Chapter 3

In The Puzzle

Disclaimer: And let's continue on! If anyone has ideas for situations and the like that the War Doctor deal with, send 'em my way!

Two Days Later

"Hmm… What's another word for rested?" Asked the Time Lord known as Theta a bit absent mindedly as sparks flew behind him from a console that would allow him to manually change the interior of the Tardis' control room.

As for some time now, that particular console had been damaged after a Dalek had fired off a shot that managed to get inside the Tardis. And thusly, leaving it in the state it had been for the past 3 centuries. Ace and Mickey paused in their work to look at one another in a confused manner. "Professor… Are, are you doing a crossword puzzle?" Asked the Nitro-9 inventor curiously.

"I am indeed! I never knew how engaging they could be!"

"I didn't even think you knew those existed." She told him somewhat amusedly while Mickey just shook his head with a grin.

Theta nodded at that. "Oh, I had some vague awareness of them but it wasn't until Sarah Jane brought me one the other day that I found myself getting absorbed in them! This is actually my 8th crossword book! Grace has even promised to find one of the medical versions for me to have fun with." Informed the centuries old man happily.

He was quite happy she hadn't left yet to return to the States since she had a lot of vacation time saved up and had chosen to use all of it to spend as much time with him as possible. She was also currently stocking up his medical room since it was in sore need of it. Though he likely wouldn't use any of it himself but it would be there for the odd person who joined him if he chose to continue his travels through time and space. A light hum in his mind had him chuckling some as his Tardis was of the opinion that he would get back out there eventually. "Now I don't quite recall those exact words, Theta." Came Grace's voice as the good doctor stepped into the main console room with a smile on her lips.

"Boss must be really lovin' the crosswords then if he doesn't remember how you worded things."

"Hah! I may be an old man in this body who certainly feels it, but my mind is still as sharp as ever, I'll have you know!" Retorted the centuries old man good naturedly.

The others rolled their eyes in amusement at him. It was odd to Mickey that despite his relative newness to the whole thing, they all made him feel like he'd been around them for years instead of a week and some change. Of course he had expressed his shock to Ace over the fact that the man formerly known as the Doctor not quite being up to the expectations many in UNIT had expressed to him had been vastly different. Making for Ace to remark that expectations often differed in comparison to the reality. Which made sense when it came to the Professor most of the time. "Ah, Do-I mean, Theta, there you are." The Brigadier said he as he came into the Tardis.

Stopping momentarily as even to this day, he could never quite get over how the Tardis could be so impossible with its ability to be bigger on the inside then out despite his old friend's explanation. He hoped that one day, Humanity would be as capable as his old friend's people in creating such things. Theta looked up at his old friend with a smile on his face. "Hello Brigadier! I don't suppose you would know another word for rested, would you?"

"Hmm… Peaceful comes to mind."

Trying it, the old man found it worked much to his happiness. "Ah! Good call, Brigadier, good call!"

Chuckling as he shook his head, the good Brigadier chose to get down to business. "I was wondering if perhaps you and the others here would like to come with me and Doris to a dining establishment known as 'Clara's. I've been told from Sarah Jane that the service is excellent there."

"Its definitely ace! Clara's kinda reminds me of when the Professor and I first met at the Ice Cream Parlor on Iceworld." Reminsced Ace with a happy look on her face as she thought of that time and others.

A look Theta saw and knew immediately that the young lady he truly thought of as a daughter was lost in some of her happier memories of their time together during his 7th life. "Well then, If both Sarah Jane and Ace think so highly of this place, then I suppose it couldn't hurt to visit!"

Cheers went up at that. "I've been there a time or two meself but Rose has never been too high on it for some reason."

"Her loss then, young man."

And though it took a little effort for him to get up, Theta managed it and the group were soon on their way for a meal or two and many a drink. Not to mention a story or two being told as well!

Author's Notes: Not very actiony I know but I hope to do something in that area soon.