A/N: I'm back! Updates may still be scarce, especially because my friends have chosen me to direct our Doctor Who tribute episode this spring. But school does provide me enough time to write, and there should be another chapter typed up and posted before the New Year. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Disclaimer: My last name is a derivative of the French word for strength. It is not Moffat. Besides, I'm a girl!
When I finish playing after a few minutes, I hear quiet applause. "Great job, Ashe. I haven't heard you play in forever." I laugh.
Martha gets up from her spot on my bed."I've got to get back to base, Ashe. I'll ask the Doctor to bring you back in a few months."
"Christmas?"
"You'll have to miss it. I can't risk you getting sick. But all of your books are in the second suitcase, so you can keep up with school."
"Christmas!"
Martha sighs. "No, Ashe, you can't have Christmas this year. I'm sorry, but that's final." I punch my bed, frustrated. Christmas is important for me. It's the one constant in my crazy life. If I don't have Christmas, I'll probably feel like time hasn't gone by in a year. My mind needs Christmas to stay sane.
I look at Martha, eyes wide. She shakes her head. "I've got to head back to UNIT, Ashe. I'll see you." She walks away.
I walk behind her, just far enough that she won't realize. She turns the corner, and when I turn after her, I see the entrance room again. But I didn't reverse my steps from before. The TARDIS is seriously transdimensional.
Martha is talking to the Doctor, but they're too quiet for me to hear them. Eventually, I see them hug from my spot in the shadows, and Martha leaves.
I slowly approach the Doctor as he runs around the... thing in the middle of the room.
"Hello, Ashe. Just give me a minute." I nod as he slows down, pressing one last button while pulling a lever. "There we go."
He turns around, smiling. "Welcome to the TARDIS!"
He leads me around on a tour. "She's constantly redesigning herself. If you ever need a specific room, just think of it. I have the feeling she likes you." I hear quiet humming from the walls. A sentient spaceship. Okay.
The Doctor shows me around the kitchen, where I determine he has a peculiar affinity for bananas. Next, we head to the lounge, where he shows me a list of games for the dozen or so consoles he has plugged in. Our third stop is the gym, though he insists that it's more of a playground for teenagers and adults. I climb inside the giant bouncy castle, and we enjoy ourselves for a few minutes.
"Let's go in the pool," he calls. I freeze, but he just rolls his eyes. "Oh, don't be a pussycat. There are extra swimsuits in the changing room." He points for my benefit.
I step inside, hearing absolutely nothing. Silence is golden. I agree with him-the TARDIS must like me a lot. It offers me a rack of different swimsuits, all different colors and materials. I touch each one before picking a navy blue tank top with grey shorts. Simple, yet perfect.
Stepping outside with my new clothes on, I see the Doctor is already in the pool, wearing black swim shorts. "The water's warm, Ashe! I'll catch you!" he calls, pausing in his laps to help me.
"No."
"Why?" I shrug in response, but I do let my feet dangle over the edge of the pool. "Spoilsport," he mutters. Suddenly, he grabs my feet and pulls me underwater.
"Help!" I scream, flailing around and attempting to keep my head above the water.
"I've got you, Ashe. Whoa. Shh." The Doctor gently takes my hands, gripping them to keep me afloat. "Can't you swim?"
"My coordination's awful."
"Okay, then." He pulls me to the edge. "You'll have to practice this kind of thing before we can explore."
"Explore?" I ask, climbing out. I've stayed at home my whole life, wherever home was at the time. Exploration means facing the unknown. That's not enjoyable.
"Or, of course, wecould just stay in the TARDIS."
"Stay, then." I head to the changing room. Somehow, just the few minutes of exercise have already exhausted me.
I look at the rack of clothes. I'm sure, with all of these spares, the TARDIS won't mind my taking my favorite. It hums in response.
Drying off quickly, I put my regular clothes-a simple grey shirt and soft jeans-back on. Even though I hurried, though, the Doctor has disappeared by the time I come out.
I retrace my steps as best as I can. Still, I'm lost within a few minutes. I think of my room, and the TARDIS hums quietly, reassuring me.
I cough.
All of a sudden, I can't stop coughing. Just like Dad.
I bend over in an attempt to quiet myself down. By the time my coughing subsides a few minutes later, my throat is raw.
"Ashe, where are you?" I hear my name being called in the distance. The Doctor's cries are frantic.
"Help," I croak, hoping he hears me. He doesn't, and his calls grow quieter.
Clap. Clap. Clap. Whistle. Whistle. Whistle. Clap. Clap. Clap.
"I hear you, Ashe. Keep it up." So he knows Morse code. He recognized my SOS. That's good.
I repeat my message three more times before he turns the corner. He barely glances at me before realizing that something happened.
"Oh, no. Can you walk, Ashe?" I shake my head."Can I carry you?" I nod weakly, and he slips one arm under my knees and the other under my shoulders.
He runs with me through the halls of the TARDIS. When we reach our destination, he mutters "Medbay" while shoving the door open with one shoulder.
The first thing I notice is the smell-or more, the absence of one. He said medbay, didn't he? Why doesn't it have that awful smell?
The Doctor carefully lowers me onto a bed as he pulls something out of his pocket. "I'm just scanning you, Ashe. Shh. This is a sonic screwdriver. It can do pretty much anything, except for-"
Deadlocks, I sign. Too specific.
He stares at me. "Martha told you?"
No. I figured it out.
Smiling, he moves the sonic screwdriver over my body. "You're seriously good, Ashe. One second." As he walks to the counter, I close my eyes. "Stay awake, Ashe." I sigh.
Opening my eyes, I watch as he comes back.
Too bright. Hurts.
"I'll turn it down, Ashe. But first, news." I look at him weakly. "Bad news first. Yes, it's Raxacoricofallapatorian plague." I groan. "Good news, though: your mother had the recessive defense in her genetic code. I'm surprised Martha didn't realize. She passed it on to you." I smile as he walks away, decreasing the lighting. "You'll still be coughing, but it'll be gone within a few days."
Days? It hurts. I look him in the eye for once, pleading.
"If you're sure you want something, Ashe." I nod, and he walks back to the counter. I look around the dimly-lit room, noticing the locks on some cabinet doors. Martha told me she did that at one point, just in case someone else got inside.
Finally, he turns around from his place at the counter. "I'm warning you, Ashe, this stuff tastes awful." I foll my eyes. Taking the offered cup, I swallow it quickly.
Good thing I don't taste. He bursts out laughing.
"I'll get something to do until the medicine starts working. What do you want?"
"What is that circle language?" I croak, my mind racing.
"Gallifreyan. Why?"
"Teach me."
Please review! All reviews receive virtual Nestle Tollhouse cookies!
PS Sorry for any mistakes, this is all on my Kindle.
