Timelines
by Chomper318
Disclaimer: BBC owns all.
Author's Note: This short fic has expanded due to the muse singing to me. Reviews are always welcome.
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Chapter 2: Lost in Time
It's quiet in the TARDIS, and he doesn't like it. During these moments where there're no distractions to occupy his thoughts, his brain starts to think, remember, and mourn for all those who he has lost. Lost in time. How many has he lost? Too many. He thinks back to Romana.
Haughty and arrogant Romana with her criticisms. Oh, how the Doctor smiles at the memories. Romana strikes the Doctor as…icy when he first met her. Over time, particularly after her regeneration, she changes and accepts the Doctor for who he is. They're friends, companions, fellow Time Lord/Lady who're out traveling about the universe. The Doctor stares off into space and replays what was in his mind. His lips tug upwards every now and then as he takes a trip down memory lane until he remembers that Romana is died. Died because of the Time War. Died because he can no longer sense her (or any of them) in his mind. Died because of him.
He shakes his head and walks towards the console. He needs to do something. Rescue someone or something. Now. He strokes the console and says, "Come on, girl. Take me somewhere. Anywhere."
And with that statement, he spins the dial and pulls the lever.
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The TARDIS wheezes and whirls until she finally grinds to a halt. The Doctor grabs his long brown coat from the railings and heads out the door. He wonders where (and when) the TARDIS chose for him. He walks down the paved road and notes the brick houses with the Union Jack hanging out their windows. He continues to walk down the empty road that is devoid of anyone or thing when he gets a sinking feeling that he has been here before. He quickens his steps and sees the flyers on the lamppost. Missing.
"You've got to be kidding me!" cries the Doctor as he twirls around and takes in his surrounding. London. 2012. Olympics. Rose.
He turns around and practically runs back to the TARDIS. He wrenches the door open.
"Why?" he asks as he started to pull random levers and switch random switches.
He needs to leave this place. He has to go and travel elsewhere—anywhere but here where Rose is so close. Oh, Rose. He slows down in his frantic need to escape from London, 2012. His mind wanders.
Rose. Sweet, brave, fantastic Rose. He knows he should leave. Timelines and whatnot, but. He undoes the levers and switches. He gently strokes the console and then he leaves again.
He spots her farther down the paved road and quickly ducks behind a car. She's alone, and she's pick-axing the road. He looks around and aside from the city worker who's yelling at her, she's alone. Where is he? Must be lost in a child's scribbles. He relaxes and just watches her.
She wears her blonde hair in a ponytail that day. A bright yellow shirt over black pants with a light blue jeans jacket. She's beautiful.
Just then, she looks up and he ducks down. Too close. He slowly pokes his head up and one quick glance back at his Rose, he starts to head back to the TARDIS.
Once inside, he walks up to the console and quietly says, "Thank you."