Chapter 9: Tea and TARDISes
To Rose's great surprise, she found that she was standing in the middle of a cosy sitting room. Books spilled out from shelves lining the wall; and were stacked high on the floor and covered every table. In the corner was an elderly gentleman in an armchair, reading. His hair was entirely white and he was dressed in a threadbare, stained tweed suit. A tea-trolley sat nearby. Presently, he glanced up at her. "Ah, there you are. Would you like some tea?'
"Tea?" she said in disbelief. "Is that how it works? You give me tea and wipe my memories?"
"Good gracious, I certainly hope not," he said, shutting his book. "If we're going to find that...er...that thing we're supposed to find...one of us needs to be able to remember what it is."
Rose blinked at him, open-mouthed, for a moment. "So...so you're not going to do anything to my mind."
"No."
"You're...you're going to help me?"
"Yes," he said, pleasantly. "And, in my estimation, what will help you the most is tea." He poured a cup and handed it to her.
Still in a state of shock, she took the cup automatically and sipped it. She immediately began to feel calmer. "Ah, that's good...hang on, how is it there's tea on Gallifrey?"
He smiled. "I once lived on Earth for many years. Cambridge."
"Cambridge? Why...Cambridge?"
"I suppose it reminded me of home. English academics aggressively resist any sort of change; and, because the stakes are so small, their politics are simply vicious."
Rose laughed. There was something very warm and familiar about this man. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Then--she sputtered and nearly choked on her tea.
"Something the matter, my dear?"
"You...you're the president of Gallifrey! You're Lord President Chronotis."
"Yes, I suppose I am," he shrugged. He sounded almost embarrassed about it.
"But...but can't you help the Doctor? He's in some sort of serious trouble, I don't know what it is, exactly, but maybe you could pardon him or something?"
"It's not that simple, I'm afraid." He glanced away. "Gallifreyan politics have become rather...complicated of late. Anyway, right now, our mission is to...is to..." He scratched his head. "Er...what is it we're supposed to be doing?"
"The Doctor said we've got to catch the Dark Energy ship before it gets to Earth."
"Ah yes, that. Earth will surely want to weaponise Dark Energy, and then it's brown trousers time for everyone." He got up and moved towards what appeared to be a jukebox, and began to fiddle with its knobs. "Now, the tricky bit is going to be landing at the exact moment." He studied the jukebox lights for a moment. "Here we are, major disturbance in the Time Vortex, when the Doctor's TARDIS was diverted...and the Dark Energy trail near Skaro...yes, there it is. Let's go."
Rose got up. "Where to?" She started towards the door.
But then she heard the familiar scream of time and space being moved apart. For this was no mere sitting room--it was a TARDIS.
Footsteps echoed down the marble corridor from which the TARDIS had just dematerialised. Marched along by Romana and her guard, the Doctor stared ahead, unseeing. Being imprisoned had annoyed him. Losing his sonic screwdriver had distressed him. But Romana's betrayal had absolutely shattered him. He almost looked forward to being frozen for an eternity.
Romana walked beside him, her face expressionless. "Nice acting job back there," she said, softly, hardly moving her lips. "You could be on the stage. 'Et tu, Brute,' indeed."
Her words took a moment to sink in. Suddenly he stopped, seized her shoulders, and cried, "Romana! You mean--" Her guard grabbed his arms and jerked him back.
"Eyes front, prisoner," Romana said, loudly, as they passed another blue orb. Once it was out of sight, Romana whispered, "You didn't seriously think that I was going to...what? You did? You actually thought that I would--" She thumped the back of his head. "Idiot!"
"Yes, I am. I never should have doubted you, Romana."
"Wipe that silly grin off your face, there's another orb ahead. Look miserable, despairing, like you did before--that expression was perfect."
Several more turns and they were in a dimly-lit chamber. There was an orb attached to the wall, but it wasn't glowing.
"Here we are," said Romana.
"And here is where, exactly?" asked the Doctor.
"Must I explain everything?" She jerked her thumb in the direction of an empty space--an empty, shimmering space.
"My TARDIS!" he exclaimed. "Romana, how can I ever thank you enough?" He threw his arms around her tightly, lifting her feet from the floor.
"No! Doctor!" She struggled out of his grasp. "There isn't time. You've got to get away at once. Your only hope of escape is in stealth."
"I can't leave Rose here..."
"She is safe. Rendezvous with her at these coordinates." She pressed a scrap of paper into his hand.
"But what about you?" He brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face. "Won't you be under suspicion--"
"We'll say you overpowered us and escaped. Stop talking, go!"
Before she could protest, he kissed the top of her forehead. "Good-bye, Romana, my very best friend." He lifted his key to the TARDIS lock. "I'll always--"
Suddenly, the door opened from the other side.
"Doctor, what a surprise," said a very nasty voice. The pinched, rat-faced man stepped out. Three guards followed. "And...Councillor Romana. How odd. I thought you were taking him to the prison ship."
"I...I...I was, but..." Romana sputtered.
"I made a last request," said the Doctor, quickly. "I begged her to take me to Shada in my TARDIS. It's going to be my very last trip anywhere, ever, and I'm…I'm very attached to the old girl. I can be a bit of a sentimentalist..."
"I see no reason to deny your request," Nequamlupus said, silkily. "We can even leave your little antique with you on Shada. You and it can slowly decay, together forever. It's almost poetic. However, I think I should be the one to take you there. I have my doubts concerning Councillor Romana's loyalty. I'll take that book, thanks."
"Chancellor!" Romana protested, as he pulled the book from her fingers, "I have always been--"
"A friend of the Doctor's. Of that I am very well aware. Go to my office, Romana, and wait for me. I've one or two things I'd like to ask you. Come along now, Doctor."
The guards seized his arms and forced him inside the TARDIS. He managed to stop near the doorway. He looked out at Romana.
She gazed back at him, stricken, one hand on the wall for support. "Doctor, I--"
"I know."
The door closed. His TARDIS screamed and then--nothing. He was gone.
