The Doctor never thought that clean clothes would feel so good. He was in the tunnel only a fraction of time compared to Pranis, but hoped that it would be several lifetimes before he was subjected to that again!
They had to go back to the Tardis to find another set of clean clothes, and the Doctor was dressed in his familiar day suit again. Going to the closet for a pair of shoes, his hand paused over the choices. Pushing the shoes to the side, he reached into the back and felt around a bit. Ah – there we go. He ran his hand over his beloved trainers, brushing off some dust.
He needed to start living again. He had shut himself away for the past year, still in shock at losing so many friends and loved ones in one blow.
The memories again swarmed through the tiny crack he allowed, and he sat down for a minute to visit with them.
He said goodbye to Martha, Capt. Jack, Mickey, Jackie, and Pete. And Rose – he left her there with his double. Saying goodbye to Rose destroyed one heart, but what happened to Donna destroyed the other one. To save her life, he had to erase all of her memories from the time that she knew him. And she was brilliant. She was the best friend he had ever had, and now he never existed to her.
He didn't like who he had become this past year. In trying to avoid the pain, he had closed himself off from everything. He often spent weeks alone in his Tardis, just docked somewhere in space. That wasn't healthy. Pranis inadvertently awakened something that had gone dormant within him.
He needed a happy medium. Pranis was ok – he was tough, intelligent and can drink him under the table. He would not ever again travel with a companion. But a friend…now that he could do. It would be best, though, if those friends firmly remained males. Not Capt Jack type male….but Pranis type male.
Females would be for an evening at a pub or a turn around a dance floor. No more female friends! As long as he could live with those rules, he could come out of his self imposed banishment.
With a new resolution for his life decided, he slipped his feet into his trainers, and after tying them, stood up and bounced a bit on the balls of his feet. Now he was ready to run again!
…………………………………………………………………………
He met Pranis in the control room, his long hair still damp from his shower. "Ready to go?" Pranis asked.
The Doctor nodded. "An official meeting with a real Princess. That's not something I do every day," he said.
"Oh, I have dinner with Mother all the time. She's like reigning royalty on my planet. Father is the one who holds the office of Lead Elder, but Mother is the uncrowned Queen. You would like her." Pranis chatted as they locked up the Tardis and made their way to the transport.
"What would I like about her?" he asked.
Pranis replied: "Her wisdom, her calmness, her sense of fairness. And she's a wicked card player. If Father can't be on her team, he bows out of the game altogether."
He spoke of his parents with obvious love and respect, and the Doctor had to agree – he would like Mother, he was sure. He thought, rule modification #1 – older attached women were ok. It was the young ones – like the Princess – who must be avoided at all costs! Then again….what was "older" to a 900 plus year old Time Lord? He grinned to himself, concluding with "age is a matter of perspective."
The two men were again greeted by Chancellor Shue upon their arrival, and this time were ushered into the Princess's receiving room. They stopped just inside the door, and in a synchronized gesture, both bowed deeply to acknowledge her station.
"Doctor, please, come in!" The Princess exclaimed. "Pranis, thank you for coming as well!"
She indicated places for them to sit at a long table, the Doctor in the middle and Pranis off to one end. The other participants started filing in, and the Doctor found himself jumping to his feet several times to shake hands and return greetings.
The signing ceremony was elaborate, although cut short because of the late start. After the last copy of the treaty was giving to the final participant, the Princess stood and addressed the room.
"We have been bestowed with more blessings this day than can be counted. Our very own treaty negotiator, the Doctor, and his capable assistant, Pranis, have saved us all from certain death. This treaty was not wanted by other parties, but they could not succeed in their attempt to destroy this new friendship between us."
"We owe our lives and our economy to our friends from the Shadow Proclamation, and will acknowledge the anniversary every year at tomorrow's date with a sports competition that will be held in the memory and honor of our successes of this day."
The Princess then added: "Doctor, Pranis, will you approach please?"
As the men made their way to the front of the Princess, Chancellor Shue was holding a box to her from which she removed a medal that was hooked to a bright ribbon.
"Pranis, we are bestowing upon you the highest honor that we can give to an off world visitor for valor and service. We consider you brother and know that you are welcomed here at any time."
Pranis bowed his head and the Princess slipped the ribbon over it.
"Doctor," she now turned towards the other man. "When we were told that it would be you coming here, all of us knew that we were in capable hands. Never in our wildest imaginings would we dream that you would be our hero, saving us from the hands of an enemy who sought to end our existence. Our hearts are yours and we thank you." She repeated the gesture of placing the ribbon over his head, and as he raised his face to look at her, she threw her arms around him and kissed him on the lips.
In shock, the Doctor stood there, while applause broke out around the room. Pranis met the eyes of the Chancellor, who winked at him. The Princess finally stepped back, turned, and walked out of the room, her group of attendees hurrying after her.
He looked at Pranis. "Didn't see that one coming."
Pranis laughed. "I did. Two hours ago." He turned to make his way out of the room, leaving the Doctor to try to keep up.
It was difficult, as so many people wanted to shake his hand and congratulate him. More than one of them coyly asked if he would be remaining on the planet to woo their Princess, to which he gave a diplomatic excuse for having to leave.
Chancellor Shue joined them in their rooms and Pranis brought out a bottle of wick nectar. The three men toasted the treaty and the capture of the Tedgims, and with a couple of winks and nudges, also toasted the Doctor and the Princess.
For his part, the Doctor did not participate in neither the drinking nor the toasting. He did, however, tremendously enjoy the camaraderie of the two men and acknowledging the end of a very long day.
The next morning brought an early knock on his door.
"Doctor? Doctor! I've been told to wake you up, sir. You have to come to the stadium to be briefed on today's contests. I have your competition gear with me, sir. Please, wake up!"
The Doctor shot up in his bed, remembering with horror that he had to compete. And in that very second, a jolt of pain ran through his legs, reminding him of his activity of the day before and what a year of lack of exercise would do to a man's muscles.
He groaned.