Chapter Nineteen:

The morning of the twelfth came along with understanding that Alex would have a very, very long day. Alex was already aware of what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go. He had slept with the golden compass in his pocket the entire evening to prevent himself from spiraling into the late not regrets of Greendale citizens. In the morning, after he had freshened up and dressed, he looked to the compass as if it had become part of him. Somehow in his dreams he had formed an attachment to the device that could bring about the ruin of the entire universe.

That was alright.

Alex had briefly jotted down the list of dates and times he wanted to return to on his desk. He ripped it free from his notebook to give it a glance over one more time. When he was satisfied he folded it into his pocket where he had slept with the compass. The next thing he needed was the pocketknife Luke had given him. When it was given to him Alex realized it was such a precious gift he did not want to lose it. He typically kept it in his bedside table but he felt an urge to place it in his pocket with him as a source of comfort and a reminder that Luke was always with him. With everything packed on him he picked up the compass.

He opened the device and looked down at the face lined with infinity of tick marks. With Alexys he had uncovered what the tick marks meant and how to work the device. The size of tick marks began with years then traveled down to months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds. When it first opened it was a perfect circle of ticks with a small dial at the center and a large red triangle that could be used to touch upon the lines in counter clockwise form. Alex found that when the red triangle reached all the way back to where it had begun the face began to spiral and replace the current face with different set as it went further back in time.

The compass always returned to where the timeline was in chronological order as if it reset. That meant if Alex went to December 4th as soon as he landed it would be waiting on December 12th for him to return to his original timeline. Alex had no fear of getting stuck in the past.

He took in a deep breath, scrolled the dial to the left a few tick marks, then pressed the center dial.

December 1st

The crowd at Cerberus Books became louder than expected.

He stood at the small hallway that separated the bathrooms from vampires, werewolves, and zombie. Alex had found a moment during the date when he had excused himself to use the bathroom. The sound of the restaurant was louder than he recalled with Luke but to be fair they were tucked away from the sounds of the evening. Alex stepped away from the bathrooms with the express decision of immersing himself into the din of the diner. He stood and let his eyes fall around the many faces.

At the counter was Dr. Cerberus with a few other employees handling takeout and putting in orders. Other employees brought food from the kitchen that was near Alex standing by the bathroom. He wondered if Rose had even gotten there ye—

Crash.

A quiet string of British curse words came from around the corner. Alex looked around and saw Rose picking up piles of food that had fallen from her tray. Without thinking Alex immediately rushed to her side and began picking up what he could.

"I don't know what happened. I swear I had it and then it just toppled over," she tried to explain but her voice was so rushed it came out in a blur of words.

"It's fine. I can't tell you how many things I've dropped or broken things, myself. You're fine," Alex tried to pacify her but found himself getting more and more nervous the closer he crouched by her. He cursed himself for not thinking of something to say to her before going back in time.

"No, Dr. Cee told me next time I break something it's comin' out of my pay and I can't afford that," she looked near tears.

"Well, I'll cover it. I'll just let him know that it was my fault. I was looking for the bathroom and crashed right into you and now here we are," it was a genuine offer but the heat in his face when they made eye contact made him feel guilty.

"You don't have to do that," was she blushing too?

"It's the least I can do…my name is Alex, by the way," he cleaned his hand on his pants as he stood and offered it to her for a shake.

She took it with a gentle squeeze, "I'm called Briar. Are you the one in the private booth with the gentleman?"

"Yeah, it was a surprise," Alex felt his face burn hotter the longer she held his hand.

"Well, you're both very lucky," she released him, "I won't keep you. Go enjoy yourself!"

"I am," he meant it with sincerity but it came out smoother than he intended.

She noticeably blushed and put on a bashful smile, "Likewise."

"Briar! Where is table D's food?"

"Oh, shite!" she turned back into the kitchen.

Alex chuckled then pulled out his compass once again.

December 2nd

Alex found himself walking away from Alexys and the loud guitar of the Twelfth Doctor. He immediately began to run toward the corner he had lost Professor Schmidt instead of following him specifically. His plan was to cut off the man or at least get into position to follow him much closer than before.

