her shoulders brought her mind back to the present.
"It's still beautiful here...even with people. It still smells like spring," she murmured.
"Quite," his voice rumbled. His hands slid from the apex of her shoulders to cup her upper arms.
"You know I'll have to go with you tomorrow," Tegan responded as she turned her nose into the breeze. "You can't be trusted to stay out of trouble and you can't be trusted to simply go and come back without someone to remind you to..."
"Ah yes," he said a breathless laugh under his words. "Your responsibility again, am I?"
"You bet your lives, Doc," she replied. She inhaled a little more of the spring night and turned to him. "And where have you hidden my room, by chance?"
The Doctor adjusted the brim of his hat and turned; his hand dropped to take hers. "An interesting story that," he stated quietly. "It seems that you were given a room to share with someone, Tegan."
Tegan felt a small grin tease at her lips. "Oh no...you don't say."
"Well," the Doctor drew out the syllable as his voice fell in timbre. Suddenly, she could tell when the teasing manner he hadn't quite figured out how to use properly was dropped and his inner seriousness shone. His hand tightened and she could see that his lips had released their smile. His eyes were dark and wary as well. It mattered what she said, she realized; it mattered what she answered. "I had thought as we haven't had a great deal of time to spend alone, Tegan...and our lives have been rather hectic as of late... And, well, as this is our vacation...I thought that perhaps you and I might..."
"Share a room?" Tegan quietly asked.
"Yes, well..." the Doctor cleared his throat. "We have discussed our feelings toward one another..."
She nearly laughed at the shy and serious way he spoke. "As best as either you or I are able to, yes..."
He gave her a friendly frown. "I do realize we shall have to discuss things further, Tegan."
"Someday," she muttered in return, but squeezed his hand. "You want to spend the night together."
"I would like to, yes," he responded quickly.
"A year and a month, Doc..."
"Yes, well, Tegan," he sighed as he stopped and turned to her. "This isn't something commonplace...this...fraternizing...between us. You have expressed interest...previously...that you wished we had engaged as such more often..."
"The answer is yes," she said as her smile widened. She stroked at his cheek for a moment to placate his rising temper. "Easy, Doc...I wasn't going to turn you down."
"Thank Rassilon..." he responded good-naturedly. "I'm not accustomed to asking in the first place, Tegan. To have to convince you wouldn't be any easier. "
She rose on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips that stilled him. He tested his lips with his tongue afterwards. She smiled and pulled on their clasped hands. "Come on...where's the room?"
The Doctor's smile was small and he strode down the corridor at a clipped rate. She felt his pull and followed along, her silver dress swirling about her legs in the breeze.
**
It was different than the other two times. This time there was no rain falling about them and it wasn't hurriedly on a bed. This time it was slow and leisurely. Her dress was left over the back of a chair; his clothes neatly folded on the seat. The cool breeze dusted her legs as she raised them about his hips; his breath was like a cool kiss of life against her cheek, her chin, and her chest; it harkened the arrival of his lips.
"I hope that smile is not at my expense," he muttered, his body stretching out on top of her.
"Quiet the ego, Doc," she whispered in return. "I'm just happy."
After what seemed an eternity of gentle teasing touches, of his hands lovingly stroking her body, of her lips exploring and mapping what little of his body she didn't know, and of him raising her passion to a feverish pitch, he joined them. There was more tenderness then, a slowly traveling hand as if he was memorizing or reacquainting himself with her body. He seemed to hesitate as he had before, tensing above her, but this time she realized it was because he wanted to draw out the anticipation from the both of them.
For an instant, she saw him with his blond hair, darkened now to a light brown, his eyes deep and soulful, and his lips swollen and parted, poised over her. He looked serious, as though what was occurring was more than what it was. But then the instant was gone and his muscles coiled and sprung and the join was complete.
Her smile became a laugh of joy as his moan of pleasure resounded in the room.
She felt his fingers touching or rather gently restraining her head as he raised his lips from her brow. She swallowed the rest of her laugh at the sight of his blue eyes wide and heated, his pupils nearly obliterating their color. The gentle flame that burned beneath the surface was hot and yet comforting. "I couldn't' do this as Supremo, Tegan..." he breathed. "You understand?"
She nodded, the stinging feel of tears touching at the edges of her eyes.
"It wouldn't have been..." he hissed a breath through his teeth that accompanied a thrust that made her squirm. "It wouldn't have been what it should."
