Sorry it's so short. I just wanted to get this out there. Hope you enjoy! Review and tell me what you like and what you don't, if you wish.
I sat down on the bed, staring absently at my new sonic screwdriver as I thought. It really was beautiful, but the brown looked black now that the light wasn't directly hitting it, the window behind me. It was the only thing reminding me that this was all real, and I observed it carefully. Seeing a small carving in the handle-part of the root-like design I observe it and see a tree. Artfully done, I admitted, the TARDIS must've really put a lot of effort into this. I appreciate it.
I set it down and clap my hands, closing my eyes, "Thank you Sexy for all that you have done and will do for me. I appreciate it." I opened my eyes, done praying to the Goddess that has gifted me with such a wonderfully useful item.
The door swung open, "That was the Doctor. I'm surprised you're still here," Kate says coolly.
"He just needed a favor done," I said absently, putting my hotel robe back on, covering my arms as I continued staring at my new shiny tool.
"I see he gave you your sonic too," She noted. I nodded, putting it in my hotel robe pocket. She observed me before sighing.
"Do you have to wear that?"
"I don't go without sleeves. Or a hood. Or both," I mentioned.
"... Fine. Let's go, the flight is ready."
We walked in silence for a moment, stopping outside. I glanced around. No one was there. No car, no anything. Did we have to walk, or… Why'd we stop? I looked to the side and immediately sighed.
"Oh, you followed us. Hello," I observed the statue for a moment, "James," I decided to call him, "Having a good day? You must be really full, it'd be a waste to eat my timeline so soon," I tried bargaining as I took a few steps back.
I'd not escape, I knew. I had no allies, nothing. I sighed, shaking my head and stomping forwards. Fuck it. I'd accept my new fate. I hugged James, "I know I can't escape you so… Have a good life," I sighed as I finally closed my eyes. The Weeping Angel awkwardly hugged me back. I felt slightly better, "Awe, I love you too, James."
The Angel immediately dropped the hug, but I didn't, "Too soon? If it makes any difference, I love you platonically. We're good friends, right James?" I opened my eyes to see him an inch from poking me in the face. I squinted, "Were… Were you trying to boop me, James?" I boop-ed him on the nose. I observe him for a moment, planning on remembering his general face as I blinked.
Opening my eyes, I found that I immediately forgot what he looked like. He was a statue, I knew that… Damn. James and I would never see each other again, hopefully, anyway. Looking around, I sighed. When the hell was I? I looked at my attire with another sigh. Hopefully in a time where I wouldn't be called a witch and burned at the stake. When was the last witch trial ever? 1900? 1880? Sometime around then, I believed.
I walked around, confused, but whenever I asked anyone they pointed me elsewhere, telling me directions, of all things. Eventually I wound up in a crowd of people, irrevocably lost and confused. I tapped a man on the back, screwdriver tight in my hand, confused. About to ask what the hell was going on, I met the wizened icy eyes of the Ninth Doctor. I stared at him for a moment before he spoke.
"What're you doin' here?" He asked, confused.
Remembering the earlier conversation I had with myself I spoke without thinking, "I never thanked you for saving my life, did I? Thank you. Sorry for not thanking you sooner. Or, well, before… I mean, you know," I ended lamely, looking down at the sonic in my hands, twirling it in my hands and looking at it.
"That's my sonic," The Doctor said, surprised.
"Oh. Yeah, it is, isn't it?" I muttered, looking up at him, "You uh, well future-you gave it to me. By the way, where and when the hell are we? What's going on? Why are people directing me here?"
The Doctor gave me a once-over, and snorted, "Probably because you look like a Titanic survivor. It's 1912, didn't I drop you off in 2020?"
"Wh-buh- I mean yeah, but you put me into an entire state of Weeping Angels!" I accused, "Which was not Maine, by the way."
He gave me a confused look, "What's a Weepin' Angel?"
"An entire race of silent assassins. Deadly, send you back in time, made of stone?" I explained, shrugging, "I mean, James wasn't too bad, he hugged me. We booped each other on the nose. A good friendship, really, but most Weeping Angels are psychopathic killers. Also you dropped me off states away from Maine. That's some serious aiming issues you have there, bud. Do you sometimes try landing on Earth only to find yourself on Mars?"
