After his shower, during which he had argued with himself about whether or not to check on the newest arrival, he stepped out into the hall. He let the TARDIS lead him, following the gentle pull. He came to a door, with a large A in the middle, though he wasn't sure if that was done for Anna or him.
He knocked and getting no response he opened it, finding it empty. The only indication that she had been there was her shoes place neatly by the dresser. He closed the door again, knowing now that he at least had to find her to ask if she was okay. Her world had changed today and she deserved to have someone care enough to ask.
He found himself at the library, which the trio frequented, but he was a bit surprised because this wasn't usually someone's first stop. He could hear low music inside, classical, and he opened the door slowly.
The Doctor could just make her out, sitting on the sofa and he moved quietly into the room. The music wasn't of Earth, it was a composer called Omnom. Great music, but he doubted Anna selected it herself.
He wasn't trying to sneak up on her, but she didn't seem to notice he was there. He took in her form, feet pulled up beside her, book resting in her lap, her interest clearly captured.
He didn't mean to stare but he couldn't help it. This moment she was an innocent little Human. And one adventure, one day…though he really tried to prolong it…would change that. She would be harder, stronger maybe, but never this girl again. And he didn't want to look away.
But he did, he wouldn't get caught staring, so he moved around the couch.
"Hi," she said to him and looked up, her eyes dancing briefly around the library. He thought for a moment she might ask if it was okay to be there, but he had told she could go anywhere if the door opened, and she didn't speak.
"Hi," he told her. "I just wanted to check and see if you were okay."
"Oh," she smiled at him. "Sure, thanks."
He nodded. "So what are you reading? Anything good?"
She flipped back to the cover for a split second before returning to her current page. "Planet E3A5 and its eight moons."
He suppressed a smile, "There are Human books on that side," he pointed to the opposite wall.
"Mmmm," she agreed looking back down. "Where is the fun in that?"
"Too true," he agreed hoping he wasn't forcing a conversation if she didn't want to have one. "Read anything interesting?"
She nodded. "I grabbed it because I was thinking that eight moons must make the tide a bear…but apparently the planet is uninhabited so it doesn't really matter."
"Went there once, nice view if you can find a dry spot."
"I imagine," she told him softly.
He really shouldn't do this, he should walk away and let her read but he didn't. "Would you like to see real space?"
She nodded. "I would love to."
He held out his hand for her, not an uncommon gesture for him, but he felt the slightest of trembles and for a single beat his hearts missed.
She moved to put the book up but he told her to leave it and they began to walk. He made idol chatter until they reached the room he was taken her to. The Observatory.
Often there was nothing to see, but he hadn't taken them into the vortex, so they were just sort of floating in space, in the Fi quadrant.
This room changed often, to suit the observer and right now it held a single couch facing the windows. She let him lead her there and it was only after she sat that he followed trying to keep a respectable distance.
He let them be silent, taking in the sights before he pointed to a distant speak of light. "That right there is called the Blue Zone," he explained.
She looked at him, and he didn't try to stop the fall into the wonder that shone in her eyes. This was why he continued to travel.
She let him explain to his heart's content, and she was actually listening. Lots of times people pretended and he just let them because it felt good to talk. It helped to keep the empty at bay but she was really taking interest.
It was some time before he noticed her head start to droop and he didn't hold it against her. She had to be exhausted. He didn't stop talking, but made his words slow and about nothing in particular anymore.
At last her breathing was slow and steady, and he felt no qualms about lifting her and carrying her to her new room. He closed the door softly behind her and smiled.
He realized for the first time in so long he had spent hours without feeling any pain.