Two nights later Marge passed quietly in her sleep. The morning after her passing, Renee had tried to wake Marge and when failing to do so, called on the Doctor and Donna for help. "I'm sorry," the Doctor said when he came out of Marge's room. "I'm so sorry, she's gone."
Renee, who had held her breath during the wait, released it in a heart wrenching sob. She collapsed to the floor. Donna, who was by her side while they waited, knelt with her and made comforting noises and stroked Renee's white blond head. But Renee couldn't be consoled at the moment. She had just lost her entire world.
The University spared no expense on what most people thought of as the most cherished member of the faculty in Its history. The school opened its coffers and paid for everything, from the cost of the actual funeral to the lavish luncheon afterward to commemorate its former Head Librarian.
Renee knew only a little of this. For the past week since Marge's passing,Renee had stayed in a sort of daze. She zoned in and out, just sort of existing. She was aware of the Doctor and Donna and their comings and goings. It seemed that the Doctor, even though it was unusual for his character as Donna had pointed out,(this thought in Renee's mind seemed to stick out from the many apparent conversations she'd had with Donna over the past few days) wanted to stay right where they were until as Donna had put it "someone lights a fire under his knickers".
So Donna helped Renee with moving her things out of the Head Librarian's quarters and into one of the dormitories that housed faculty and students. The Doctor went about doing whatever it was that the Doctor did. In a moment of clarity, Renee had asked Donna what the Doctor did when he would wander off. "Beats me, I can't fathom anything that man does. He's very secretive about everything sometimes." Donna had replied. "Drives me mad."
Renee just nodded and slipped back into her daze.
When the funeral was over and Renee moved fully into the dormitories, the Doctor announced to Donna that it was time to go. Donna broke the news to Renee, who came out of her daze as suddenly as she'd gone in. "You're leaving? Now?" she'd cried in disbelief.
Donna explained gently that it was a very rare thing for the Doctor to stay willing in one place for very long, and out of his respect for his former companion and the mess he'd created a few years ago, he'd stayed so that the transition of Marge's death and the aftermath would be smoother for Renee. Renee was shocked and grateful for the kindness, which she expressed to Donna. Renee had an gut feeling that if she'd tried to express her gratitude to the Doctor, he would shrug it off with a slightly uncomfortable look. Donna had just smiled in her knowing way.
So that's where they were now, standing in front of the TARDIS, Renee and Donna hugging goodbye with the Doctor standing at the door looking on.
"Promise me you'll not get into to much trouble eh?" Renee said, hugging Donna hard.
"As much as trouble is around him, I don't think I'll be able to keep that promise. Wouldn't trade anything for it though." Donna said hugging back.
Renee sighed. "I know. I almost wish I could come along just to see what its like." she said with a small smile. "Try and ring me occasionally would you? Just so I know you are all right?"
Donna nodded and stepped toward the TARDIS doors. "You take care of her you hear?" Renee said to the Doctor. "And yourself."
The Doctor grinned. "Good bye Renee." he said and stepped inside.
Donna quickly followed him in an shut the door behind her. Suddenly a pulsating, grinding noise came from the TARDIS and it started to disappear. Renee stood there until it was gone, then turned and started to head back to the dorms.
She was, for the first time in a long time, very unsure of her self and what she was going to do. As she listened absently to the crunching of gravel beneath her feet, Renee contemplated what she was going to do for the rest of her life. She'd given up her dream job, had no real home or family any longer. She could, in essence, just shrug off and disappear from the world she'd wrapped herself in for most of her life. Renee shook her head at that dangerous thought. No, she would continue on at the Library as she'd always done, and if another opportunity presented itself that was tempting she would think about taking it. Not be reckless. Weigh her options. After all, her ability she now had could jeopardize any new position she'd want to take. One wrong move, one wrong touch or vision. Someone finding out. She'd be taken away and studied. No, best to be cautious and under the radar.