He didn't look like he knew what to do with me, before shaking his head, "Why did I give you my sonic?"
"Because…" I paused, face twisting as I realized what that meant, eyes widening in horror, "Uhhh because you were bribing me?" Shit. No. I refuse. No love between Doctor-Companion. This wasn't that type of story. I refused.
"Why would I need to bribe you?" He asked. Jeez, he was the King of Questions today, huh?
"Spoilers," I admitted, "But you needed me specifically to help with something, so I guess you were desperate? I dunno," I sweep my leg behind me, putting my left hand under my right elbow as I do my classical thinking position, "Mayhaps," I drag the word out officiously, "You were madly in love with my irresistible charm and decided to give me any nerd's wet dream to try and woo me!"
I grinned up as I saw the exact same expression that had just crossed my face cross his. Disgust, worry, shock, all the same, "Worry not, good sir, I have since resisted your bribery into my heart and merely accepted it as a gift from a well-meaning friend."
My grin didn't fade as he looked at me, unimpressed. That was a great fucking joke and no one could tell me differently.
"I don't give that sonic to just anyone, you know," The Doctor said blandly.
"I don't make cringey jokes to just anyone, you know," I repeated just as blandly. We stared into the other's eyes for a moment before I grinned and started laughing, "Oh cheer up man. It can't be as bad as we're both hoping it isn't. I mean, we're both rather stubborn, we'd never do something stupid like fall in love. Again, it was a bribe to get me to comply. Life or death for you, less so for me," I shrugged, shaking my head.
"I thought you cared," He touched where one of his hearts was, looking faux-hurt, "Telling me to make sure I ate."
"Eh. Spoilers. I do care about you, though, and you better have fucking listened. If I see your ribs poking out unhealthily I will force feed you," I snapped, poking him in the chest. He looked conflicted for a moment, before speaking.
"You'd have to travel with me to even attempt that," The Doctor denied.
"So mote it be," I said unerringly with a determined nod, "You no longer have a choice. I'm joining you on your adventures to make sure you eat properly and take care of yourself."
The Doctor looked conflicted, but I didn't care as I started grilling him on what was happening.
"So… did you cling to an iceberg yet? What's happening now?"
"Nothin. I was just about to go back to the TARDIS."
"Allons-y, then," I muttered, gesturing to the side. Giving me a peculiar look he walked in the exact opposite direction. I made a face at his back before following. I got a few stares, but because of my short hair they must have excused my "uncouth" outfit as me being a dude.
I frowned, making sure to stick as close to the Doctor as I could. Fucking people, I hated these stares. The Doctor glanced at me more than once whenever I bumped into him, but I paid it no mind as I looked around at the people giving us judgemental stares.
"If you weren't wearin' that hotel robe maybe they wouldn't stare," The Doctor suggested, and I looked down at my robe with a frown, shaking my head.
"I don't wear short sleeves only. Not how I roll," I admitted with a shrug.
"Ah. The scars?" The Doctor asked knowingly. I shook my head but remained silent. No, just a personal preference. Some people feel naked without gloves on, or glasses, or hats, or whatever. I just felt naked without long sleeves.
We walked in silence after that, and soon we arrived at the TARDIS again. I observed it, and the Doctor looked at me closely even as I observed the TARDIS in close detail.
The coral struts, the golden green console, the ratty cushions on the railings that looked like the Doctor threw them up haphazard, unlike the appearance that it was just a part of the charm in the show. I observed the worn and torn "pilot's seat" that's too far away to actually be one. I spun around to see the usually unseen ceiling, along with all the circle-thingies that not even the Doctor knows the use of.
Before, I hadn't paid it much attention, but as this would be my new home until the Doctor turned into a fatty, I took the time to look at all the details. I looked down, then, seeing the grating and observed it heavily. Now, don't get me wrong, my passive expression was only there because if it broke, the Doctor would kick me out for fangirling. No one likes squealing and jumping around. Or, well, I needed my dignity intact.
"Usually when people first see the TARDIS, they say something. Anything, really," The Doctor said awkwardly.
"She's..." Say it. I need to. I need to say it, "Bigger on the inside," I said awkwardly, "Like. Bigger than I expected. In a good way, unlike someone."