He got to the corner and just as he did the raggedy man rounded and bumped into him.

"Oh! Goodness, oh no!" he shouted, helping Alex to stabilize and not completely lose it on the ground, "Alexander! What on Earth?"

"Professor, I was just looking for y—"

"Walk and talk, Alexander, walk and talk. I am very, very late for a very important…gathering," he shouted in a brisk walk.

Alex quickly followed, nearly having to run to keep up the long strides beside the man, "I wanted to ask about the final!"

"Oh, right. That bloody thing," he huffed.

"Yes, what about it?" he questioned.

"It seems I am unable to answer that question. I will no longer be your substitute. Professor W is back and will take up her rightful place," he suddenly turned into the Cafeteria.

"And where will you go!" Alex nearly skidded as he switched gears to follow the man.

"I will—"

"You're late."

Alex froze.

"Please, dear, I was assisting a student," he leaned down to kiss the woman's cheek.

She simply tilted her head upward toward the tall man without taking her eyes off of Alex, "Can you vouch for him?"

"I can!" it took all of Alex's strength to get the words out.

"Alexander. This is my fri—"

A stern look went his way.

"Girlfriend! Companion! Partner, as it were. Dr. Clarissa Oswin," he motioned toward the shorter woman at his side.

She put down the motorcycle helmet on the table next to another one as she extended her hand, "You may call me Dr. Clara."

"Dr. Clara!" he extended his hand and shook the woman's.

"Yes, and you are Alexander?" she confirmed.

He nodded, his face beet red, "Alex. You can call me Alex."

She regarded him with curiosity as she pulled her hand back and looked up to the Eleventh Doctor, "These Americans are quite odd, aren't they?"

"Oh, Alexander is a good one though," he patted his head, "Just looked at his hair all sticking up in places it shouldn't. Adorable!"

Alex jumped to push down his cowlicks, "I—uh, Professor? You were saying you aren't going to be teaching us anymore. Where are you going?"

"My services have been requested by the Air Conditioning Repair Annex," he smiled warmly.

"Right now your services are requested by yours truly," she took one of the helmets and gave it to him in a rough manner that made him go 'oof.' She smiled and gave a quick salute, "It was a pleasure meeting you, Alex."

"Yes, it was a pleasure!" they were already walking away but as they turned Alex thought he noticed something odd.

A blue crescent moon necklace.

He pulled out the compass once more and moved the dial to what was supposed to be a few hours later to the Bonfire but suddenly a strong body bumped into him and he pushed too far forward.

December 5th

In Alex's new memory it was Jeff Winger that bumped into him which sparked his time hanging out with him, Britta and Annie.

Suddenly though he was sitting beside Alexys who looked at him in confusion. Her hand reached up to her head as she looked at Alex, "Is it just me or is everything…changing?"

He nodded his head, "It's changing."

"Oh, Alex!"

He looked to see Rose, or…Briar, behind the counter with their drinks, "Hey, Briar. Today doesn't seem so bad."

She blushed, "No, I think I've got a better handle on the dishes when it's not so busy."

Alex chuckled and reached for his drink only to find that her hand was still around the glass. She did not pull away but Alex did quickly with an apology, "Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about, love," she gave a little wink and walked away.

Alexys looked to Alex and mouthed the words, "WHAT. THE. FUDGE."

He shrugged, "I don't know!"

The conversation was much more pleasant than the first time around. She sat with them at the counter and they talked about Father Blackwood and all the people turning up in black clothes. She told them how they tried to put flyers up in the store but Dr. Cerberus denied it. Since he did odd things had been happening like the alarms going off in the middle of the night and Dr. Cee having to go to check on the place but nothing would be stolen or missing. She thought it was a cult that moved into the small town where it was easy pickings.

Alex and Alexys did not disagree.

Alexys stood to use the bathroom and when she did Rose came to him, "It seems you're always in company, aren't you?"

