A/N: The TV show Doctor Who is referenced in this story. You can enjoy without having seen the show, but it helps. If you've never seen it, The Doctor is from a planet called Gallifrey, which is where all Time Lords are from. Gallifrey is long since destroyed. Clara is a girl who appears throughout different periods in history whom the Doctor keeps running into. (He can travel through time, and she isn't supposed to be able to, which is why she's nicknamed "The Impossible Girl.") I recommend you check the show out - it's quite fun! I particularly like the Matt Smith seasons with Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) as the companion.
"Do you think the Doctor technically counts as on 0-8-4?"
Simmons turned to look at Fitz seated next to her on the couch, stuffing handfuls of popcorn into his mouth.
"What?" She asked, leaning forward to pause the Doctor Who episode the pair were watching.
Fitz swallowed the popcorn, clearing his throat before asking again, much clearer, "Do you think the Doctor would be an 0-8-4?"
"I…." Simmons started to respond, then paused, squinting her eyes at the screen as she sat up straighter, actually taking the question seriously. "Well, I was going to say that technically, no, of course not, he's a 900-something year old Time Lord from Gallifrey, so his origin is known. But,"
"But," Fitz broke in, continuing for her, "since he is over 900 years old, no one is around to verify his claim. And since he travels through time, he would be able to manipulate any history book he wanted to reflect any origin story that he wanted."
"Yes, so really his origin could be any fiction that he created!" Simmons said, breaking into a smile. "Although, doesn't the fact that he is able to travel time automatically define him in some way? The same way that if you or I were to be biologically examined, we would certainly reflect an upbringing on Earth."
"True, but his planet no longer exists. And, as we previously deduced, he can manipulate all the evidence he wants, so there's no way to absolutely prove he's from the planet he claims since the planet is no longer there."
"But all Time Lords are from Gallifrey."
"So he says."
"So history sa — ahh, but again, he are faced with the irrefutable fact that he can control history." Simmons laughed lightly and turned to exchange broad smiles with Fitz, basking in the comfortable, familiar feeling of another solution found.
Simmons reached over and grabbed a handful of popcorn, playfully batting away Fitz' arm as he tried to block her access. "What brought up your question?" She asked.
"Oh," Fitz answered, words once again muffled by popcorn. "Just something Skye said. She was asking about 0-8-4s and if it's possible for one to be a person. I told her it was unlikely, but possible. I've been thinking about it all afternoon, and I thought the Doctor was probably the only person who could fit that category."
Simmons hummed her agreement and leaned forward, hitting play on the remote to resume their episode. "Very astute, Dr. Fitz."
The pair leaned back into the couch, Fitz finally relinquishing his strangelhold on the bowl of popcorn, setting it between them so Simmons could easily reach it.
Both were silent for a few moments, enjoying the rerun of their favorite episode. As they watched the Doctor spit beans into the sink, accusing a young Amy Pond of poisoning him, Simmons froze, her hand hovering above the popcorn bowl.
"But, Fitz, by that logic," she said slowly, still working out the hypothesis in her mind, "Wouldn't Clara also be an 0-8-4?"
"Oh, The Impossible Girl! Of course!" Fitz exclaimed, hitting pause himself this time. The pair were off again, debating Clara's eligibility for 0-8-4 designation well into the night.