Her hands fell to his lower back, feeling the push and pull of his muscles under his skin. She couldn't draw a complete breath; both his gentle thrusts and his kiss stole what little air she had from her. An ache formed in her chest and she tried to voice what she felt. "But what is it supposed to be?" she whispered, her lips moving, a tear grazing the side of them.
His groan was as much in pleasure as in a slight touch of anguish. "Oh, Tegan..." he muttered, his hips shifting to deepen their contact. "It wouldn't have been...this..."
She arched her back, her nails digging into his back in passion. "Doc..." She hiccupped and tried to keep her lips from saying more than she wanted. "Please don't tell me it's..." she moaned. "Don't tell me it's to keep me with you..."
"No," he said strongly.
She raised her legs above him. He lifted his body off of hers, his arms holding him firmly above her. She couldn't hold him anywhere but at his shoulders and there she could feel the strength and power in his thrusts. As she closed her eyes, she squeezed another two tears from beneath their lids. He muttered encouragement, but it wasn't necessary. With quivering and a shout, she climaxed, dragging him with her to the edge of the cliff and plummeting over. His groan of release shook her to her core.
But he didn't move off of her, didn't gently ease her to the side and fall to the mattress as he had before. He calmly and gently continued to thrust, his eyes searching for hers in the dark. "Joining, Tegan; it's about joining...and...affection."
Tegan's hands encircled his shoulders, her muscles continuing to quake. She met his gaze. "I like hearing that."
"Interestingly enough," he sighed, holding her tightly. He brought his body flush against hers. She could feel his sense of humor bubbling through him. "I like saying it."
His fingers stroked her cheek for a moment before he lowered his lips to cover hers, gently, and with infinite attention. "I care," he returned, sobering. "Don't doubt that I do."
Darkness embraced them and he gently pulled away and fell to her side on the mattress. She felt his lips at the back of her neck as he spooned around her. Somehow, with an ease of the anxiety in her gut, she fell asleep, held firmly against his chest.
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower would be forgiven,
If it disdained it's brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;--
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?
--Shelley
"Good Christ," Peri muttered. She twisted to stare up at the soaring architecture and spread her arms wide in an all-encompassing motion. "Would you look at this place? Who built it? The Romans?"
Tegan smiled widely. She hadn't seen Peri that happy since before Sylvania.
"Not quite, Peri," the Doctor responded, pivoting like Peri, his hands in his pockets. He bit his lip. "The architecture is too mathematically precise on a level of intricacy unattainable by the Classic era."
"Literal," Tegan replied quietly. She brushed by the Doctor to look at the plaster dome over head. There was a wonderfully expressive mural painted on the arch of the dome: a woman holding a basket of bounty and offering it to children. "It is beautiful. The woman is very Raphealian."
She felt the Doctor's hand on her elbow; the fingers cupped the bone gently, almost caressingly. There was the characteristic hiccup of a breath that he took before he spoke.
"Ah, you must be the Doctor!"
She glanced over her shoulder to see him agitatedly turn, a frown on his face, to meet the approaching man.
"I am. And you are?" the Doctor asked as he readjusted his coat and hat.
"Your location specialist," was the jovial reply. "My name is Tren."
The Doctor seemed, to Tegan's practiced eyes, to force a smile to his face as he held out his hand in greeting. It struck her as strange where her friend was always so eager to greet new people that he would behave so entirely different. Rabbits, she thought watching the smile slowly creep to his eyes, he only had acted like that once previously.
"Tren is it? Wonderful to meet you. I'll admit that this is a slightly different manner of traveling than previously, isn't it?" The Doctor bent at his waist a little as Peri came to join him. "The last time there wasn't a specialist..."
"Recent problems with some other locations have led the Corporation to have specialists at each location," the young man leaned in conspiratorially. "But if you ask me, sir, one can expect problems if one wishes to vacation on Skaro."
"Good heavens," was the Doctor's reply. With a smile, he reached behind to put his hand at Tegan's back. He did the same with Peri, bringing both girls even with him as they followed the chattering Tren out of the room. "Skaro?"
Tegan smiled widely as they stepped from the building and into the bright sunshine. She immediately recognized the aroma in the air as distinctly Eye of Orion. A few blinks and a moment allowed her to see the vision that met them as they stepped into a large courtyard. It was immense, stretching so far to the peripheral that the corners and walls were nearly blurred. The walls, the steps and the columns near them were sandy in color; the sky was very rich sapphire blue and the grass was as green as the greenest April sprouting. She stopped at the top step and breathed deeply. Peri nearly bounded down the steps to the grass.