As Renee pulled herself back to reality, she noticed the TARDIS' noise getting louder and louder around her. She turned and almost yelped in surprise. The TARDIS was materializing right in front of her! Suddenly the door opened and the Doctor poked his head out. "You know, I was thinking," he said rather excitedly. "I have a huge library that is absolutely disorganized. It wouldn't be that way if I had the time do it or had someone who had a thorough knowledge of the Dewy Decimal System. And one needs a good organized library in case one needs to look up things. So if I can't do it as being chased constantly and believe me its constantly, I need someone who can. And that person as Donna has convinced me, is you."
Renee's mouth honestly fell open in shock at what she realized was the Doctor's offer. A chance to travel! She was speechless. But then the doubts started clouding in her mind. Travel, leaving everything behind. The danger of distant worlds and times. What would happened if she'd gotten trapped somewhere and the Doctor couldn't save her? What if she died on some distant planet all alone and no one ever knew what became of her. She must be cautious. She must think this through.
Renee could see that the Doctor could sense her doubts and fears. He leaned forward and stretched out his hand. "Renee, come with us. I know what its like to be alone. And I know what it is like to regret." he said quietly. "You don't have to do this alone."
Without another thought Renee took his hand. To hell with caution and reason. She wanted for once to really live!
The inside of the TARDIS, as Renee had noticed the last time she stepped through the doorway, was still as large inside as it was small outside. It seemed to be just as ever a large central room with a coral like theme, with a control center in the middle. But now that Renee had time to study the room more closely, she noticed a hallway just off to the right from which Donna was emerging from. "Doctor, I can't seem to find the kitchen again." she said irritated, not seeming to notice that Renee was standing there. "Will you tell this bloody box to stop moving it about on me or I swear I'll-Oh my god, Renee!"
Renee suddenly found herself enveloped in a tight hug. "What on earth? I thought we left you back at the-wait did we go back? Is that what that lurching was all about? Doctor why didn't you tell me we were going back for her?" Donna fired her questions off rapidly, seemingly not wanting to wait for an answer.
"Well there wasn't really time it was more of a split second decision-" The Doctor started to answer Donna's last question but was interrupted.
"Oh who cares, it'll just be bloody nice to not to be the only female!" Donna chirped happily.
The TARDIS made a noise, as if to say that she was female too.
Donna rolled her eyes. "Human female then. Wait, you are human aren't you? You're not like the Doctor, with two hearts or brains or something?"
Renee's eyebrows raised in surprised. "You have two brains?" she asked, looking at the Doctor.
The Doctor rolled his eyes as well. "No no, just two hearts. I don't think I could handle having two brains. World of trouble that could be. Now Donna, could you let go of the girl for two minutes and show Renee around the TARDIS?"
Donna, who seemed to have forgotten she still had Renee enveloped in a hug, quickly let go. "Tell this bucket of bolts to stop moving rooms around on me then! I can't show her where everything is if I can't even find the rooms myself!" she said.
"Donna, if you'd be nicer to the TARDIS maybe she wouldn't move everything about on you. She has feelings." The Doctor said.
"Well you try be nice to something that-"
"Donna, I wouldn't." the Doctor said calmly. "She has a temper. Now go show Renee around. We've got things to see and do and I'm sure she's eager to get started."
Donna smiled. "Follow me then."
Renee was led down a long corridor from the entry way that Donna had entered from. She was shown the kitchen, laundry room, solar, and parlor. As they walked down the corridor, Donna looked back at Renee. "I'm assuming then that you haven't brought anything with you?" she asked with a smile.
"No, it was just more a quick decision than anything else. Its not like I planned and packed for it." Renee said.
Donna laughed. "Well I did! Had my car packed and ready in case I'd run into the Doctor at any point. But I needn't have worried. The Doctor's got a huge wardrobe full of things. You're much of a size aren't you? Well, I'll show you where it is so you can get clothes as you need them. And don't worry about taking anything from the wardrobe; the Doctor won't even notice."
After showing Renee the endless abyss that was the Doctor's clothes closet, Donna show her to an empty bedroom. It was large by Renee's standards, coming from living in a small apartment. There was a four poster bed, a chest of drawers, armiore, and a large bookshelf. Next to the bed was a simple night stand with a lamp. It had a very old homey feel to it, which suited Renee just fine. Renee gasped slightly when her eyes rested on the bay window. The view was magnificent. It was all pinks, purples, and orange sky, with fields of blue green grass. "Where is that view from?" she asked Donna.