"Oh, she's just my cousin," he blushed at her.

"And Luke?"

"Oh L-Luke?" he stammered, unsure if Rose was checking his relationship status or if she was just trying to be nice.

"Yeah, Luke," she smirked, "You know. I've been here for a year and have yet to see much of this town. Maybe you two could meet me after work tomorrow and show me what you both do for fun?"

Based on what he and Luke had been doing for fun the answer was sex. His face went completely red but he nodded, "Okay."

She smiled, "See you then."

Alex immediately pulled out the compass and fast forwarded it to the night in question.

December 6th

Alex found himself in what seemed to be a pit stop.

He stood in the Greendale halls when he really wished to be with Rose Tyler. He looked to his compass with confusion. Had it shorted out before making it the full way through? Were there limits to his power? Was he going to be stuck in that moment and forced to relive all the events that got him there?

Tap, tap.

The sound captured Alex's attention.

With cautious steps he walked toward the study room and found Troy and Abed. They were recording themselves pretending to be dinosaurs as they tried to work the compass in hand. It was mostly them with their arms in their sleeves trying to grasp it. When they couldn't do it with their hands they used their mouth. Alex couldn't help but chuckle.

"Oh, you. You're the Bake Sale Lady's nephew," Troy spoke.

"The one Shirley hates?" Abed questioned.

Troy's eyes grew wide the way they did when someone said something they were not supposed to in front of the person they were not supposed to, "Well…I wouldn't say that."

"It's fine," Alex chuckled as he walked inside, "What are you two doing?"

"We're trying to figure out how these work," Abed knocked the compass on the table a few times, "Pierce said he could go back in time but I think mine's broken."

"Weren't you supposed to give it to the weather guy?"

"We don't trust him," Abed and Troy spoke in unison.

"Why not?"

"The hair," they spoke in unison again.

"I didn't get a good look at him," Alex had his brows furrowed.

"Here, I took a video of that night," Abed pulled his camera forward and scrolled through the footage.

"Oooh! Hello!" came the kind voice of Shirley with specially wrapped backing goods, "Would you all like some cookies?"

They looked to her with a nod.

She slid over some specially wrapped cookies but Alex looked to her with a frown, "These taste like my Aunt Hilda's."

"Oh…" her voice got deeper, "That pagan is your Aunt?"

"SHIRLEY! DID YOU TAKE MY COOKIES!"

"I was never here!" she ran off down the hall and quickly behind her was Aunt Hilda.

Abed, Troy, and Alex looked to each with a shrug.

Abed pressed play

"My name is James Robert McCrimmon."

Alex stepped behind them to watch the video unfold.

"Your Mayor invited me here this afternoon after the morning's events. I believe I can offer some explanation to the issue at hand."

Alex blinked.

Then blinked again.

And again.

And again.

He wondered how he had not guessed before.

The identity of James Robert McCrimmon had suddenly been revealed.

He was the 10th Doctor.

December 6th

Alex was suddenly sitting in a booth across from Luke who was giving him the eyes. The memories of everything he had just uncovered hit him like a ton of bricks. But the last patron of Cerberus Books left and with it Rose locked the door.

There had been flirting, lots and lots of flirting from all directions in all ways and all paths between the three of them that Alex still could not believe. There was touching and in between Rose waiting tables she would sit on either side of the booth and touch their arm or their leg. At first Alex was worried Luke would be jealous but he seemed to be the opposite. For a moment Alex wondered if he should be jealous but then Rose Tyler began walking back to their booth and he could not stop himself from turning red.

"What say you both follow me to the private booth?"

"Yes," both Alex and Luke nearly stumbled out of the booth in unison.

A fresh, womanly smirk graced her lips as she nodded, "I'll meet you both there with some wine then?"

"Yes," they once again spoke at the same time and grabbed each other's hand as they nearly skipped to the booth that had been their date days before.

