Watching from a safe distance, Sam and the Doctor stood in the doorway of the TARDIS and watched as the pirate ship burst into flames as it came into contact with the surface of the sun.
"It's a shame about all those jewels in there..." Sam murmured as the Sun flashed brilliantly and the Doctor just snorted through his nose.
"Not to worry. The safe was Sun proof just like the pods. We'll call someone to come pick it up after things have settled down." He explained before they shut the doors and soared off into space. "However, I do believe that they will find that one diamond got lost in the wreckage..."
Sam just turned to look at him in confusion before he reached into his pocket and withdrew the large diamond that they had been examining when talking to the bear men about the pods.
"And I thought that maybe you could put it to good use?" He beamed when he saw her eyes light up before she took the large diamond into her hand before tackling him again in a hug. It most certainly would help, seeing as how she had been running low on money ever since she had left Tony in Malibu.
The two could only walk quietly around the TARDIS, having taken the bear men back to their home where they would no longer be bothered with things like lava stones and slavery.
The Doctor just tossed his sonic up into the air before catching it, eyeing the other one sitting on the console of the TARDIS. And that in itself was another question that was tugging on the back of his mind.
"How did you ever get hold of a second sonic screwdriver? And which one is mine?" Sam just smirked before leaning on the center console.
"This one." She picked up the one on the console. "Is your's." She tossed it to him and he tossed the other one to her. "And I found a perception filter machine generator thing in the room and I knew you forgot your screwdriver. I would have told you that it wasn't your's but I just thought it would come in handy to have two and look at that! It did!" She beamed and he could only boop her on the nose in pride. "And I guess I have a question for you..." She said as she tilted her head to the side. "You put a perception filter on me in the beginning?"
"The TARDIS key I told you to watch. It was just a safety precaution and I thought it would come handy and look at that! It did!" He mimicked her words and she could only push his shoulder slightly while shaking her head.
"One more question."
"Fine. Ask away."
"Your regeneration that wanted me to change... It was the 10th one wasn't it? That's why I couldn't see his memories, right?" The Doctor's lips only pressed together in a firm line, still not proud of his actions of when he was younger.
He could only nod and the blonde woman only looked at him for a moment before she strode forward and wrapped her arms around the Doctor who stiffened for a moment before easing his arms around her, a crooked smile pulling on his lips.
Reaching one arm out onto the console, he pulled the final level and the TARDIS grew quiet as they landed.
Sam immediately pulled back and gazed at the strange man in confusion.
"What's going on?" She asked quietly. Yet, he did not answer and instead the time machine remained silent.
The ancient Time Lord only stepped away from her and leaned on the center console of his ship.
"Doctor, where are we?"
"Go look." He commanded her and his quiet tone caused her stomach unease.
"What's out there?"
"Nothing bad. I promise. Just go look." She didn't reply and only watched him for a long moment before turning and slowly approaching the exit. Pulling open one of the front doors, a warm breeze hit her face.
Turning her head to the right, she found herself looking at a city whose lights sparkled brilliantly in the night, many homes and businesses glowing with life. Cars could also be seen moving rapidly in the distance as they raced along the paved roads. Billboards were lit up, displaying many popular products and movies that had yet to premier.
The place was unsettlingly familiar.
Turning her head back to look slightly to the left, she felt her face pale considerably when she saw where it was that they landed.
Saying nothing as she observed the house, she watched as two figures moved about the rooms inside, going about their lives as if a big blue time machine hadn't landed outside their grand home.
Feeling someone come up beside her, she glanced over momentarily at the Doctor who came to lean on the door beside her as they continued to watch the people or rather, just one of the particular people.
Looking over at his companion, the Doctor's ancient eyes softened upon seeing how intent her eyes were as she watched her old friend go about his life.
"Why'd you bring me here?" She asked after what felt like hours of silence had passed.
"He's your friend, Samantha." The alien replied, crossing his lanky arms over his chest, his green eyes flicking back to the dark haired man in his home.