The Doctor stopped on the top step and smiled down at her. She intercepted the look and returned the grin. "It doesn't ever change, does it?"
"The Eye? No, no...the natural beauty is always here, Tegan." His smile widened.
"It's different with people here," she commented as she stepped down into the grass. It was a live path, made of grass of contrasting colors. It stretched to the edges of the courtyard where columns and obelisks of varying sizes sprouted like oversized blades of grass. It was true what she said about people, she thought. There were probably a hundred or so people on the path in front of them. "The ruins were so peaceful."
"Quite," the Doctor responded, his hand worrying in his pocket. She knew he was agitated and the hand ventured out quickly to touch at her lower back. "You like it better that way, I suppose."
"You suppose rightly," she said with humor. The Doctor practically beamed at her, but quickly remembered that he was in conversation with Tren.
"Skaro, you say..."
"They do mean everywhere, every time, Doctor," Tren reminded him. "But here on the Eye, very little happens that could be considered dangerous or indeed strange." He glanced back and met Peri's eyes. "Do keep up, miss. You're Peri, correct? I'm to understand that you inquired about the complete spa package."
"You bet I did," Peri smiled as she drew even with the man.
"It starts this afternoon," he replied. "Your first appointment is in two hours. That's just enough time for me to acquaint you with your rooms. But if you'd rather, we are passing the spa on our way to your lodgings, I could allow you to stop there and escort you later this evening."
Peri glanced to the Doctor. "I think getting pampered starting immediately sounds great to me. It wouldn't be a problem to be escorted later, would it?"
"Your friend...Miss Tegan...has an appointment at the spa this evening," he continued. As he turned to Tegan, she noted that his hair was so very red that it looked radiant. His eyes were indeterminate. "I could bring you to the spa and escort the both of you back at the end of the appointments..."
"Sounds like it's a definite plan," Tegan smiled in reply.
**
Tegan felt odd as Peri parted company with her and the Doctor, but no amount of crossing and uncrossing her arms over her chest could adjust the feeling. She wasn't used to being without Peri now for over a year. The sight of the beautiful buildings and art work helped to lull her a little.
"The current culture here on the Eye has been on this planet for well over one hundred millennia."
Tren's voice was smooth and soothing. He and the Doctor walked slightly in front of her. Her Time Lord strolled with his hands held tightly behind his back, which was library chair straight. He towered over the accompanying tour guide by a half a foot and his blond hair deeply contrasted the mix of red and brown that Tren sported. And Tegan wasn't even going to begin to contemplate the difference in dress. But what was the same between the two men was the intent way they conversed amongst themselves about the culture and the architecture.
"Amazing," the Doctor said simply. His hand traced down the engraved figures on a column. "The culture is that advanced and yet they have a classical taste when it comes to expressing themselves in architecture." He frowned and touched the column with a flat palm. "Although I believe this isn't stone, is it?"
"No," Tren smiled. "Very astute, Doctor. A bit of an archeologist, are you?"
"I get around a great deal," the Doctor responded. He pressed his palm into the carving and then glanced up the surface of the column. "Technite?"
"A technite derivative, yes." Tren smiled benevolently, as if watching a small child he enjoyed learning a new lesson.
"Ah, but the writing..." the Doctor reached into his inside pocket and pulled out his glasses. Tegan knew the look: his professor on a holiday persona as he leaned in to look at the writing. She couldn't be paid enough to guess at what the type of writing it was. "Very blocked and yet has a distinct mathematical basis to it." His fingers danced over the material reminding Tegan of a sculptor anointing his own work. There was reverence and intensity. He stood and tapped the glasses against his lips. "And literal instead of pictorial interpretation, I think. If I wasn't mistaken..."
Tegan rolled her eyes. "You aren't often..."
The Doctor's response to her was a quirked eyebrow. "If I wasn't mistaken, I would assume it was a cousin language of Gallifreyan."
Tren frowned. "I don't know Gallifreyan, Doctor. It isn't a commonly studied or freely used language in the galaxy at large. Written word on the Eye can be traced through the literary tree that started in the Greater Mutter's Spiral in the first part of the Second Universe."
The Doctor's interest was pronounced; he leaned forward, slipping his hands complete with glasses back into his pocket. "Really? Interesting...that is a divergent language family from Gallifrey."
Tegan sighed and shifted her weight. Beyond the column, in the middle distance, she could see several men and women strolling. They appeared to have destinations and purpose, but no speed. Their dress was all the same, only varying in color instead of style.