Alex ran through what had occurred in his mind and thanked the man at his side for being so complimenting-ly charming. The whole time Luke had been flirting with Rose in a way that flattered her and lifted Alex up. There was never a selfish slip of his tongue that painted him in any different way. In fact, it almost seemed as though Luke would be fine if Rose and Alex snuck off alone until Rose began touching his arm too and then he was very eager to join. Both men scooted into the booth and waited.

Their bodies were already burning with excitement and desire for the blonde but as they looked to one another they couldn't keep their hands off each other under the table. Alex couldn't stop himself from asking, "Is this really happening?"

"If it's okay with you?" Luke began to kiss Alex's neck.

He blushed brightly, "Is it okay with you?"

"I want you to be happy, Alex, and if I can be happy with you? Well, that's only a plus."

Alex shivered at his words, "I love you so much, Luke."

The man pulled back with a smile and looked into Alex's eyes, "I love you too."

They kissed, full, deep, passionate, real.

"Are you two havin' all the fun now?"

They pulled back and gasped.

In front of them stood Rose Tyler with only two bottles of wine positioned—one horizontal in front of her chest and one vertical over her pelvis—to cover her nakedness. Luke quickly stood and pushed the round table forward away from where they sat so that she had space between them, "Never without you, Briar."

"Good boy," she smirked as she sauntered over to the empty spot between them and handed the wine to Luke, "Open this."

He happily got to work.

Rose trailed her finger beneath Alex's chin before taking his glasses and putting them somewhere safe, "See something you like?"

Alex nodded and in a hard to control voice spoke positively, "Yeah."

She leaned forward and pressed a seductive kiss to his lips, "Good."

It was the best night of Alex's life.

Truly.

Purely.

Completely.

Hands down the best threesome and it did not end at Cerberus Books.

After a few swimming hours they found it too chilly to continue there and so Rose invited them back to her flat only a block away. They dressed as if in a sprint, cleaned as if their lives depended on it, then rushed to her home. It was a one bedroom that was decorated in such an adorably Rose way that Alex walked in and paused to take it all in. He couldn't believe how cu—

He was not able to continue his thoughts.

Rose grabbed him by the shirt and kissed him with all the fire of a supernova. Luke was behind him, kissing at his neck and his shoulder as they both helped to disrobe him. Alex once again decided that this was his reality and no one could take it away from him.

Hours later they all slept comfortably together in her queen sized bed.

Alex thanked the skies that no one had messed with time during the hours he enjoyed the company of Rose Tyler and Luke Chalfant. After sometime he stood from the bed and searched for his pants that he left behind with the start of the second round of events. In the make shift living room he found them and grabbed the pocket watch but as he did he caught sight of an old journal on the coffee table.

He immediately did not want to look through it but there was something going off inside of him that made Alex feel like it was a necessity. With a delicate touch he opened the cover and saw the words:

Dream Journal

He began to sift through the pages.

He froze.

There was a rough sketch of two individuals.

Upon further investigation he realized it was supposed to be him and Alexys. Part of his heart softened at the crude attempt but the other part hardened with worry. The dream was outlined in rough bullet points as if she had just experienced the dream and then wrote it down. The setting was that of a Sunday Service. Instead of the choir that usually welcomed them it was two strange individuals. They were not singing and instead had sacks over their heads while they were restrained. A man walked to them dressed in black and pulled the girl from where she was bound.

The man brought her to the center of the pulpit and pushed her onto her knees in front of the congregation and declared she would be a worthy first sacrifice for the great and mysterious Beast. Everyone cheered at the grand news that the Beast would be satiated. They all raised their hands in welcome and horror a large curtain was pulled back to reveal a massive crack.

The dream doubled back to them being chased by two horrifying creatures.

A drawing was attached.

Alex gasped.

He had to warn Alexys.

Present

"Alexys! Alexys!"

It was evening when he returned to the present time but that didn't change anything.

He ran through the house in search of her but she was nowhere to be found. He called her phone over and over again until he got an answer, "Alexys! Where are you?"

"I'm going home. What's wrong?"

"Come back here. NOW."

The lights to the Spellman Mortuary shut off and Alex was left alone in the dark.