"Are you ready?" the Doctor asked.
"As I'll ever be, yes, I am ready," Janeway confirmed.
"Now as soon as we step out of these doors you have to chose this watch." He explained, the watch's smooth brass face was opened to them, three small yellow faces were situated around a larger roman numeral face," the longer we wait, the longer it remains open, the more opportunity it gives the Family of Blood to find where, and when, we are."
"You have informed me about all of this. I understand." Janeway confirmed.
"Oh, and one more thing," he said, his eyes darting between her eyes, he seemed more anxious than she ever thought possible from this rambunctious man, there are those who may, what's the word, know me, or have some idea of me, here."
"How is that possible?"
"Well, let's just say I could have been here before. I may come here tomorrow. I could look different, but it is too great a risk."
"So we must maintain a certain level of anonymity, is what your are saying."
"Exactly," the Doctor confirmed, "here." He handed her the fob watch and with it the key to the TARDIS."
"What is this? A Key?" She looked at the strange object in her hand. All doors were automated aboard Voyager, and even in her home growing up in Indiana.
"'Course it's a key!" The Doctor said, "Blimey, I thought you said you were familiar with history!"
"I am! I scored remarkably well in my history survey exams from the fall of the Roman empire to the second American industrial revolution!" Janeway defended.
"Brilliant," the Doctor whined, "just please, whatever you do, don't get us killed."
"I assure you Doctor, I shall do whatever is in my power to return home to Voyager, and if keeping you alive if the only way to do that, I will." Janeway defended herself.
They looked at each other. It was evident their anger was caused by nothing but anxiety. The Doctor softened first. He offered a weak smile. Janeway returned with one of her own.
"Allons-y," the Doctor whispered as he reached for her hand absently. She grabbed his hand with her own. Her thin fingers laced through his without thought. Had they waited a second longer, the interaction would have been very awkward, but at that moment, he opened the door and they stepped through the entrance. As the doors shut behind them, Janeway closed the Fob watch.
It was as if all of the air in the room froze. Janeway felt wind gush through her hair and clothes all centering on the small watch she clenched in her hand. It felt very hot, so hot she wanted to drop the device, but her fingers did not budge. Just as the whirlwind around them peaked, it disappeared, a quickly as it had come on. They were left standing in a large and dark vault-like room filled with covered figurines and artifacts. She could smell the distinct odor of desert flowers and sand. She turned to look at the Doctor, still squeezing her hand. His eyes were blank, and his face looked at once both sad and numb.
She did not know if she should say anything. She turned to look at the TARDIS. It actually fit rather snugly between two large partially derogated sarcophagi. If she didn't know exactly from where they had just stepped, she might have overlooked it for just a packing crate, sure of odd color, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Without saying anything, or dropping her hand, the Doctor began to walk forward. At first his steps were unsure, like a young fawn, but as the seconds ticked, his strides grew more powerful, more energetic. It took Janeway almost by surprise, and she moved her legs quickly to keep up with him. He was so similar to the man she had just met, had felt to immediately comfortable with and almost connected to, but yet, something was very different.
He's human, she thought, in both surprise and horror, that's what he meant by its high cost, it meant that he is now human.
At the far end of the cavernous vault, a light flicked over a small stairwell. He made his way to the light, with Janeway following in a brisk stride.
"Doctor?" she asked.
He did not respond, only let go of her hand so they could pass under an elaborately carved monument. Janeway paused to examine the work. It was exquisite; the hieroglyphics were etched into the soft stone. She wanted to place her hand on the work, the ancient cultural artifact. But the Doctor was already several paces ahead of her, and only gaining speed. She took one more look at the monument before she went to catch up with him. By the time he reached stairwell, she was at a run and only managed to follow him before he disappeared from view.
They traveled up the stairwell for what felt to Janeway several stories.
"I must ask," she called to his back, prancing up the stairs, her breath was becoming labored, "do you know where we are going?"
He turned to look at her; she was surprised he acknowledged her words.
"I think so," he confessed, "only I was here so long ago, when I was sent to study here before the great war, I'm afraid I've gotten us a little lost."
"Lost?" Janeway asked. Her mind shuffled through this new information. War, study, here before? These must be part of the reconstructed life the TARDIS Janeway rationalized.
"But never worry, Kat," he breathed, turning to continue up the path, "I think the entry way is just a flight above."
She sighed. She had never been called Kat before, not by an essentially a perfect stranger. And yet, she thought, he isn't a stranger. It's like I've known him all my life.
The passageway narrowed out onto a small landing with a wooden door. The Doctor, or whatever he now called himself, pushed through the door and entered a large and lofty entryway. It was like the nave of a great church, or one of the political halls in 20th century Washington DC. Large transepts crossed the ceiling, centering on a very large dome. It was beautiful. Janeway could not help but pause and admire the architecture. She spun while observing the heavy columns and light pouring through the stained windows.
"Ah, Dr. Smith!" a voice called from the large staircase in the center of the grand room, "you've arrived, finally. I trust the voyage was not too strenuous." Janeway turned to see the origin of the voice. An elderly man, with white hair and a round face walked down the stairs towards them.
"We flew actually!" The Doctor said, "In a aeroplane, fantastic view of the Pyramids coming in, absolutely brilliant."
The Doctor had moved behind Janeway, his hand pressed protectively on her back. It surprised her, but before she could move away, the man spoke again.
"And this must be the lovely Mrs. Smith," the man reached them and extended his hand to the Doctor. Janeway's eyes bulged. She had not been aware the backstory the TARDIS would construct for them would turn out like this.
"Doctor?" she demanded, her mouth hanging open slightly, and looking from the confused old man to her young, supposed, husband.