Disclaimer: Doctor Who is the property of the BBC.
Notes: Inspired by the Tenth Doctor's admissions of being a father in "Fear Her" and my the delirius ramblings of the First Doctor in "Edge of Destruction".
I Was A Dad Once
"Take me home!"
The knowledge had crept up on them gradually, slowly seeping into their consciousness. A sick, hollow feeling.
"Take me home, grandfather!"
The girl's distraught pleas were left unanswered. There was nothing that could be done. Her mother, his daughter, was dead. They were exiles in space and time. There was no choice, no alternative, nothing to be done about any of it.
Annoyed at his lack of attention, Susan had unfolded herself from his arms and now stood defiant before him.
"Grandfather!"
With a sigh, he looked at her.
"I can't take you back Susan, I can't."
"But why not?"
"You know very well why not."
"But you said one day we could go back."
"Yes. One day…But not today."
Assuming this the end of the conversation, he turned back to the console. Something was not quite right with the machine. Just what exactly, he didn't know, but he intended to find out.
"But she's dead grandfather!"
With a speed that belied his age, he whirled on her.
"Do you think I don't know that, child? Do believe that if there were something we could do I would just sit here? Hmm?"
She stood, frozen, stunned. He had never raised his voice to her like that before, never. Awkward at her continued silence, he continued, calmer this time.
"No. Well, your mother is dead and there is nothing to be done about it, so I see no further reason to speak of it."
Abruptly he returned to his work. It was strange that it should malfunction like this. With a bang, the door to Susan's room marked her heated departure.
So like her mother.
She was upset. Obviously. She would need some time to calm down, and then he would take her somewhere nice. Somewhere interesting. Somewhere that curiosity would overcome grief. But where?
Earth. Of course, the old favourite. He had told her so much about that planet, yet she had seen so little.
Earth it was then. It would also give him time to sort out whatever was wrong with his machine. She would explore, he would work and they would both forget.
Perfect.