A/N: Really, Really, short chapter….but there isn't too many chapters left. And things are getting wound up slowly but surely. Please R/R
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Chapter Nineteen: The Noblest of Tasks
After all the creaking and groaning of the TARDIS, silence prevailed over the planet. The planet did not swallow them whole. Although Sarah Jane could have sworn that the Doctor had held onto her a few times for comfort, because he was afraid. Although afterwards he denied it all, "Honestly Sarah Jane, you're going to have to stop latching onto me all the time. It's not healthy."
"Healthy! If I remember correctly you're the one that nearly squeezed me to death."
"Only because you asked for it."
"Asked for it, I never asked you for anything, Doctor."
A light rapping was heard at the TARDIS door and the Doctor opened it. He opened it and looked around expecting to see Tash, in fact he couldn't find her at all. But a light tug at his trench coat and he looked down to what looked like an eight to ten year old girl.
She smiled softly, "Hello Doctor."
"Tash? What happen did you shrink in the wash?"
Tash rolled her eyes a bit, "No….I did not shrink in the wash as you put it. The mental energies of my people, I…well…." Tash sighed lightly, "It was a lot of energy….it overwhelmed me even and….well….I am not young anymore and the next thing I knew…."
The Doctor smiled, "Your biological process kicked in and you aged younger. Ahh...kind of a strange feeling, isn't it?"
Tash nodded sadly. "Everything is so much bigger than I am use to."
The Doctor grinned, "You'll get use to it. I know the feeling; believe me, although I have never regenerated to the age of a child, now that would be weird."
Sarah Jane reached out to embrace Tash, kind of like a mother would do for a young child, the poor girl seemed slightly upset and so Sarah Jane moved forward to comfort her and…
Tash jumped back, "Hey…."
The Doctor laughed, "Humans and maternal instinct. You'll have to excuse Sarah Jane, it's that human instinct. Go and cuddle the child bit."
Tash said firmly, "I don't need cuddling."
Sarah Jane blushed lightly, slightly embarrassed, she had sort of forgotten about the fact of Tash's people aging in reverse. But Tash looked as cute as buttons, she kind of invoked into the human mind that she needed hugging. "Sorry…"
The Doctor smirked; Tash was probably not in a good mood. And who could blame her. She was edging closer to the final stages of her lifespan. A child, at least in Mala'shrian society, was a person that was coming to terms with their own mortality. "Look at it this way, Tash. You can now get into Disneyland at a discounted rate. I'll take you there if you like."
Tash sighed, "No Doctor, this planet must be cleansed. You know very well that what we did was…." She paused, "We have never acted out as one universal force, for such a very long time. The elders forbad such a practice, to use life to take life, we only did so when the need arose and it would take an old mind, like mine to be able to…." Tash sniffed lightly, "To do it, to initiate and bring all the minds of the Mala'shra in a violent act of war. I have broken ages of non-violent tradition, Doctor. It is not an honorable thing. Many of us have decided that the only way to forgive such a transgression is to plant this planet and make it bloom…. what is the human term….like a…well like a rose. Otherwise, the blood that was shed today….this planet will never rise to it's fullest potential, it will be forever marred, by what we have done."
The Doctor smiled softly. He looked deeply into Tash's eyes, "You really are a noble race, Tash. To rebuild worlds is a noble task."
He gave Tash a hug, "You're one of a kind." He then said, "So….what now?"
Tash smiled, "Well some of us need a ride back to Mala'shi. And I need to get some supplies before we start this task. Would you take us back home, Doctor?"
The Doctor grinned, "I'd be honored Tash."