"He was my friend." The two of them watched as the man suddenly sat down in his bedroom, his body silhouetted by the light streaming in through the door.
It wasn't a moment later that a second person entered the room and judging by the length of their hair and the curves of their body, Sam knew that it was a woman. A woman that she didn't particularly like.
"He was my friend." She repeated herself as if she had to remind herself of what he had done.
The figure approached the one seated on the bed. Together, they talked for a moment before the woman bent down and pressed a kiss to his lips and ruffled his short hair before exiting the room after giving his cheek a loving pat.
The man watched after her for a moment before he leaned forward so his elbows rested upon his knees.
Running his hands over his face, Sam could tell that he was both exhausted and frustrated about something. She just didn't know what.
From the distance that they were at, Sam squinted slightly and her eyes widened when she realized that his shoulders were shaking, his face still buried in his hands. He was crying.
"Oh, Stark..." She murmured, her heart sinking upon seeing how distressed he was with everything that was and had happened.
"He misses you, Jo." The Doctor's quiet voice rang in her ears and she could only frown slightly, guilt washing over her.
"And I miss him, too." She began, a tear dripping from her hazel eye and she quickly wiped it away. "But he made his choice and I am only honoring what he wants..." She explained before turning back and entering back into the TARDIS.
"You claim to miss him, yet you won't even tell him that." She was slightly surprised upon hearing the angry tone in the Doctor's voice.
"I can't tell him because-"
"You can't tell him because you are scared, Samantha Greene." She stopped in her explanation when he interrupted her, her mouth hung open slightly at the man's aggressive tone. "You are a coward. And all because you are afraid that he will deny you friendship again."
"Then if I am so cowardly, tell me what I am to do! Since you are apparently the master of relationships! Considering that most of your companions don't even make it back home when you take them on adventures!" She snapped and instantly, she regretted her words when she saw his shoulders slump in total defeat. "Oh... Doctor..." She said, realizing her mistake as soon as her words left her mouth. Taking a step towards him, she reached her hand towards him but he shied away from it.
"No, you're right." He said, walking back over to the TARDIS console and leaning on it. "I don't take good enough care of my companions." He then turned to face the console, leaning his hands on it so it supported his body. He then suddenly bounded his fists upon he machine in rage. "AND THAT'S WHY THEY'RE GONE!" He shouted, his voice echoing around the time machine. When he spoke next, his tone was much softer. "That's why I lost them. But I've still got you, Jo... I've still got my girl of time."
"And I've got you, Doctor." She smiled a teary smile, guilt still sweeping over her as she stood before the ancient man.
The two of them stepped forward and embraced the other, the Doctor just holding the girl in his arms.
"Just give him a chance. Alright?" The Doctor pulled back slightly, wiping the tears out from underneath her eyes. She nodded slowly. "Because as time passes, the heart grows fonder of what it wants most. And when the time comes when you two make up, it will be wonderful." He bopped her on the nose. "Just like you."
Suddenly spinning away from her, he began to maneuver about the TARDIS as he flipped a variety of levers, spun a wheel, and pressed buttons down on a circuit board before the time machine began to wheeze and they moved again in time and space.
"Now where are we going?"
"You're going home, Jo. I promised you that you'd be back in time for supper." He said and she only frowned, looking back at the TARDIS doors in worriment.
"I suppose it would be best..." She sighed sadly, raising her hazel eyes to look at him and he could only smile slightly before adjusting his bow tie. She then began to back towards the doors before she turned and began to walk regularly. "Actually, Doctor, before I go I have one more request!" She then spun around, catching the man off guard. He only raised his eyebrow, silently asking her to go on, knowing that he would comply with anything because she was his most favorite girl and she always would be. "Can I see him?" He then raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Can I see the one who wanted me to live forever? To be your companion forever?"