"Very interesting...I wonder...do you have a library or learning institutions in these parts?" the Doctor muttered, tapping his finger against his lips.
She had had enough and stepped forward to tap her fingers against the Doctor's shoulder. "Vacation, Doctor? Remember?"
He glanced over his shoulder at her with a sheepish grin on his face. "Of course, Tegan, of course."
Tren readily agreed and Tegan found herself back to being escorted by the Doctor. From the interested gleam of his eyes, however, she could tell that he was still thinking about the carvings. She, however, wanted some questions of her own answered. "It seems that everyone here wears the same clothes, Tren. That isn't required is it?"
"Oh no, Miss Tegan; it's simply all there is here," Tren responded good- naturedly, gesturing to have them enter the building ahead of him.
"Very like ancient Greek..." Tegan said, quietly. "Beautiful."
"Not Greek, Tegan," the Doctor corrected with a smile. "More Terran Middle Eastern...more Babylonian..."
With a groan, she leaned back into his hand. "Why does it not surprise me that you know textile history?"
"Well..." he replied, his voice falling in tone on the drawn out syllable. "I am a man of many talents."
**
The silk was lovely and cool against Tegan's skin. She hadn't quite caught the name of the knot nor the way it was tied across her shoulders, but at that moment she didn't quite care. From the way that Peri was gently petting the fabric against her own hips and thighs, she knew her friend loved the sign of luxury that adorned their bodies.
"Shouldn't we have waited for the Doctor and Tren to come find us, Tegan?" Peri asked quietly as they entered the main thoroughfare. "Do you really know where you're going?"
Tegan shrugged good-naturedly and continued down the marble path towards a wide courtyard. Even at the distance, she could see it as would be in her time...a beautiful ruin of a place with sandstone and marble portions. "Is it ever a good idea to wander anywhere we go? I'm sure we're safe here. Besides, our rooms are just up a bit off the main corridor. Just go to the main column and turn right..."
With a grin, she continued down the ivy-covered, column-lined path. Peri's blue gown mixed with the silver of her own, creating a flowing shadow of silk next to their legs. "What do you think the Doctor has been doing while we were pampered and cared for this afternoon?"
Tegan rubbed her hands over her arms at the mention of the day. Her skin was so much silkier now, wonderfully smooth from the massage and body wrap she had undergone. Peri positively glowed.
"Probably something involving trouble, learning, investigation or all of the above," Tegan responded as she peeked about the corner. Then she gave her friend a wide smile. "Rabbits! All the time that's gone by but that much surely hasn't changed."
There were many stars visible over the horizon, but even by their meager light, she could see a masculine form standing by one of the columns, his fingers at his lips and his head inclined.
"Is that..."
Tegan rolled her eyes and approached the man they both knew. "Just like us...turn at the second column, and straight onto morning...to find Peter Pan..."
Peri giggled as they approached.
"I'm glad you find humor in Tegan's literary allusions," the Doctor stated. His eyes didn't waver from the column. "I gather the both of you had a wonderful day and evening?"
"The best," Peri agreed. "The spa here was tops in pampering."
Tegan agreed with a sigh. "They had the best passionflower and lilac bath."
The Doctor turned to meet her eyes. "Did they? Interesting."
"Is there any particular reason why you are out in the middle of a mostly empty courtyard staring at columns?" She asked. Peri grinned and looped her arm through her friend's. Tegan patted her hand as if to say: listen to this.
"I'm surprised at you, Tegan," the Doctor muttered and turned back to the column. In the dark, his fingertips danced on the surface of the column. She rubbed her hands over her naked arms and with a shiver she realized she wanted his touch. After their conversation, or lack thereof, she thought ruefully, she wasn't sure if it was the best idea she had had.
"How so, Doc?" Peri chirped. "I thought it was good question to ask."
"Tegan and I saw these columns this afternoon. I've done a bit of research this afternoon; these columns intrigue me. Or rather...the writing on them."
"The non-Gallifreyan, but very Gallifreyan like writing?"
"The very," he looked away from the column and speared Tegan with a smile. "I've booked a trip to Earth tomorrow."
Tegan frowned. "Why or rather: where?"
"Yeah, Doc," Peri agreed.
