13 In a Million, Chapter 7
…And the ball begins to roll….
By Starlite1
"Doc," Jack asked nervously as he walked into the Control room, "Can I ask you something?"
The Doctor's head poked out from beneath the grille, "What can I do for you?"
Sighing, Jack stooped down beside him, "Look." Fishing in his pocket, he pulled out a small velvet box. Opening it, he passed it to the Doctor.
He whistled, "Impressive…When did you pick it up?"
Jack shrugged, "Ages. I guess I've just been carrying it…"
"Waiting." The Doctor completed, "It was the same with the ring I gave to Rose. First alien planet we visited, she spotted it in the window of a shop. She didn't say anything, but I bought it just the same…"
Grinning, Jack took the ring back from the Doctor, "Romantic."
"Look who's talking!" The Doctor retorted indignantly, "I take it you want somewhere fitting that description for tonight?"
"Right in one. Cheers, Doc." Jack saluted, clambering to his feet and heading towards the door.
The Doctor grinned, "Oi, flyboy…You do know you'll be missing out on Lunar Park?"
Jack clutched his heart, "How could you?"
"Quite easily. After all, I owe the twins a belated birthday present considering the day was blown away with all the commotion…Now I do believe that the rest of the troupe is awaiting our arrival."
IOIOIOIOI
"Tea…" Josie groused, reaching for the pot in a dazed stupor.
"You've already had four cups." Anita commented as she moved the steaming beverage to the other side of the table, whilst attempting to be nonchalant but failing miserably.
Josie shot her a death glare, "Now."
"You know, tea is actually rather good for Gallifreyans." The Doctor said, stealing the
Pot from Anita's hands, "Cheers!"
Josie glared triumphantly at Anita, "See?"
"Four's still overdoing." Anita stated firmly.
"You basically grew up with her, you spent all last summer with her and you still haven't
come to terms with her caffeine addiction?" Adrian asked in astonishment.
Senka snorted, "Rule one: Don't stand between Josie and the teapot."
"Stop it you lot!" Josie snapped, "And speaking of tea, pass the pot!"
"Don't try and resist it, Anita." Adrian consoled, "You'll only be worse off in the end."
"Says you!" Anita shot back, begrudgingly handing it over. The twins instantly pounced upon it, the liquid dark and heavily scented.
"Seems she's not the only one with an addiction." Anita commented smugly.
"You lot!" Rose shouted, poking her head through the door, "Control room, five minutes. Make sure you're actually dressed!"
Instantly the four glanced down guiltily at their pajamas. With a tumultuous scraping of chairs, they bolted.
IOIOIOIOI
He marched back and forth across the grating, boots clicking ominously upon the metal surface. Before him they stood, shuffling nervously even as their eyes remained transfixed upon him.
"TARDIS driving," He began, his voice unnaturally loud in the silent cavern, "Is perhaps one of the most dangerous things you will ever do."
Unable to remain silent, Adrian burst out, "Why are we doing it then?"
An eyebrow shot towards a distant hairline, "Because if you don't, and we end up on our backs, then you lot will be stuck, and I frankly have no intention of being slapped by my mother in law again."
Adrian nodded, "Fair point."
"That being said, we will not stuff up and we will not land in mortal danger-If that's possible for this lot…"
Josie snorted.
"For that, my dear daughter, you can go first."
Apprehensively, she stepped up to the controls.
"Right," he said indicating the first lever, "This is the temporal coordination defractor. Tells you where you're going and how you're getting there. This one's the…."
And so he continued, dancing as nimbly as a ballerina on a sugar high around the console, shouting the names of the various buttons and pulls eagerly, before speeding onto the next one. Josie's head began to spin…
"So!" He finally exclaimed, "You ready to try it for real?"
Shaking in her boots, she stepped up to the console, trying to follow the myriad of
directions her father shouted at her.
Within seconds they were thrown sideways.
"Damn!" She cursed, pulling herself up from the ground.
Behind her the others dragged themselves to their feet.
"Might as well see where we are." Senka muttered, "Is the atmosphere breathable?"
The Doctor danced around to the monitor, "Yep. Bit cool out there, but what you're wearing should be fine."
Shrugging, they trooped over to the door. Gingerly, Anita pushed the door.
Then shut it again immediately.
"What?!" Josie demanded.
"Just a war going on out there…"
"Let me see!" she ordered, pushing the door open. Her head poked out into the cool air, and flinched as a troupe of soldiers riding what looked like a cross between zebras, lions and hippopotamuses thundered by.
"Right." She stated, pausing momentarily, "Shall we try that again?"
IOIOIOIOI
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