"You want me to be bigger on the inside?" He asked, amused.
"Dude. Your shirt shouldn't hang off your frame like that, you should eat more," I said, eyebrows scrunching together in worry as I frowned at him, "Not to mention you should never travel alone. Secret rule number one. Rule zero, actually."
He gave me a confused look, "You shouldn't tell me my future rules... Why does my future even have rules?"
"Everyone has rules. You just don't voice yours for a while yet. Plus, I'm talking about companion rules. Rule number zero, you need a companion at all times. Because everyone needs someone," I shrugged, observing the man before me once more. Truly observing him.
He was... gaunt. He hadn't been eating, and that worried me. He had bags under his eyes, meaning he hadn't been sleeping well either. I frowned. His clothes did hang off his frame, even though they fit in the shoulders. Where muscle and fat was supposed to be was flesh and bone. That... Wasn't good. I flattened my expression and looked around awkwardly.
"I love you and all, but you need to take more care of yourself," I warned, "You don't want me going all mother hen on you. Also, Sexy is the most beautiful being in existence, and I don't think you tell her that enough. I mean, look at her!" I spun around, a glimmer in my eyes as a soft smile played around my lips. Beautiful. Brilliant. Awesome. It was great, and I never wanted to get used to this sight, just so I could adore it every time I laid eyes on it.
"I tell her she's beautiful all the time!" The Doctor said defensively, crossing his arms and pouting. I smile at the sight of the classical Ninth. My eyes warmed, I wanted to keep him him for as long as I could.
"You insulted her so much just by claiming she wasn't sentient. I bet you're going to have a few inconveniences until she forgets or forgives, which, I mean, she doesn't forget," I admitted.
"Why do you care so much?" The Doctor changed the subject, turning to face me, warily curious. I take a deep breath, slowly releasing it.
"Tough one. Spoilers, too..." I shrugged. Saying that I was a fan would get me kicked off of the TARDIS pronto. I was more than the fans on this world, though. All Guhan Whovians were more. Knowing the events of his life... "I just care. I'm not psychically empathic, but I have a great sense of empathy even still, and... I don't understand, not fully, but I understand and know enough to care about you as a person."
It's silent for a few moments after that, and the Doctor shakes his head. He walked to the console, "What's your favorite food?" I asked in a non sequitur.
"Banana. Where do you want to go?"
I paused. Saying 2005 London, Hendricks at night was a bit too specific, wasn't it? I... Wasn't really the best of people to hang out with. He needed an actual companion by his side.
"Where were you going after this?" I asked.
"I was plannin' on going to see JFK," The Doctor admitted easily. I bobbed my head easily.
"History, the most beautiful thing to experience," I claimed as I waved for him to go. He gave me an almost calculating look before shaking his head with a grin.
"I know just where to go," He said, "JFK can wait." He grinned at me, and I grinned back even as he started running around the console, and I watched closely at what he flicked, making sure to keep it in mind for whenever we appeared.
I put my hands in my pocket, only to find a piece of paper. Pulling it out, I opened it curiously and looked at it. I pulled out my phone, before pausing. I missed my laptop, which had all of the Gallifreyan English on it. I frowned at the mix of Old Gallifreyan and the usual concentric circles. Old? Ancient? What was it called? High Gallifreyan, right? I stared at the paper for a moment before folding it carefully and putting it in my jean pockets.
"Why are you wearing all red, by the way?" The Doctor asked, glancing over at me, "Even the hotel robe is red."
"Uhh, Spoilers?" At his look I clarified, "Not for you, for me this time. I met someone who knew future-me, and I guess they thought I'd only wear red or something? I don't know, does it mean anything besides party?"
His eyes darkened as he looked at the varying shades, "In Gallifrey it has a meaning, yeah."
I perk up, "What? I'm curious what my future self could possibly be thinking."
He observed me, before also perking up, but more sarcastically, "Spoilers!" He said cheerfully. I gaped at him. Oh. Ow, my poor bleeding heart.
Suddenly he grinned at me and pulled a lever, the entire TARDIS shaking. I stumbled, quickly grasping the railing. I kept my footing, and we were off.