The Doctor tapped the column with his fingers. "As I said earlier, Tegan, the writing on this column is enough like Early Gallifreyan that it's partially translatable." He glanced sheepishly over his shoulder to Tegan. "Or at least, I translated it and received a somewhat understandable string of words in return. It tells of a colonization attempt on a planet in Mutter's Spiral. It's a planet that has similar climate to the Eye. And it was a planet that was visited and studied for eons by the wise men of this civilization. They've been watching the 'large bird-like lizards' and the wanderings of early humanoids." He grinned widely. "The only planet I know that fits that description is Earth."
"But when, Doctor?" Tegan pressed. There was something about this that made her wary.
He turned, his hands sliding into his pockets. "Well, this civilization doesn't have the ability for time travel. And this column is rather new comparatively. If I were to hazard a guess..."
Peri muttered under her breath. "A guess, yeah...right."
The Doctor continued as if he hadn't quite heard his companion. "With time translation between the two...I would say it was at the earliest civilization attempt...in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys...Sumerian and Babylonian civilizations. There's a fine line between the two..."
Tegan frowned. "And you want to go there and then?"
"Yes, well...I'm intrigued," the Doctor responded. "I wonder what this civilization does with your planet, Tegan. Yes, I'm going. But you two may remain here; I'll only be gone a short while."
Peri sighed and Tegan's back straightened. Her friend responded first: "I personally would like to remain here...if you promise you'll return quickly."
Tegan's frown became more pronounced and she said nothing. The Doctor smiled. "Of course I'll return quickly. I'll spend less than a day there. I only want to do a few things. I'll be back before you blink." He turned and met Tegan's eyes. "But that can be decided tomorrow. I understand that our accommodations have a wonderful restaurant...would you two care for a bite to eat?"
Peri beamed and started down the path the Doctor indicated with his outstretched hand. Tegan approached him, her arms crossed over her chest. "Doctor..."
"Tomorrow, Tegan," he pressed. "We'll all make a decision tomorrow."
"Why does this not surprise me?" she continued as though he hadn't said anything. "Curiosity is your relaxed state, isn't it?"
He sighed and slipped his hand to her back. "The dress is lovely; I trust you had plenty of currency?"
She shook her head. "Avoidance, Supremo."
"I am getting better at it, aren't I?" he replied with a smile. "We'll talk about it later...but first, please, dinner?"
**
After a filling and quite exquisite dinner, the Doctor escorted Peri to her room. He left Tegan by the open balcony to enjoy the night. The breeze was more intense that far from the ground and it rustled both her skirt and hair. She couldn't quite describe the flowery aroma but settled for calling it honeysuckle. And the clarity of the stars was mesmerizing. Only the cool touch of familiar hands at her shoulders brought her mind back to the present.
"It's still beautiful here...even with people. It still smells like spring," she murmured.
"Quite," his voice rumbled. His hands slid from the apex of her shoulders to cup her upper arms.
"You know I'll have to go with you tomorrow," Tegan responded as she turned her nose into the breeze. "You can't be trusted to stay out of trouble and you can't be trusted to simply go and come back without someone to remind you to..."
"Ah yes," he said a breathless laugh under his words. "Your responsibility again, am I?"
"You bet your lives, Doc," she replied. She inhaled a little more of the spring night and turned to him. "And where have you hidden my room, by chance?"
The Doctor adjusted the brim of his hat and turned; his hand dropped to take hers. "An interesting story that," he stated quietly. "It seems that you were given a room to share with someone, Tegan."
Tegan felt a small grin tease at her lips. "Oh no...you don't say."
"Well," the Doctor drew out the syllable as his voice fell in timbre. Suddenly, she could tell when the teasing manner he hadn't quite figured out how to use properly was dropped and his inner seriousness shone. His hand tightened and she could see that his lips had released their smile. His eyes were dark and wary as well. It mattered what she said, she realized; it mattered what she answered. "I had thought as we haven't had a great deal of time to spend alone, Tegan...and our lives have been rather hectic as of late... And, well, as this is our vacation...I thought that perhaps you and I might..."
"Share a room?" Tegan quietly asked.
"Yes, well..." the Doctor cleared his throat. "We have discussed our feelings toward one another..."
She nearly laughed at the shy and serious way he spoke. "As best as either you or I are able to, yes..."
He gave her a friendly frown. "I do realize we shall have to discuss things further, Tegan."
"Someday," she muttered in return, but squeezed his hand. "You want to spend the night together."
"I would like to, yes," he responded quickly.
"A year and a month, Doc..."