"I have no idea. Some far off planet we haven't visited yet. Yours is different from mine though. I've got a view of a beautiful wildflower filled countryside." she sighed. "Yours is better though. I love the colors."
"I'd love to see yours."
Donna smiled. "Maybe later. Right now I've got to show you the Library. I think you'll love it."
The library surpassed Renee's greatest dreams. It seemed endless, yet strangely cozy. The shelves seemed to go on and on. They were filled with books and odd knick-nacks. Large chairs and a sofa surrounded the fireplace in the middle of the room. "Its so huge! I've never seen anything like this. Its even bigger than the university library!" she said, gazing around the room in awe.
Donna smiled. "Well I'm glad you like it. Though its hard trying to find anything in here believe me. Tried finding something in here to read late one night and ended up with a encyclopedia from the planet Calypso 54." she said.
"That's why I'm here. To organize this place. Though I admit," Renee said thoughtfully. "I didn't expect it to be this big. It may take me years to completely organize this by myself."
"You won't be completely alone Renee." the Doctor said from behind them, making Renee jump slightly in surprise. "The TARDIS can help, and I will as well in my down time. It won't take long at all."
"And how is the TARDIS going to help exactly?" Donna asked. "She gonna grow arms?"
"Not exactly." the Doctor said. "Donna, did it ever occur to you just how this place is kept so well with just us on board?"
"No I never thought about it." Donna said truthfully.
The Doctor's brow furrowed in aggravation at having to explain it."The TARDIS comes equipped with sentient holograms that do the menial tasks you and I don't have time for." he said. " They keep the Library, the kitchen, our rooms, everything here tidy. Here, let me show you."
He pulled out his sonic screwdriver, turned a few dials, and turned it on. Renee heard the buzzing and looked around to see what the screwdriver had done. Behind Donna, a black translucent being came into view. Renee gasped. Donna turned to see what it was and let out a squeak. "That thing's been in my room?" she gasped. "Touching my things?"
"Well not that one exactly but one like it. They're called Sendings. And they don't touch your stuff Donna, they just tidy the room. You know, all the domestic."
Renee laughed. "Doctor, you don't do domestic, do you?" she asked.
"No I don't. Don't have the time or inclination. So Renee, whenever you need them, just ask the TARDIS. She will provide as many as you need. As I said, with their help it won't take long at all. Would you like to get started?" the Doctor asked.
Renee nodded.
Not knowing where to begin first, Renee looked at the sending the doctor had summoned. "Do you have a name?" she asked it.
The sending shook its head no.
"Can you talk?"
Again the shake of the head no.
"So you can only answer yes or no questions."
The Sending shook its head yes.
"Well I can't just call you Sending that just seems rude. So what do I call you?" Renee mused, looking around.
She peered closer at the sending, and noticed a slight pinstripe motif in its coloring. "You have pinstripes! Do all the Sendings have them?" she asked.
The Sending again shook its head no.
"Do all of you have markings or is it just you?"
The Sending didn't move.
"Oh sorry I forgot. Just the first question; do all of you have markings?"
A shake of the head yes.
Renee smiled gleefully. "Wonderful! I'll call you Stripes and name the others as I meet them. Does the name agree with you?"
Stripes nodded vigorously. It'd never had a name before.
"Well Stripes, if you would be so kind as to get some of the others in here, we can begin!" Renee said and turned to a random shelf.
She had to start somewhere.
By the end of the night, Renee had met and name three more Sendings. The first was a rather small, shy sending with a slightly greyish stripe down its back. It reminded her of the skunk from the old earth movie Bambi. So that sending was named Flower. The next was a slim sending with stars covering its entire body. So Renee named that one Constellation, Con for short. The third had no other distinguishing qualities except for a rather large celery shape on the right side of its chest. She named that one E.C. for Extremely large Celery stick. So with Con, E.C., Flower and Stripes beside her, she tackled the enormous job in front of her.
By the end of the night, Renee had six different reference piles and about half the shelf done. Calling it a night, she sent the four sendings back to wherever it was they'd come from, and wandered around the TARDIS until she found her room. She collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.