The Time Lord could only smile before slowly nodding his head. Stepping towards him, he placed his forehead against her own before placing his fingers on her temples.
And she felt herself fall away again. And she felt herself reborn as the Doctor. And she felt the love that he held for her.
She watched from his eyes as Sam picked up the strange orb in the desert before she began to change. And she felt the swell of warmth in his chest when he knew that he would no longer, ever be alone in the Universe.
But then he also felt guilt and he felt selfish for doing what he did. He felt like he ruined her life. But then he also felt something, knowing that her future wouldn't be so dark after all.
He would eventually redeem himself with her. He was sure of that.
Sam once again entered her body and she felt a sense of calm wash over her. She, without a doubt, loved the Doctor and she was so glad that she had met him.
He was and always would be her best friend.
"Samantha, I want you to make me a promise. A promise that you'll keep your head up, even when your days grow darkest, alright?"
"I promise." He watched as her eyes grew dark for a moment as sadness entered their depths.
"And if you ever feel the need to go on another adventure, you have my number!" He bopped her on the nose. "Now, you best be off. You've got a lot of work to do!" He murmured after finishing another hug with his blonde friend.
She then smiled and saluted him before moving off towards the TARDIS doors again.
"Samantha Jo, wait!" She turned back as her hand reached the handle of the wonderful blue box.
The Doctor quickly snatched the copy of the sonic off the console before tossing it to her and she easily caught it.
"I already have one. And I don't need another one lying about. Take it." He instructed her and she turned the sonic over in her hands, her fingers gently touching the green bulb on top. "Take it as a memory of me."
"Wait... What?" She began to panic, not liking how the words sounded.
"Who knows! Next time we meet, I might have a different face, different body! It might even be a younger version me! The Universe is full of possibilities!"
"If you get any younger, Doctor, you'll be a twelve year old boy..." Sam snickered at her own remark and the Doctor just deadpanned as he looked back at her.
"Oh, you know what I mean!" He told her and she beamed before slipping the sonic into her pocket and pushing the TARDIS door open before peering out into the dark skies of Jamaica.
"And Jo..." He called after her one more time. She turned back to face him. "Don't forget about me! Please!"
The blonde woman could only smile and shake her head in disbelief. "No one could ever forget about you, Doctor..." She murmured. Turning to the door, she pressed a kiss to the blue wood, the TARDIS letting out a loud purr as she did the action.
She could only smile at the bluest blue in the Universe, thankful that she had brought her the Doctor.
"See you again, old girl..." She whispered into the wood before stepping out onto the sidewalk, shutting the TARDIS door behind her.
Turning around, she took a step back as the familiar wheezing sound filled her ears and the TARDIS began to dematerialize right before her. But as she stood before the grand box, she felt a familiar weight around her neck and she began to panic.
"Doctor! Wait! You forgot your..." But it was to late. The TARDIS had already disappeared before she could even return her key to the impossible blue box.
Now that I really think back on that day, I believe that the Doctor meant to leave a key to the TARDIS with me. It was a silent promise that he would one day return, whether it be to get the key back, to pop in for a visit, or to take me on another adventure across the Universe, he would return. The Doctor had been popping in and out of my time stream since they day I was born.
He was a one thousand year old Time Lord from the planet of Gallifrey, traveling all across time and space in a TARDIS stuck as a blue Police Public Call Box because the Chameleon Circuit was broken.
I had lived all the Doctor's lives with him. I had felt his pain, his regret, his happiness, his rage, his love.
And I knew that he was the most wonderful man in the Universe.
And I seriously hoped that he would never stop dropping in on me, unexpected or not. And you want to know why?
Because the Doctor gives me hope.
Hey guys. Sorry this update took so long. I've had this done for awhile. I've just yet to publish it.
I have been busy rewriting Thunderstruck. It is taking forever but I'm almost finished.
I don't think I will close this story yet. I can always write more Doctor Who and Avengers.
Anyway, thanks for reading my story.
Love,
Blue