"Yes, well, Tegan," he sighed as he stopped and turned to her. "This isn't something commonplace...this...fraternizing...between us. You have expressed interest...previously...that you wished we had engaged as such more often..."
"The answer is yes," she said as her smile widened. She stroked at his cheek for a moment to placate his rising temper. "Easy, Doc...I wasn't going to turn you down."
"Thank Rassilon..." he responded good-naturedly. "I'm not accustomed to asking in the first place, Tegan. To have to convince you wouldn't be any easier. "
She rose on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips that stilled him. He tested his lips with his tongue afterwards. She smiled and pulled on their clasped hands. "Come on...where's the room?"
The Doctor's smile was small and he strode down the corridor at a clipped rate. She felt his pull and followed along, her silver dress swirling about her legs in the breeze.
**
It was different than the other two times. This time there was no rain falling about them and it wasn't hurriedly on a bed. This time it was slow and leisurely. Her dress was left over the back of a chair; his clothes neatly folded on the seat. The cool breeze dusted her legs as she raised them about his hips; his breath was like a cool kiss of life against her cheek, her chin, and her chest; it harkened the arrival of his lips.
"I hope that smile is not at my expense," he muttered, his body stretching out on top of her.
"Quiet the ego, Doc," she whispered in return. "I'm just happy."
After what seemed an eternity of gentle teasing touches, of his hands lovingly stroking her body, of her lips exploring and mapping what little of his body she didn't know, and of him raising her passion to a feverish pitch, he joined them. There was more tenderness then, a slowly traveling hand as if he was memorizing or reacquainting himself with her body. He seemed to hesitate as he had before, tensing above her, but this time she realized it was because he wanted to draw out the anticipation from the both of them.
For an instant, she saw him with his blond hair, darkened now to a light brown, his eyes deep and soulful, and his lips swollen and parted, poised over her. He looked serious, as though what was occurring was more than what it was. But then the instant was gone and his muscles coiled and sprung and the join was complete.
Her smile became a laugh of joy as his moan of pleasure resounded in the room.
She felt his fingers touching or rather gently restraining her head as he raised his lips from her brow. She swallowed the rest of her laugh at the sight of his blue eyes wide and heated, his pupils nearly obliterating their color. The gentle flame that burned beneath the surface was hot and yet comforting. "I couldn't' do this as Supremo, Tegan..." he breathed. "You understand?"
She nodded, the stinging feel of tears touching at the edges of her eyes.
"It wouldn't have been..." he hissed a breath through his teeth that accompanied a thrust that made her squirm. "It wouldn't have been what it should."
Her hands fell to his lower back, feeling the push and pull of his muscles under his skin. She couldn't draw a complete breath; both his gentle thrusts and his kiss stole what little air she had from her. An ache formed in her chest and she tried to voice what she felt. "But what is it supposed to be?" she whispered, her lips moving, a tear grazing the side of them.
His groan was as much in pleasure as in a slight touch of anguish. "Oh, Tegan..." he muttered, his hips shifting to deepen their contact. "It wouldn't have been...this..."
She arched her back, her nails digging into his back in passion. "Doc..." She hiccupped and tried to keep her lips from saying more than she wanted. "Please don't tell me it's..." she moaned. "Don't tell me it's to keep me with you..."
"No," he said strongly.
She raised her legs above him. He lifted his body off of hers, his arms holding him firmly above her. She couldn't hold him anywhere but at his shoulders and there she could feel the strength and power in his thrusts. As she closed her eyes, she squeezed another two tears from beneath their lids. He muttered encouragement, but it wasn't necessary. With quivering and a shout, she climaxed, dragging him with her to the edge of the cliff and plummeting over. His groan of release shook her to her core.
But he didn't move off of her, didn't gently ease her to the side and fall to the mattress as he had before. He calmly and gently continued to thrust, his eyes searching for hers in the dark. "Joining, Tegan; it's about joining...and...affection."
Tegan's hands encircled his shoulders, her muscles continuing to quake. She met his gaze. "I like hearing that."
"Interestingly enough," he sighed, holding her tightly. He brought his body flush against hers. She could feel his sense of humor bubbling through him. "I like saying it."
His fingers stroked her cheek for a moment before he lowered his lips to cover hers, gently, and with infinite attention. "I care," he returned, sobering. "Don't doubt that I do."
Darkness embraced them and he gently pulled away and fell to her side on the mattress. She felt his lips at the back of her neck as he spooned around her. Somehow, with an ease of the anxiety in her gut, she fell asleep, held firmly against his chest.